Section 31494.2.

(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.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 778, Sec. 6. Effective October 13, 2001. Section conditionally operative by its own provisions.)