Article 1.5. Alternative Plan For Counties With Populations In Excess Of Six Million of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 1.5.

(a) The retirement plan created by this article shall be known as Retirement Plan E.
  (b) This article shall be applicable in the retirement system of any county with a population in excess of six million, if the board of supervisors executes a memorandum of understanding with employee representatives and adopts, by majority vote, a resolution providing that the article shall be applicable.
  (c) The purpose of this article is to provide an optional, noncontributory retirement plan for general members as an alternative to the provisions and benefits otherwise contained in this chapter.
  (d) The retirement benefits of (1) all general members employed after the date this article is made operative and who elect the plan created by this article and (2) existing general members who transfer to the plan herein created, shall be governed by this article.
  (e) In the event of a conflict, this article shall supersede and prevail over other provisions or application of provisions otherwise contained in this chapter.
  (f) Except as otherwise provided below, the provisions contained in this chapter shall apply:
  (1) Article 9 (commencing with Section 31700) of this chapter shall not be applicable.
  (2) Article 10 (commencing with Section 31720) of this chapter shall not be applicable.
  (3) Article 11 (commencing with Section 31760) of this chapter shall not be applicable.
  (4) Article 12 (commencing with Section 31780) of this chapter shall not be applicable.
  (5) Article 16.5 (commencing with Section 31870) of this chapter shall not be applicable.
  (g) Article 15 (commencing with Section 31830) dealing with reciprocal benefits shall be applicable, excluding those provisions dealing with disability retirement, death benefits, and the requirement relating to the deposit of accumulated member contributions.
  (h) Any amendments to or modifications of this chapter subsequent to the effective date of this article shall not affect the provisions of this article unless mutually agreed to by the employer and employee representatives and adopted by majority resolution of the board of supervisors.
  (i) Except as otherwise provided, any member who upon retirement receives a retirement pension calculated in accordance with sections or provisions added to this article subsequent to the effective date of this article shall have his or her pension calculated under each such section or provision only for the period of time that those sections or provisions were in effect, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the employer and its employee representatives.

Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions contained in this section, govern the construction of this article.
  (a) As used in subdivisions (f) and (g) of Section 31491, subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 31492, and Section 31495, "board" means the board of investments. In all other cases, "board" means the board of retirement.
  (b) "Employer" means the county or district or agency whose employees are members of the retirement system of the county.
  (c) "Federal system" means the Old Age and Survivors Insurance provisions of the Social Security Act.
  (d) "Final compensation" means the average annual compensation earnable by a general member during any three years, whether or not consecutive, elected by the member at or before the time an application for retirement is filed or, if no election is made, during the three years in which the member or former member last earned compensation preceding retirement. If a member or former member has less than three years of service, final compensation shall be determined by dividing total compensation by the number of months of service credited to the member or former member and multiplying by 12. In no event shall final compensation include any disability benefits received by the member or former member under a disability plan provided by the employer.
  (e) "Member" or "general member" means an employee hired on a monthly permanent basis of at least three-quarter time, as defined by the employer, except an employee eligible for safety membership.
  (f) "Primary insurance amount" means the monthly retirement benefit payable under the federal system at the age at which full retirement benefits are available under the federal system. This age is deemed to be age 65 until June 30, 1983.
  (g) "Service" means the period of uninterrupted employment of a member and the time in which a member or former member (1) is totally disabled, and (2) is receiving disability benefits or is eligible to receive disability benefits either during or after any elimination or qualifying period, under a disability plan provided by the employer. Except as otherwise herein provided, a member shall not be credited with service for any payroll period in which no compensation is received by the member. Unless otherwise provided, service shall not include military service or public service other than service with the employer.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in Section 31490.5 or 31490.6, there shall be no general members' contributions under the plan created by this article.
  (b) A member who transfers to the retirement plan created by this article shall have refunded, within a reasonable period of time, not to exceed nine months from the date of receipt of election to transfer by the board, the member's accumulated contributions, together with interest thereon, which are credited to the member's account. Interest shall be credited to the June 30 or December 31 date, whichever is later, immediately preceding the date of the refund warrant. A refund under this section shall be payable to the member.

(a) Except as provided in Sections 31490.5 and 31494, and under reciprocal provisions of this article, a member who was in public service prior to becoming a member may not elect to receive credit in this retirement plan for that public service time, and shall not receive credit for that prior public service.
  (b) Absence from work or termination of employment while an eligible employee or disability beneficiary, as defined by a disability plan provided by the employer, shall not be considered as breaking the continuity of service.
  (c) For the purposes of subdivision (b) of Section 31491, an unpaid leave of absence of not to exceed one year, or a leave of absence for which an employee receives any benefit that has been approved by the employer, shall not be considered an interruption of service. However, a payroll period in which no compensation is received by a member shall not be considered as service in calculating the benefits otherwise provided under this article.

(a) An active member governed by the provisions of this article may elect, by written notice filed with the board, to make contributions and receive credit under this plan for service for which he or she would not otherwise be entitled to receive credit pursuant to this article.
  (b) Any member who elects to receive service credit pursuant to this section shall have the same purchase rights and shall contribute to the retirement fund the amount that a member in the contributory plan wishing to purchase the same service would have to contribute, based on the rates applicable to a member of the contributory plan with the same date of entry into membership. Payment shall be made by lump-sum payment or by installment payments over a period not to exceed 10 years, prior to the effective date of his or her retirement or, if applicable, prior to the date provided in Section 31485.8.
  (c) No member may receive any service credit under this section for which he or she has not completed payment pursuant to subdivision (b) before the effective date of his or her retirement or, if applicable, before the date provided in Section 31485.8. Subject to the limitations of federal law, a member who has elected to make payments in installments may complete payment by lump sum at any time prior to the effective date of his or her retirement.
  (d) Any sums paid by a member pursuant to this section shall be considered to be and administered as contributions by the member.
  (e) As used in this section, the "contributory plan" means that contributory plan otherwise available to new members of the system on the election date.
  (f) This section is not operative until the board of supervisors elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

(a) An active member may elect, by written notice filed with the board, to make contributions pursuant to this section and to receive up to five years of service credit in the retirement system for additional retirement credit, if the member has completed at least five years of credited service with that retirement system.
  (b) As used in this section, "additional retirement credit" means time that does not otherwise qualify as county service, public service, military service, medical leave of absence, or any other time recognized for service credit by the retirement system.
  (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, service credit for additional retirement credit may not be counted to meet the minimum qualifications for service retirement or for purposes of establishing eligibility for benefits based on 30 years of service, additional ad hoc cost-of-living benefits based on service credit, health care benefits, or any other benefits based upon service credit.
  (d) A member who elects to make contributions and receive service credit for additional retirement credit shall contribute to the retirement fund, prior to the effective date of his or her retirement, by lump-sum payment or by installment payments over a period not to exceed 10 years, an amount that, at the time of commencement of purchase, in the opinion of the board and the actuary, is sufficient to not place any additional financial burden upon the retirement system.
  (e) No member may receive service credit under this section for additional retirement credit that he or she has not completed payment pursuant to subdivision (d) before the effective date of his or her retirement or, if applicable, prior to the date provided in Section 31485.8. Subject to the limitations of United States Internal Revenue Service regulations, a member who has elected to make payment in installments may complete payment by lump sum at any time prior to the effective date of his or her retirement.
  (f) Sums paid by a member pursuant to this section shall be considered to be and administered as contributions by the member.
  (g) This section is not operative until the board of supervisors, by resolution adopted by majority vote, makes this section operative in the county.
  (h) Pursuant to Section 7522.46, this section shall apply only to an application to purchase additional retirement credit that was received by the retirement system prior to January 1, 2013, that is subsequently approved by the system.

Upon the death of an active or former member of the plan established by this article, an amount equal to the accumulated contributions made by the member pursuant to this article, with interest on that amount, shall be paid to the member's beneficiaries.

(a) Retirement of a member or former member who has met the requirements for age and service shall be made by the board, at which time the member or former member becomes a retired member.
  (b) Any member who has completed 10 years of service shall be vested under the plan created by this article.
  (c) Any vested member or vested former member who has attained the age of 65 years may be retired upon filing with the board a written application on a form provided by the board for normal retirement setting forth the desired effective retirement date.
  (d) Any vested member or vested former member who has attained the age of 55 years may be retired upon filing with the board a written application on a form provided by the board for early retirement setting forth the desired effective retirement date.
  (e) The normal retirement pension shall consist of an annual allowance payable in monthly installments for the life of the retired member equal to 2 percent of his or her final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service to the preceding completed month to which the member is entitled to be credited at retirement, not to exceed 35 years, added to 1 percent of the member' s final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service in excess of 35, not to exceed 10 years, reduced by the estimated primary insurance amount, if any, multiplied by the fraction of the number of years of service with the employer subject to coverage under the federal system, not to exceed 35 years, divided by 35. In no event shall the normal retirement pension, when added to the estimated primary insurance amount, exceed 70 percent of the member' s final compensation unless the years of service to which the member is entitled to be credited at retirement exceeds 35, in which case the normal retirement pension, when added to the estimated primary insurance amount, shall not exceed 80 percent of the member's final compensation.
  (f) The early retirement pension shall consist of an annual allowance payable in monthly installments for the life of the retired member in an amount which is the actuarial equivalent of the normal retirement pension to which the retired member would be entitled if otherwise eligible for normal retirement, which shall be computed by multiplying the normal retirement pension by the early retirement adjustment factor set forth opposite the member's age as of the birthday immediately preceding the date of retirement, in the following table:

Age ERA Factor 55 .............................. .39 56 .............................. .43 57 .............................. .47 58 .............................. .51 59 .............................. .56 60 .............................. .61 61 .............................. .67 62 .............................. .74 63 .............................. .82 64 .............................. .90

The ERA Factors set forth in this subdivision shall be used until adjusted by the board in accordance with the interest and mortality tables adopted by the board.
  (g) The board, upon the advice of the actuary, shall establish and adjust, as required, the table of estimated primary insurance amounts, which shall be utilized in computing the retirement benefit. For purposes of this article, the primary insurance amount shall be estimated based on the employee's age and salary as of the date of retirement or the date of termination of a vested member, whichever is applicable, provided that:
  (1) An employee's prior career earnings shall be assumed to have been subject to the federal system and to have increased on a year-to-year basis at a rate equivalent to the rate of increase in the average per worker total wages reported by the Social Security Administration, and
  (2) For those members who have not attained the normal retirement age under the federal system as of the date of retirement (i) future earnings in employment covered by the federal system shall be assumed to continue at the rate of pay received by the employee from the employer as of the date of retirement or the date of termination of a vested member, whichever is applicable, and (ii) future wage bases, as defined by the federal system, shall be assumed to continue at the wage base in effect in the year of retirement or the year of termination of a vested member, whichever is applicable, and (iii) cost-of-living increases in the year of retirement and delayed retirement credit provided under the federal system shall not be included in the calculation of the estimated primary insurance amount.
  (h) The employer shall certify the years of service to be credited at retirement and the final compensation to be utilized in computing the normal and early retirement pension.
  (i) At the time of application for retirement, the member or former member shall provide adequate proof (1) of age and (2) of the eligibility of persons, if any, who at that time would otherwise qualify for the survivor allowance provided for in Section 31492.
  (j) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 31491, any retired member receiving a normal retirement pension shall, as soon as possible but not later than six months following retirement, present evidence required by the board of the retired member's actual primary insurance amount. For purposes of this subdivision, the actual primary insurance amount shall be the amount payable under the federal system on the retired member's date of retirement without regard to delayed retirement credit or any deductions on account of work. Following receipt of that evidence, the board shall adjust the retired member's pension from the date of retirement to equal the amount of the pension to which he or she would have been entitled on that date had the estimated primary insurance amount equaled the actual primary insurance amount.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 31491, any retired member receiving a retirement pension may present evidence in the form required by the board of the retired member's actual primary insurance amount. For the purposes of this section, the actual primary insurance amount shall be the amount being paid under the federal system. Following receipt of that evidence, the board shall adjust the retired member's pension to equal the amount of the pension to which he or she would have been entitled on that date had the estimated primary insurance amount equaled the actual insurance amount.
  (b) The adjustment calculated in subdivision (a) shall be applied to the retired member's pension beginning in the month upon which the retired member presents evidence required by the board.
  (c) This section shall not be operative in any county until the board of supervisors, by resolution adopted by majority vote, makes this section applicable.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 31491, any retired member receiving a retirement pension may present evidence in the form required by the board of the retired member's federal estimated primary insurance amount provided that the retired member is not receiving a federal primary insurance amount. For the purposes of this section, the federal estimated primary insurance amount shall be the amount payable under the federal system as of the retired member' s normal federal retirement age. Should the federal estimated primary insurance amount equal zero, the retired member shall not have his or her pension benefit reduced for an estimated primary insurance amount as required in subdivision (e) of Section 31491.
  (b) Following receipt of that evidence, the board shall adjust the retired member's pension to equal the amount of the pension to which he or she would have been entitled on that date had the estimated primary insurance amount calculated in Section 31491 equaled zero.
  (c) The adjustment calculated in subdivision (a) shall be applied to the retired member's pension beginning in the month upon which the retired member presents evidence required by the board.
  (d) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), upon attaining federal retirement age, the retired member shall submit any evidence as may be required by the board of the retired members' federal estimated or actual primary insurance amount. Following receipt of that evidence, the board shall adjust the retired member's pension in accordance with subdivision (j) of Section 31491.
  (e) This section shall not be operative in any county until the board of supervisors, by resolution adopted by majority vote, makes this section applicable.

(a) Notwithstanding subdivision (f) of Section 31491, for those members retiring on or after the operative date of this section, the early retirement pension shall consist of an annual allowance payable in monthly installments for the life of the retired member in an amount that is the actuarial equivalent of the normal retirement pension to which the retired member would be entitled if otherwise eligible for normal retirement, which shall be computed by multiplying the normal retirement pension by the early retirement adjustment factor set forth opposite the member's age as of the birthday immediately preceding the date of retirement, in the following table:

Age ERA Factor 55 .............................. .3748 56 .............................. .4109 57 .............................. .4511 58 .............................. .4957 59 .............................. .5454 60 .............................. .6009 61 .............................. .6631 62 .............................. .7328 63 .............................. .8113 64 .............................. .8998

(b) For those members retiring on or after the operative date of this section, paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 31491 shall not apply, but with regard to those members who have not attained the age of 62 years as of the date of retirement (1) future earnings in employment covered by the federal system shall be assumed to continue at the rate of pay received by the employee from the employer as of the date of retirement or the date of termination of employment of a vested member, whichever is applicable, until the member attains the age of 62 years, and (2) future wage bases, as defined by the federal system, shall be assumed to continue at the wage base in effect in the year of retirement or the year of termination of employment of a vested member, whichever is applicable, until the member attains the age of 62 years, and (3) cost-of-living increases in the year of retirement and delayed retirement credit provided under the federal system shall not be included in the calculation of the estimated primary insurance amount.
  (c) Notwithstanding subdivision (e) or subdivision (j) of Section 31491, any member who retires on or after the operative date of this section, and after attaining the age of 62 years may, as soon as possible but not later than six months following retirement, present evidence required by the board demonstrating the retired member's actual primary insurance amount. For purposes of this subdivision, the actual primary insurance amount shall be the amount actually payable under the federal system on the retired member's date of retirement without regard to delayed retirement credit or any deductions on account of work, or the estimate of that amount as set forth on a current earnings and benefits estimate statement provided by the Social Security Administration. Following receipt of that evidence, the board shall adjust the retired member's pension from the date of retirement to equal the amount of the pension to which he or she would have been entitled on that date had the estimated primary insurance amount equaled the actual primary insurance amount.
  (d) This section shall only be applicable to Los Angeles County and shall not become operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

(a) (1) Upon the death of a retired member, 50 percent of the retirement pension, if not modified in accordance with the optional survivor allowance in subdivision (c) or (d), shall be continued during and throughout the life of his or her surviving spouse, if she or he was married to the member at least one year prior to the date of retirement. If there is no surviving spouse entitled to this allowance, or if he or she dies before every child of the deceased retired member, including every stepchild or adopted child, attains the age of 18 years, then the allowance that the spouse would have received had she or he survived shall be paid to the deceased retired member's child or children under the age of 18 years. If the survivor allowance is to be paid to surviving children, it shall be divided among the children in equal shares. However, the right of any child to share in the allowance shall cease upon his or her death, marriage, or attaining the age of 18 years.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subdivision, the allowance otherwise payable to the children of the retired member shall be paid to the children through the age of 21 years, if the children remain unmarried and are regularly enrolled as full-time students in any accredited school as determined by the board.
  (b) If, upon the death of a retired member, there is no surviving spouse or child entitled to the allowance under this section, and the total retirement allowance income received by the member during his or her lifetime did not equal or exceed his or her accumulated normal contributions, if any, the member's designated beneficiary shall be paid an amount equal to the excess of his or her accumulated normal contributions over his or her total retirement allowance income.
  (c) (1) A vested member, or vested former member, in lieu of the retirement allowance and survivor allowance, if any, otherwise payable to a retired member and his or her surviving spouse pursuant to this article, may elect to have the actuarial equivalent of these benefits, as of the date of retirement, applied to a lesser amount payable throughout the retired member's life and to an increased survivor allowance as approved by the board, upon the advice of the actuary, continued throughout the life of and paid to his or her surviving spouse, if he or she was married to the member at least one year prior to the date of retirement. If there is no surviving spouse entitled to this allowance, or if he or she dies before every child of the deceased retired member, including every stepchild and adopted child, attains the age of 18 years, then the increased survivor allowance that the spouse would have received had he or she survived shall be paid to the deceased retired member's child or children under the age of 18 years. If the increased survivor allowance is to be paid to surviving children, it shall be divided among the children in equal shares. However, the right of any child to share in the allowance shall cease upon his or her death, marriage, or attaining the age of 18 years.
  (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subdivision, the increased allowance otherwise payable to the children of the retired member shall be paid to the children through the age of 21 years if the children remain unmarried and are regularly enrolled as full-time students in any accredited school as determined by the board.
  (3) The election pursuant to this subdivision may not, in the opinion of the board and the actuary, place any additional burden upon the retirement system. If a member makes the election, the member's normal or early retirement benefit shall be reduced by the additional actuarial cost to the system resulting from the increased survivor allowance. The actuarial cost of the survivor allowance payable under this subdivision shall be calculated taking into account the life expectancy of the member's surviving spouse.
  (4) This subdivision is not operative unless the county board of supervisors, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, makes this subdivision operative in the county. This subdivision applies only to members who retire after the operative date of this subdivision.
  (d) A vested member, or vested former member, in lieu of the normal or early retirement pension for the retired member's life alone and the survivor allowance, if any, that would be payable under subdivision (a) or (c), may elect to have the actuarial equivalent of the retired member's pension as of the date of retirement applied to a lesser amount payable throughout the retired member's life, and to a survivor allowance as approved by the board, upon the advice of the actuary, that, upon the death of the retired member, shall continue throughout the life of and be paid to the person or persons having an insurable interest in the life of the retired member, as the member or former member nominates by written designation duly executed and filed with the board at the time of retirement. The member's normal or early retirement benefit shall be reduced by the actuarial cost of the survivor allowance elected.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 31492, each monthly survivor allowance paid pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 31492 on account of a member who retires on or after the operative date of this section shall be equal to 55 percent of the retirement pension, if not modified in accordance with the optional survivor allowance in subdivision (c) or (d) of that section.
  (b) This section is only applicable to Los Angeles County and is not operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 31492, each monthly survivor allowance paid on or after the operative date of this section pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 31492 on account of a member who retires before the operative date of this section shall be equal to 55 percent of the retirement pension, if not modified in accordance with the optional survivor allowance in subdivision (b) of that section.
  (b) This section shall only be applicable to Los Angeles County and shall not become operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

(a) Any person employed subsequent to the effective date of this article who would otherwise qualify as a member shall not become a member until he or she certifies to the board his or her election to be covered by the retirement plan established by this article or to be covered by the retirement provisions and benefits otherwise available to members on the date preceding the effective date of this article. As a condition of continued employment, the certification shall be made within 60 days of employment. The employer shall make available to the person a disclosure of the elements of each of the available retirement plans prior to accepting his or her election.
  (b) This section shall be applicable to persons who are eligible for membership and are employed prior to January 1, 1991.

(a) Any person employed who qualifies as a member shall certify to the board his or her election to be covered by the retirement plan established by this article or to be covered by the retirement provisions and benefits otherwise available to members as of the date of employment. Any person who dies prior to certifying his or her election or who fails to certify his or her election within the period set forth in subdivision (b) shall, as of the date of death or the day immediately following the last day to certify his or her election, be deemed to have elected to be covered by the retirement plan established by this article.
  (b) The election required to be made by subdivision (a) shall be certified to the board:
  (1) Within 30 days of employment if written disclosure materials are provided by the employer pursuant to subdivision (c) within 14 days of employment, or
  (2) Within 30 days of the receipt of written disclosure materials provided by the employer if the employer fails to provide written disclosure materials within 14 days of employment as required by subdivision (c).
  (c) The employer shall, within 14 days of the date of employment, provide to each person who qualifies as a member, written disclosure materials of the elements of each of the available retirement plans.
  (d) This section shall be applicable to persons eligible for general membership in Plans D and E who become employed on or after January 1, 1991, and prior to January 1, 1992, and to persons who were employed prior to January 1, 1991, who first became eligible for membership on or after January 1, 1991, and before January 1, 1992.

(a) Any person who qualifies as a member, and who has not elected to be covered by the retirement provisions and benefits available to members, shall become a member of the plan established by this article as of the first day of the month following the date of employment or date of eligibility for membership. Any person who dies prior to certifying his or her election shall be deemed to have elected to be covered by the retirement plan established by this article.
  (b) The employer shall, within 14 days of the date of employment or eligibility for membership, provide to each person who qualifies as a member, written disclosure materials of the elements of each of the available retirement plans.
  (c) Any person who has been enrolled in the plan provided for in this article pursuant to subdivision (a) may elect to be covered by any other retirement plan to which he or she is otherwise eligible, provided that the election is made in writing and filed with the board within 60 days from his or her beginning date of employment or eligibility for membership, or within 45 days after receipt from the employer of the materials required by subdivision (b), whichever is later. Any person who makes the election shall be deemed to be a member of the elected plan as of the first day of the month following the date of employment or eligibility, and the county auditor shall make appropriate deductions from the member's future salary warrant to cover the member's contributions applicable to the period that the member was deemed to be included in the plan covered by this article.
  (d) This section shall be applicable to persons eligible for general membership who become employed on or after January 1, 1992, and to persons who were employed prior to January 1, 1992, but who did not become eligible for membership until January 1, 1992, or later.

(a) General members may elect to transfer to the retirement plan created by this article upon proper application executed by the member and filed with the board. That transfer is voluntary and shall be irrevocable.
  (b) The retirement benefits of the transferred members are governed and defined by this article.
  (c) Transferring members relinquish and waive any and all previously available vested or accrued retirement, survivor, disability and death benefits. However, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, transferring members shall receive credit for public service performed prior to the transfer, including service with the employer, military service, and other public service to which the member would otherwise be eligible under this chapter, except that member contributions shall not be collected.
  (d) This section shall be operative at any time or times as may be mutually agreed to in memoranda of understanding executed by the employer and employee representatives if the board of supervisors adopts, by majority vote, a resolution declaring that the section shall be operative.
  (e) This section shall be superseded by Section 31494.2 in any county when Section 31494.2 becomes operative in the county.

(a) In accordance with the provisions of this section, general members, whose retirement benefits are governed by the noncontributory plan created by this article, may transfer to the contributory plan. Contributory plan shall mean Retirement Plan D. Transfer may be made by election upon written application executed by the member and filed with the board on or before the election date and shall be effective on the transfer date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this section. The election date shall be that date identified in the resolution adopted by the board of supervisors declaring this section to be operative. The transfer date shall be that date on which the member completes deposit of all contributions required by Section 31494.3. The election is voluntary and may be revoked upon written notice received by the board prior to the transfer date.
  (b) The retirement benefits of members electing to transfer and transferred members shall be governed and defined by this section. In the event of conflict, this section shall supersede and prevail over other provisions, or application of provisions, otherwise contained in this article.
  (c) Transferred members relinquish, waive, and forfeit any and all vested or accrued benefits available under any other retirement plan provided to members of the retirement system, and shall be entitled only to the benefits available under the contributory plan.
  (d) Transferred members shall receive retirement service credit for that period of service with the employer, for which the members were otherwise eligible to receive credit under the plan created by this article. Transferred members shall also receive retirement service credit for that period of service for which the member made contributions pursuant to Section 31490.5.
  (e) Transferred members may receive retirement service credit for service other than that with the employer, for which the members were credited or were eligible to receive credit under the plan created by this article, by written application executed by the member and filed with the board on or before the election date.
  (f) The employer, the members who have elected to transfer, and transferred members shall make contributions to the retirement fund in accordance with the rates, and in the same manner, as prescribed under the contributory plan. The monthly contributions shall commence for the month next following the transfer date or that date 120 days after the election date, whichever is earlier.
  (g) For purposes of calculating member contributions required under Section 31494.3, the entry age of a transferred member shall be that entry age as reflected in the retirement records maintained on behalf of the board.
  (h) Failure of a member to deposit the contributions at the time and in the manner required by subdivision (a) of Section 31494.3 shall result in the cancellation of his or her election to transfer.
  (i) Failure of a member to deposit the contributions at the time and in the manner required by subdivision (b) or (c) of Section 31494.3 shall result in the cancellation and forfeiture of his or her right to elect credit for other service under subdivision (e).
  (j) Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, disability, survivors, and death benefits of members who have made the election to transfer shall remain the same as defined and governed by this article. If those members die, terminate service, or make application for retirement prior to the transfer date, or fail to deposit all required contributions as required by Section 31494.3, all member contributions and regular interest shall be refunded to the member or member's survivor.
  (k) Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this section or Section 31494.3, in the event of the death of a member who has elected to transfer prior to the transfer date, the spouse of the member, or the minor children of the member if no spouse survives the member, may elect to pay the balance of contributions required by Section 31494.3, and if the contributions are deposited in the retirement fund within 120 days after the death of the member, the spouse of the member, or if no spouse survives the member, the minor children of the member, shall be entitled to rights and benefits as if the deceased member had deposited all contributions required by Section 31494.3.
  (l) Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, disability, survivors, and death benefits of members who have made the election to transfer shall remain the same as defined and governed by this article. If those members die, terminate service, or make application for retirement prior to the transfer date, all member contributions and regular interest shall be refunded to the member or the member's survivor.
  (m) This section shall be operative at such time or times as may be mutually agreed to in memoranda of understanding executed by the employer and employee representatives if the board of supervisors adopts, by majority vote, a resolution declaring that the section shall be operative.

(a) A general member whose benefits are governed by Retirement Plan D may, during a period of active employment, elect to change plan membership and become a member, prospectively, in Retirement Plan E. The election shall be made upon written application signed by the member and filed with the board, pursuant to enrollment procedures and during an enrollment period established by the board, which enrollment period shall not occur more frequently than once every three years for that member. The change in plan membership shall be effective as of the transfer date, as defined in subdivision (d). Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rights and obligations of a member who elects to change membership under this section shall be governed by the terms of this article on and after the transfer date. Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, survivors', or other benefits payable to a member and his or her survivors or beneficiaries shall continue to be governed by Retirement Plan D.
  (b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, effective as of the transfer date, a member who has transferred to Retirement Plan E pursuant to this section and his or her survivors or beneficiaries shall receive retirement, survivors', and other benefits that shall consist of: (1) the benefits to which they are entitled under the terms of Retirement Plan E, but based on the member's service credited only under that plan, and payable at the time and in the manner provided under Retirement Plan E, and (2) the benefits to which they would have been entitled under the terms of Retirement Plan D had the member remained a member of Retirement Plan D, but based on the member's service credited only under that plan, and payable at the time and in the manner provided under Retirement Plan D. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the calculation of the member's, survivors', or beneficiaries' benefits under each plan shall be subject to that plan's respective, separate terms, including, but not limited to, the definitions of "final compensation" and provisions establishing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing minimum retirement age and service requirements, and governing integration with federal social security payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate service credited under both retirement plans shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining eligibility for and vesting of benefits under each plan.
  (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of Retirement Plan D or Retirement Plan E:
  (1) A member who has transferred to Retirement Plan E pursuant to this section may not retire for disability and receive disability retirement benefits under Retirement Plan D.
  (2) If a member who has transferred to Retirement Plan E pursuant to this section dies prior to retirement, that member's survivor or beneficiary may not receive survivor or death benefits under Retirement Plan D but shall receive a refund of the member's contributions to Retirement Plan D together with all interest credited thereto.
  (d) As used in this section:
  (1) "Period of active employment" means a period during which the member is actively performing the duties of a full-time or part-time employee position or is on any authorized paid leave of absence, except a leave of absence during which the member is totally disabled and is receiving, or is eligible to receive, disability benefits, either during or after any elimination or qualifying period, under a disability plan provided by the employer.
  (2) "Retirement Plan D" means the contributory retirement plan otherwise available to new members of the system on the transfer date.
  (3) "Retirement Plan E" means the noncontributory retirement plan established under this article.
  (4) "Transfer date" means the first day of the first month that is at least 30 days after the date that the application is filed with the board to change plan membership under subdivision (a).
  (e) This section shall only be applicable to Los Angeles County and shall not become operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

(a) Members who have elected to transfer under Section 31494.1 shall be provided within 90 days of the election date the cost of contributions required for that period of all creditable service with the employer prior to the month for which monthly contributions are to commence, as prescribed in subdivision (f) of Section 31494.1, and shall deposit in the retirement fund, the amount hereinafter provided in this subdivision, by lump sum, or regular monthly installments, or both, over the period of time determined by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of retirement, but in any event prior to the date of application for retirement or, if applicable, the date provided in Section 31485.8, the date of termination, or the date of death. The amount shall equal the sum of the contributions a member would have made to the retirement fund for that length of time as that for which the member shall receive credit as service, computed in accordance with the rate of contribution applicable to the member under the contributory plan, based upon entry age, and in the same manner as prescribed under the plan as if the plan had been in effect during the entire period of all creditable service, together with regular interest thereon.
  (b) All service previously purchased by the member pursuant to Section 31490.5, if any, shall be recalculated in accordance with the rate of contribution applicable to the member under the contributory plan, based upon the entry age, and in the same manner as prescribed under the plan as if the contributory plan had been in effect during the entire period of all creditable service, together with regular interest thereon. All contributions paid by the member pursuant to Section 31490.5, if any, shall be credited toward the amount owed under subdivision (a) and all periods of service credited under the plan created by this article shall be transferred to the contributory plan upon completion of payment of that amount.
  (c) Any member who applies for service credit under subdivision (e) of Section 31494.1 relating to federal and military service, shall be provided within 90 days of the election date the cost of contribution required for that service, and shall deposit in the retirement fund the amount hereinafter provided in this subdivision by lump sum, or regular monthly installments, or both, over the period of time determined by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of retirement, but in any event prior to the date of application for retirement, date of termination, or death. The amount shall equal the sum of twice the contributions the member would have made to the retirement fund for the length of time as that for which the member has elected to receive credit as service, computed by applying the rate of contribution applicable to the member under the contributory plan, based upon entry age, to the monthly compensation first earnable by the member as of the most recent date of entry into the retirement system, multiplied by the number of months for which the member has elected to receive credit, together with regular interest thereon.
  (d) Any member who applies for service credit under subdivision (e) of Section 31494.1, relating to prior service as defined in the bylaws of the board, other than qualifying service under Section 31490.5, and public service other than military and federal service, shall be provided within 90 days of the election date the cost of contribution required for that service, and shall deposit in the retirement fund the amount hereinafter provided in this subdivision, by lump sum or regular monthly installments, or both, over the period of time determined by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of retirement, but in any event prior to the date of application for retirement or, if applicable, prior to the date provided in Section 31485.8, the date of termination, or the date of death. The amount shall equal that sum of contributions the member would have made to the retirement fund for the length of time as that for which the member has elected to receive credit as service, calculated in the same manner as prescribed in the bylaws of the board relating to credit for prior service, except that such contribution shall be computed by applying the rate of contribution applicable to the member under the contributory plan, based upon entry age.
  (e) This section shall be operative in a county at such time or times as may be mutually agreed to in memoranda of understanding executed by the employer and employee representatives if the board of supervisors adopts, by majority vote, a resolution declaring that the section shall be operative in the county.

(a) A general member whose benefits are governed by Retirement Plan E may, during a period of active employment, elect to change plan membership and become a member, prospectively, in Retirement Plan D. The election shall be made upon written application signed by the member and filed with the board, pursuant to enrollment procedures and during an enrollment period established by the board, which enrollment period shall not occur more frequently than once every three years for that member. The change in plan membership shall be effective as of the transfer date, as defined in subdivision (g). Except as otherwise provided in this section, the rights and obligations of a member who elects to change membership under this section shall be governed by the terms of Retirement Plan D on and after the transfer date. Prior to the transfer date, the rights to retirement, survivors', or other benefits payable to a member and his or her survivors or beneficiaries shall continue to be governed by Retirement Plan E.
  (b) If a member has made the election to change plans under subdivision (a), monthly contributions by the member and the employer under the terms of Retirement Plan D shall commence as of the transfer date. For the purposes of calculating the member's contribution rate under Retirement Plan D, his or her entry age shall be deemed to be his or her age at his or her birthday nearest the transfer date; however, if the member exchanges service credit in accordance with subdivision (c), with regard to contributions made for periods after that exchange, his or her entry age shall be adjusted and deemed to be the member's age at his or her birthday nearest the date on which begins the most recent period of unbroken service credited under Retirement Plan D, taking into account service purchased under subdivision (c). In no event shall the exchange of service under subdivision (c) affect the entry age with respect to, or the cost of, employee contributions made, or service purchased, prior to the exchange.
  (c) A general member who has elected to change plans under subdivision (a) also may elect to exchange, at that time or any time thereafter, but prior to the earlier of his or her application for retirement, termination from employment, or death, some portion designated in whole-month increments, or all of the service credited under Retirement Plan E for an equivalent amount of service credited under Retirement Plan D, provided, however, that the member may not exchange less than 12 months' service or, if less, the total service credited under Retirement Plan E. The exchange shall be effective on the date when the member completes the purchase of that service by depositing in the retirement fund, by lump sum or regular monthly installments, over the period of time determined by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of retirement, or both, but in any event prior to the earlier of his or her death or the date that is 120 days after the effective date of his or her retirement, the sum of: (1) the contributions the member would have made to the retirement fund under Retirement Plan D for that length of time for which the member shall receive credit as service under Retirement Plan D, computed in accordance with the rate of contribution applicable to the member under Retirement Plan D, based upon his or her entry age, and in the same manner prescribed under Retirement Plan D as if that plan had been in effect during the period for which the member shall receive service credit, and (2) the regular interest thereon. For the purposes of this subdivision, a member's entry age shall be deemed to be the member's age at his or her birthday nearest the date on which begins the most recent period of unbroken service credited under Retirement Plan D following completion of the service exchange under this subdivision. A member may receive credit for a period of service under only one plan and in no event shall a member receive credit for the same period of service under both Retirement Plan D and Retirement Plan E. A member who fails to complete the purchase of service as required under this subdivision shall be treated as completing an exchange of service under Retirement Plan E for an equivalent amount of service under Retirement Plan D only with regard to the service that actually has been purchased through completed deposit with the retirement fund of the requisite purchase amount, calculated in accordance with this subdivision.
  (d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, effective as of the transfer date, a member who has transferred to Retirement Plan D pursuant to this section and his or her survivors or beneficiaries shall receive retirement, disability, survivors', death, or other benefits that shall consist of: (1) the benefits to which they are entitled under the terms of Retirement Plan D, but based on the member's service credited only under that plan, and payable at the time and in the manner provided under Retirement Plan D, and (2) the benefits to which they would have been entitled under the terms of Retirement Plan E had the member remained a member of Retirement Plan E, but based on the member's service credited only under that plan, and payable at the time and in the manner provided under Retirement Plan E. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the calculation of the portion of a member's or beneficiary's benefit that is attributable to each plan is subject to that plan's respective, separate terms, including, but not limited to, the definitions of "final compensation" and provisions establishing cost-of-living adjustments, establishing minimum age and service requirements, and governing integration with federal social security payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate service credited under both Retirement Plan D and Retirement Plan E shall be taken into account for the purpose of determining eligibility for, and vesting of, benefits under each plan.
  (e) Notwithstanding any other provision of Retirement Plan D or Retirement Plan E, a member who transfers into Retirement Plan D under this section may retire for service-connected or nonservice-connected disability and receive disability benefits under Retirement Plan D only if he or she has either (1) completed two continuous years of active service after his or her most recent transfer date, or (2) earned five years of retirement service credit under Retirement Plan D after his or her most recent transfer date. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a member who becomes disabled and does not meet either of these conditions (1) may apply for and receive only a deferred or service retirement allowance, or (2) may elect to transfer prospectively back to Retirement Plan E, and for the purposes of calculating his or her retirement benefits under this section, shall in lieu of credit under Retirement Plan D be credited with service under Retirement Plan E as provided under subdivision (g) of Section 31488 during any period he or she is totally disabled and is receiving, or eligible to receive, disability benefits, either during or after any elimination or qualifying period, under a disability plan provided by the employer up to the earlier of the date he or she retires or no longer qualifies for disability benefits. If a member dies before he or she is eligible to retire and before completing either two continuous years of active service after the transfer date into Retirement Plan D or after earning five years of retirement service credit under Retirement Plan D after that transfer date, that member's beneficiary shall not be entitled to the survivor allowance under Section 31781.1 or 31781.12, if operative.
  (f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of Retirement Plan D or Retirement Plan E, a member who has transferred to Retirement Plan D pursuant to this section and who retires for disability when eligible under this section and Retirement Plan D, may not also retire for service and receive service retirement benefits under Retirement Plan E. However, for the purpose of calculating disability benefits under Retirement Plan D, the "sum to which he or she would be entitled as service retirement" or his or her "service retirement allowance," as those terms are used in Sections 31726, 31726.5, and 31727.4, shall consist of the blended benefit to which the member would be entitled under subdivision (d) if he or she retired for service, not just the service retirement benefit to which he or she would be entitled under Retirement Plan D.
  (g) As used in this section:
  (1) "Active service" means time spent on active, on-the-job performance of the duties of a full-time or part-time position and on any authorized paid leaves of absence; provided, however, that any authorized paid leave of absence or part-time service shall not constitute active service if the leave of absence or part-time service is necessitated by a preexisting disability, injury, or disease. The board of retirement shall determine whether or not a leave of absence or part-time service is necessitated by a preexisting disability, injury, or disease, and thus excluded from the member's active service, based upon evidence presented by the employer and the member upon request by the board.
  (2) "Entry age" means the age used for calculating the normal rate of contribution to Retirement Plan D with respect to a member who has transferred membership to Retirement Plan D under this section.
  (3) "Period of active employment" means a period during which the member is actively performing the duties of a full-time or part-time employee position or is on any authorized paid leave of absence, except a leave of absence during which the member is totally disabled and is receiving, or is eligible to receive, disability benefits, either during or after any elimination or qualifying period, under a disability plan provided by the employer.
  (4) "Retirement Plan D" means the contributory retirement plan otherwise available to new members of the retirement system on the transfer date.
  (5) "Retirement Plan E" means the noncontributory retirement plan established under this article.
  (6) "Transfer date" means the first day of the first month that is at least 30 days after the date that the application is filed with the board to change plan membership under subdivision (a).
  (h) This section shall only be applicable to Los Angeles County and shall not become operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

Until the completion of the next regularly scheduled actuarial survey of the retirement system, the employer contribution required to finance the plan created by this article shall be established by the board, upon the recommendation of the actuary.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this article, every retirement allowance or death allowance payable, on or after the operative date of this section, to or on account of any member of Retirement Plan E who retires or dies or who has retired or died shall, as of April 1 each year, be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that member's automatic COLA, as defined in subdivision (f) and as calculated by the board of retirement before April 1 of each year. No decrease in the cost of living shall reduce an allowance below the amount being received by the member or his or her beneficiary on the effective date of the allowance or the operative date of this section, whichever is later.
  (b) A Retirement Plan E member may elect to purchase an elective COLA, as defined in subdivision (f), with regard to some portion (designated in whole-month increments) or all of his or her months of Retirement Plan E service earned prior to the operative date of this section. The member may also elect to purchase an elective COLA, as defined in subdivision (f), with regard to some portion (designated in whole-month increments) or all of his or her months of Retirement Plan E service purchased pursuant to Section 31490.5, including service rendered after June 4, 2002, but prior to becoming a member of this system.
  (c) The election shall be made upon written application signed by the member and filed with the board pursuant to election procedures and during election periods established by the board. The purchase of the elective COLA shall be effective only when the member has paid contributions necessary to purchase the designated amount of service for which he or she shall receive the elective COLA. The amount of required contributions shall be determined by the board, subject to the following:
  (1) The cost of purchasing service for elective COLA purposes shall be determined by the board of retirement such that no elective COLA liability shall be borne by the county and no diminution in the funding ratio of the system shall result.
  (2) The cost charged to the member for purchasing the elective COLA service shall be based upon the assumption that the member retires at the age of 65 years.
  (3) Members may pay for the elective COLA by lump-sum payment or monthly installments over a period to be determined by a resolution adopted by a majority vote of the board of retirement, or both, but in any event prior to the earlier of his or her death or the date that is 120 days after the effective date of his or her retirement.
  (4) If a member fails to timely complete the purchase of his or her elective COLA, he or she shall receive an elective COLA calculated only with regard to that amount of service actually purchased.
  (5) If a Retirement Plan E member dies prior to retirement, any contributions made toward the purchase of an elective COLA, and all interest credited thereto, shall be refunded to the deceased member's surviving spouse or, if there is no surviving spouse, to the deceased member's surviving child or children under the age of 18 years, divided among those children in equal amounts, or, if there is no surviving spouse or surviving child or children under the age of 18 years, to the deceased member's estate.
  (d) If a Retirement Plan E member elects and purchases an elective COLA, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this article, every Retirement Plan E allowance or postretirement death allowance payable on and after the operative date of this section, to or on account of that member who retires or dies or who has retired or died shall, as of April 1 of each year, be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that member's elective COLA as calculated by the board of retirement before April 1 of each year. No decrease in the cost of living shall reduce an allowance below the amount being received by the member or his or her beneficiary on the effective date of the allowance or this provision, whichever is later. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, if a member retires before attaining the age of 65 years, his or her elective COLA shall be actuarially reduced to reflect that earlier retirement age unless, within 120 days after his or her retirement, he or she contributes by lump-sum the amount necessary to complete the purchase of his or her elective COLA as determined by the board. If, upon a member's retirement, the board of retirement determines that a member has paid more contributions than necessary to purchase his or her elective COLA in accordance with subdivision (b), the member shall receive a refund of those excess contributions and all interest credited thereto. Upon retirement or termination of employment, but before he or she begins receiving his or her elective COLA, a member may revoke his or her election to purchase an elective COLA and receive a refund of any contributions made toward the purchase of the elective COLA and all interest credited thereto.
  (e) If a Retirement Plan E member or former member is totally disabled, begins receiving disability benefits, other than state-mandated benefits, under a disability plan provided by the employer on or after the operative date of this section, and, on or after that date, his or her employment terminates, then, for purposes of calculating the member's or former member's final compensation, his or her predisability compensation, as previously adjusted in accordance with this subdivision and paragraph (5) of subdivision (f), shall, as of April 1 of each year after his or her employment terminates and during a period for which he or she both remains totally disabled and earns "service" within the meaning of subdivision (g) of Section 31488, be increased or decreased by an amount equal to that member's or former member's predisability compensation adjustment as calculated by the board of retirement before April 1 of each year.
  (f) As used in this section:
  (1) "Automatic COLA" means, with respect to any member of Retirement Plan E, an amount equal to the allowance then being received (including any automatic or elective COLAs previously received), multiplied by a percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) derived by taking the number of months of service the member earned on and after the operative date of this section, dividing by the member's total months of service, and multiplying by a percentage equal to the lesser of 2 percent or the percentage found by the board of retirement to approximate to the nearest one-half of 1 percent the percentage of annual increase or decrease in the cost of living as of January 1 of each year as shown by the then current CPI, as adjusted for the amount applied from a prior year. For purposes of applying this formula, the amount of any annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI in excess of the 2 percent maximum shall be accumulated and applied in future years in which the annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI is less than the 2 percent maximum.
  (2) "CPI" means the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the area in which the county seat is situated.
  (3) "Elective COLA" means, with respect to any member of Retirement Plan E, an amount equal to the allowance then being received (including any automatic or elective COLAs previously received), multiplied by a percentage (rounded to the nearest one-tenth of 1 percent) derived by taking the number of months of service the member purchased in accordance with subdivision (b), dividing by the member's total months of service, and multiplying by a percentage equal to the lesser of 2 percent or the percentage found by the board of retirement to approximate to the nearest one-half of 1 percent the percentage of annual increase or decrease in the cost of living as of January 1 of each year as shown by the then current CPI, as adjusted for the amount applied from a prior year. For purposes of applying this formula, the amount of any annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI in excess of the 2 percent maximum shall be accumulated and applied in future years in which the annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI is less than the 2 percent maximum.
  (4) "Predisability compensation" means a member's last 12 months of compensation earnable preceding the date his or her employment terminates while he or she is receiving disability benefits, other than state-mandated benefits, under a disability plan provided by the employer because he or she is totally disabled. The employer shall provide the board of retirement with the information necessary for a member's predisability compensation to be determined.
  (5) "Predisability compensation adjustment" means, with respect to any member or former member of Retirement Plan E qualifying under subdivision (e), an amount equal to that member's or former member's predisability compensation as previously adjusted under this section, multiplied by a percentage equal to the lesser of 2 percent or the percentage found by the board of retirement to approximate to the nearest one-half of 1 percent the percentage of annual increase or decrease in the cost of living as of January 1, of each year as shown by the then current CPI, as adjusted for the amount applied from a prior year. For the purpose of applying this formula, the amount of any annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI in excess of the 2 percent maximum shall be accumulated and applied in future years in which the annual cost-of-living increase under the CPI is less than the 2 percent maximum.
  (g) This section shall only be applicable to Los Angeles County and shall not become operative until the board of supervisors of that county elects, by resolution adopted by a majority vote, to make this section operative in the county.

A member may use current, forfeited, and vested membership periods earned under this chapter when meeting the reciprocity requirements for purposes of determining age of entry, as defined in Sections 31833 and 31833.1. This section shall not apply to members who are retired from this system.