(1) (a) Each legislator in office on July 1, 1980, may within thirty (30) days after that date, and any legislator thereafter taking office may within thirty (30) days after the date thereof, elect to make monthly contributions to the Legislators' Retirement Plan, in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of his monthly creditable compensation, as defined in KRS 61.510(13), or the amount specified by paragraph (d) of this subsection. The election shall be effective to establish membership in the plan as of July 1, 1980, or as of the date from which the thirty (30) day period is measured, as the case may be. Provided, however, that any legislator who was in office on July 1, 1980, and who is in office at the time he makes the election may, after the expiration of the thirty (30) day period and until May 1, 1982, make the election, in which event he shall pay to the Legislators' Retirement Plan, for the months between July 1, 1980, and the date of his election such sum as, when added to any member's contribution by him that is transferred from another retirement system under KRS 6.535, will equal the member's contribution required by this section. If the member makes his election after February 1, 1981, he shall in addition pay to the plan interest on the foregoing sum, at six percent (6%) per annum, calculated as if the sum consisted of equal monthly payments, one (1) of which was due at the end of each month between July 1, 1980, and the date the election was made. The election shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet and shall constitute an authorization to the secretary to thereafter cause to be deducted from the member's monthly creditable compensation an amount equal to five percent (5%) thereof, as a voluntarily elected contribution by the member towards the funding of the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

(b) 1. For a member who begins participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, the election shall operate to create an inviolable contract between such member and the Commonwealth, guaranteeing to and vesting in the member the rights and benefits provided for under KRS 6.515 to 6.530, except that the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 6.500 to 6.577 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

2. a. For members who begin participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 6.500 to 6.577 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

b. For purposes of this subparagraph, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

c. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 6.500 to 6.577, for members who begin participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, except the benefits specified by subparagraph 2.b. of this paragraph.

3. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the Legislators' Retirement Plan as provided by KRS 6.500 to 6.577 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2013.

(c) An election once made under this section either to participate or not to participate in the Legislators' Retirement Plan, shall be considered to apply to all future service as a legislator except as provided by Section 7 of this Act or subsection (3) of Section 8 of this Act, whether in the same or a different office as a legislator, and whether or not it is in successive terms.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection:

1. A legislator who becomes a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, shall make monthly contributions to the Legislators' Retirement Plan in an amount equal to six percent (6%) of his monthly creditable compensation, as defined in KRS 61.510(13); .

2. A legislator who becomes a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, shall make monthly contributions to the Legislators' Retirement Plan in an amount equal to six percent (6%) of his or her monthly creditable compensation, as defined in KRS 61.510(13), of which:

a. Five percent (5%) of his or her monthly creditable compensation, as defined in KRS 61.510(13), shall be used to provide funding for benefits provided under KRS 21.402; and

b. One percent (1%) of his or her monthly creditable compensation, as defined in KRS 61.510(13), shall be used exclusively to help fund retiree health benefits as provided by KRS 6.577 and shall not be refunded to the member if the member withdraws his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 21.460. The amounts deducted under this subdivision shall be credited to an account established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h), within the fund established by KRS 6.530.

(2) A legislator entitled to elect membership in the retirement system who failed to elect membership within thirty (30) days after taking office may elect membership not later than August 31, 2005. An election, upon being made pursuant to this section, shall operate to create an inviolable contract between the member entitled to elect membership under this subsection and the Commonwealth, guaranteeing to and vesting in the member the rights and benefits provided for under the terms and conditions of KRS 6.500 to 6.577, except that the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 6.500 to 6.577 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(3) When any legislator makes a delayed election of membership in the Legislators' Retirement Plan under subsection (2) of this section, his active membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall terminate, as of the date his membership in the Legislators' Retirement Plan becomes effective, and any credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, earned for service as a legislator, which he then has or which he subsequently regains while being an active member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan, shall be transferred to and counted as service credit in the Legislators' Retirement Plan, and shall no longer constitute credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, except for the purpose of validating any other credit in that system if the member pays the difference, if any, between the amount transferred from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the actuarial value of the transferred service. However, any credit he then has in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, earned for service in any capacity other than a legislator, shall not be affected. No person may attain credit in more than one (1) of the retirement plans or systems mentioned in this section for the same period of service. When credit is transferred from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System to the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall transfer to the Legislators' Retirement Fund an amount equal to the employee's and employer's contributions attributable to that credit, together with interest on the contributions from the date made to the date of transfer at the actuarially assumed interest rate of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System in effect at the time the contributions were made, compounded annually at that same interest rate.

(4) The state shall, solely for the purpose of compliance with Section 414(h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, pick up the employee contributions required by this section for all compensation earned after August 1, 1982, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code and KRS 141.010(10). The picked-up employee contribution shall satisfy all obligations to the retirement system satisfied prior to August 1, 1982, by the employee contribution, and the picked-up employee contribution shall be in lieu of an employee contribution. The state shall pay these picked-up employee contributions from the same source of funds which is used to pay earnings to the employee. The employee shall have no option to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of having them paid by the employer to the system. Employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, shall be treated for all purposes of KRS 6.500 to 6.535 in the same manner and to the same extent as employee contributions made prior to August 1, 1982.

(5) When any legislator elects membership in the Legislators' Retirement Plan in accordance with this section, his active membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or Teachers' Retirement System shall terminate, as of the date his membership in the Legislators' Retirement Plan becomes effective, and any credit in such other system or systems, earned for service as a legislator, which he then has or which he subsequently regains while being an active member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan, shall be transferred to and counted as service credit in the Legislators' Retirement Plan, and shall no longer constitute credit in such other retirement system except for the purpose of validating any other credit in that system. However, any credit he then has in such other retirement system, earned for service in any capacity other than a legislator, shall not be affected. No person may attain credit in more than one (1) of the retirement plans or systems mentioned in this section, for the same period of service.

(6) A member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan who would be entitled, under KRS 61.552, to repurchase credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, for previous service as a legislator, which credit had been lost by refund of contributions, may pay the amount required by KRS 61.552 directly to the Legislators' Retirement Plan and thereby obtain credit in that plan for such service, rather than making payment to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for credit which would be transferred to the Legislators' Retirement Plan. In such event, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall transfer to the Legislators' Retirement Plan an amount equal to the employer's contributions that originally were made to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for the regained service credit, with interest as provided in KRS 6.535. Six (6) months' current service shall be required in the Legislators' Retirement Plan in order for the repurchased credit to remain in force, the same as provided in KRS 61.552. Service purchased under this subsection on or after January 1, 2014, shall not be used to determine the member's participation date in the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

(1) For purposes of this section, "bona fide promotion or career advancement":

(a) Means a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the four (4) years immediately prior to the final five (5) annual years preceding retirement or a change in employment position based on the training, skills, education, or expertise of the member that imposes a significant change in job duties and responsibilities to clearly justify the increased compensation to the member; and

(b) Does not include any circumstance in which a legislator participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan takes a position of employment with an employer participating in any of the other state-administered retirement systems.

(2) (a) For members retiring on or after January 1, 2018, the plan shall, for each of the retiring member's last five (5) annual years of service in the General Assembly or with any employer participating in any of the state-administered retirement systems, identify any annual year in which the creditable compensation used to calculate benefits in the Legislators' Retirement Plan increased at a rate of ten percent (10%) or more annually over the immediately preceding annual year's creditable compensation.

(b) Except as limited or excluded by subsections (3) and (4) of this section, any amount of increase in creditable compensation for an annual year identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection that exceeds ten percent (10%) more than the member's creditable compensation from the immediately preceding annual year shall not be included in the creditable compensation used to calculate the member's monthly pension benefits. If the creditable compensation for a specific annual year identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection as exceeding the ten percent (10%) increase limitation is not used to calculate the retiring member's monthly pension benefits, then no reduction in creditable compensation shall occur for that annual year. Reductions to creditable compensation as provided by this paragraph shall include any creditable compensation used to calculate the retiring member's benefits, including creditable compensation earned in another state-administered retirement system.

(c) If the creditable compensation of the retiring member is reduced as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, the retirement system shall, notwithstanding KRS 21.460 and as applicable, refund the member contributions attributable to the reduction in creditable compensation.

(3) In order to ensure the prospective application of the limitations on increases in creditable compensation contained in subsection (2) of this section, only the creditable compensation earned by the retiring member on or after July 1, 2017, shall be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section. Creditable compensation earned by the retiring member prior to July 1, 2017, shall not be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to increases that are the direct result of a bona fide promotion or career advancement.

(5) The Judicial Form Retirement System board of trustees shall determine whether increases in creditable compensation during the last five (5) annual years of employment prior to retirement constitute a bona fide promotion or career advancement and may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer this section. All state-administered retirement systems shall cooperate to implement this section.

(6) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Employees participating in the hybrid cash balance plans plan as provided by KRS 21.402or Section 19 of this Act; or

(b) Service earned in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

(1) A member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan who retires on or after his normal retirement date shall receive a service retirement allowance, payable monthly during his lifetime, in an amount per month equal to three and fifty one-hundredths percent (3.50%) of his final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his service, but in no event to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of final compensation. For this purpose, "final compensation" means the average monthly creditable compensation as determined in KRS 61.510(13) of the member for services as a legislator for the three (3) years during which the member had the highest creditable legislative compensation.

(2) A member shall have rights, with respect to retirement before reaching normal retirement date in the Legislators' Retirement Plan, identical in terms with those rights provided in KRS 21.400(2) and (3) in the Judicial Retirement Plan for members of that plan, except that the reduction in a legislators' service retirement allowance for early retirement shall be at the rate of five percent (5%) of the allowance for each year that retirement precedes the normal retirement date.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, each legislator in office on July 1, 1982, that is a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan, who retires on or after his normal retirement date, shall receive a service retirement allowance, payable monthly, on a formula equal to that of a justice or judge of the Court of Justice with an equivalent service entrance date, but in no event less than that specified in subsection (1) of this section, of his final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his service, but in no event to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of his final compensation. For this purpose, "final compensation" means the average monthly creditable compensation as determined in KRS 61.510(13) of the three (3) years during which the member had the highest creditable legislative compensation.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS 6.500 to 6.577 or 21.345 to 21.580 Subsections (1) and (2) of this section to the contrarynotwithstanding , a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan with a service entrance date after July 1, 1982 but prior to January 1, 2014, who retires on or after his normal retirement date, shall receive a service retirement allowance, payable monthly during his lifetime, in an amount per month equal to:

(a) Two and seventy-five one-hundredths percent (2.75%) of his final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his service accrued prior to January 1, 2019; and

(b) One and ninety-seven one-hundredths percent (1.97%) of his or her final compensation multiplied by the number of years of his or her service accrued on or after January 1, 2019. , but

In no event shall the benefit provided by this subsection to exceed one hundred percent (100%) of final compensation. For this purpose, "final compensation" means the average monthly creditable compensation as determined in KRS 61.510(13) of the member for services as a legislator for the three (3) years during which the member had the highest creditable legislative compensation.

(5) Subsections (1) to (4) of this section shall not apply to members who begin participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014.

The Legislators' Retirement Plan shall be governed by KRS 21.560 and by provisions identical in terms with those provided in KRS 21.345(1), 21.345(3) to (6), 21.357, 21.360(1), 21.370 to 21.410, 21.374, 21.420, 21.425, 21.450, 21.460, 21.470, 21.480, 21.525, 21.540, and 61.552 for the Judicial Retirement Plan, except that:

(1) Five (5) years of service as a legislator will be sufficient for vesting; and

(2) (a) A member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan may combine his service credit with his service credit in the Teachers' Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System at the time of his retirement, according to the procedure of KRS 61.680(2)(a), except that the salary used to determine final compensation, if applicable, shall be based on the creditable compensation in KRS 61.510(13) for service while a member of the General Assembly whether or not a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

(b) 1. For members contributing on or after June 20, 2005 but prior to January 1, 2014, who have service credit in the State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019: Upon retirement, a member's accounts under the Legislators' Retirement Plan, State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, and Teachers' Retirement System shall be consolidated for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits as provided in KRS 61.680(2)(a) and in the same manner as for the other retirement systems using the highest salary regardless of the system in which it was earned, except that any salary earned in the State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, shall not be used to determine benefits in the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

2. The consolidation of accounts as provided by this paragraph shall not apply to accounts in the State Police Retirement System, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, and the Teachers' Retirement System, from which the member is receiving a retirement benefit.

3. For purposes of this paragraph, "retirement" means the month in which the member elects to begin receiving benefits or benefits become payable due to the member's death.

(c) A member who has an account in the Legislators' Retirement Plan and the Judicial Retirement Plan may combine his service in both plans for purposes of determining:

1. Eligibility and the amount of benefits; and

2. Final compensation, provided the member began participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, and except that any salary earned in the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2019, shall not be used to determine final compensation in the Legislators' Retirement Plan.

(d) A member who began participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, may retire at the completion of twenty-seven (27) or more years of combined service credit, so long as at least fifteen (15) years of such credit were earned after January 1, 1960, and there shall be no reduction in the retirement allowance because of retirement before the age of sixty-five (65).

(e) For the purposes of this section, any reference in the KRS sections listed above to the Judicial Retirement Plan shall also be read as a reference to the Legislators' Retirement Plan, and any reference to the Legislators' Retirement Plan shall also be read as a reference to the Judicial Retirement Plan.

(3) Any other statute to the contrary notwithstanding, a member of any state- administered retirement system who has ceased to qualify for membership but subsequently returns to a qualified status, shall, for the purposes of determining the date of entry into the state-administered retirement system for the subsequent period or periods of service, be deemed to have never left the retirement system.

(1) (a) Each Judge of the District Court in office on July 1, 1978, may within thirty (30) days after that date, and any judge or justice of any court entitled to be a member thereafter taking office may within thirty (30) days after taking office, elect to make monthly contributions to the retirement system in an amount equal to:

1. Five percent (5%) of his or her monthly official salary, if the judge or justice became a member of the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan prior to September 1, 2008;

2. Six percent (6%) of his or her monthly official salary, if the judge or justice became a member of the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014; or

3. Six percent (6%) of his or her monthly official salary, if the judge or justice who becomes a member of the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, which shall be used to fund benefits as follows:

a. Five percent (5%) of the monthly official salary shall be used to provide funding for benefits provided under KRS 21.402; and

b. One percent (1%) of the monthly official salary to be used exclusively to help fund retiree health benefits as provided by KRS 21.427 and which shall not be refunded to the member if the member withdraws his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 21.460. The deducted amounts under this subdivision shall be credited to an account established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h), within the fund established by KRS 21.347.

(b) The election shall be effective to establish membership in the system as of July 1, 1978, or as of the date the judge or justice took office, as the case may be. The election shall be addressed to and filed with the secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, and shall constitute an authorization by the member, to the secretary, to thereafter cause to be deducted from the member's official salary, each month, the amount required by paragraph (a) of this subsection, as a voluntary contribution by the member towards the funding of the retirement system. For a member who began contributing to the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, the contribution shall continue until the judge or justice is vested in a service retirement allowance equal to one hundred percent (100%) of final compensation. Thereafter employee contributions shall be discontinued but continued service and retirement benefits shall not be affected thereby.

(2) A judge or justice entitled to elect membership in the retirement system who failed to elect membership within thirty (30) days after taking office in 1980 or who elected membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System may elect membership not later than August 31, 2005. An election, upon being made pursuant to this section, shall operate to create an inviolable contract between the member entitled to elect membership under this subsection and the Commonwealth, guaranteeing to and vesting in the member the rights and benefits provided for under the terms and conditions of KRS 21.350 to 21.510, except that the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 21.345 to 21.580 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(3) (a) When any judge makes a delayed election of membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan under subsection (2) of this section, his active membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall terminate, as of the date his membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan becomes effective, and any credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, earned for service as a judge, which he then has or which he subsequently regains while being an active member of the Judicial Retirement Plan, shall be transferred to and counted as service credit in the Judicial Retirement Plan, and shall no longer constitute credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, except for the purpose of validating any other credit in that system, if the member pays the difference, if any, between the amount transferred from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the actuarial value of the transferred service.

(b) Any credit he then has in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, earned for service in any capacity other than a judge, shall not be affected. Notwithstanding any provisions of KRS 61.680 to the contrary, final compensation used to determine benefits for any service credit remaining in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall be based on the highest years of compensation as a judge whether the years occur before or after the judge elects membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan.

(c) No person may attain credit in more than one (1) of the retirement plans or systems mentioned in this section for the same period of service. When credit is transferred from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System to the Judicial Retirement Plan, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall transfer to the Judicial Retirement Fund an amount equal to the employee's and employer's contributions attributable to that credit, together with interest on the contributions from the date made to the date of transfer at the actuarially- assumed interest rate of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System in effect at the time the contributions were made, compounded annually at that same interest rate.

(4) Membership and benefit rights for judges and justices (other than Judges of the District Court), and for the commissioners and administrative director, who took office prior to July 1, 1978, shall be dependent upon valid elections having been made under this section (and KRS 21.355 and 21.365) prior to the 1978 amendment to this section. The terms of such elections, including the contribution rate, shall continue to govern for the duration of the member's service.

(5) When any Judge of the District Court in office on July 1, 1978, elects membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan System in accordance with this section, his membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall terminate as of July 1, 1978, and any credit in that system he earned for service as a Judge of the District Court shall be nullified; provided that the effect of such service to validate any other service credit in that system shall not be nullified.

(6) The state shall, solely for the purpose of compliance with Section 414(h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, pick up the employee contributions required by this section for all compensation earned after August 1, 1982, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code and KRS 141.010(10). The picked-up employee contribution shall satisfy all obligations to the retirement system satisfied prior to August 1, 1982, by the employee contribution, and the picked-up employee contribution shall be in lieu of an employee contribution. The state shall pay these picked-up employee contributions from the same source of funds which is used to pay earnings to the employee. The employee shall have no option to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of having them paid by the employer to the system. Employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, shall be treated for all purposes of KRS 21.345 to 21.570 in the same manner and to the same extent as employee contributions made prior to August 1, 1982.

(7) An election once made under this section, either to participate or not to participate in the Judicial Retirement Plan, shall be considered to apply, to all future service in any office covered by the plan, except as provided by Section 7 of this Act and subsection (3) of Section 8 of this Act, whether such service is in the same or a different office, and whether or not it is continuous.

(1) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Bona fide promotion or career advancement":

1. Means a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the member in the four (4) years immediately prior to the final sixty (60) months preceding retirement or a change in employment position based on the training, skills, education, or expertise of the member that imposes a significant change in job duties and responsibilities to clearly justify the increased compensation to the member, including any circumstance when a member is elected or appointed to another court within the Court of Justice; and

2. Does not include any circumstance where a judge or justice participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan takes a position of employment with an employer participating in any of the other state-administered retirement systems; and

(b) "Year" has the same meaning as in KRS 21.345(3).

(2) (a) For members retiring on or after January 1, 2018, the plan shall identify any consecutive year utilized in determining the member's final compensation in which the member's compensation increased at a rate of ten percent (10%) or more over the member's compensation in the immediately preceding year.

(b) Except as limited or excluded by subsections (3) and (4) of this section, any amount of increase in compensation for a year identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection that exceeds ten percent (10%) more than the member's compensation from the immediately preceding year shall not be used in the calculation of the member's final compensation for the purposes of determining the member's monthly pension benefit under KRS 21.400.

(c) If the member's final compensation is reduced for the purposes of determining the member's pension benefit under KRS 21.400 as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, the retirement system shall, notwithstanding KRS 21.460 and as applicable, refund the member contributions attributable to the reduction in creditable compensation.

(3) In order to ensure the prospective application of the potential reduction in pension benefits as provided in subsection (2) of this section, only the compensation earned by the retiring member on or after July 1, 2017, shall be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section. Compensation earned by the retiring member prior to July 1, 2017, shall not be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to increases that are the direct result of a bona fide promotion or career advancement or to compensation used in accordance with KRS 61.680(7) in which the member does not have sixty (60) months of service in the Judicial Retirement Plan.

(5) The Judicial Form Retirement System board of trustees shall determine whether increases in compensation during the final sixty (60) months preceding retirement constitute a bona fide promotion or career advancement and may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer this section. All state-administered retirement systems shall cooperate to implement this section.

(6) This section shall not apply to:

(a) Employees participating in the hybrid cash balance plans plan as provided by KRS 21.402or Section 19 of this Act; or

(b) Service earned in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

Notwithstanding KRS 6.500 to 6.577 and 21.345 to 21.580:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any member who began participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to July 1, 2019 January 1, 2014 , may on or after July 1, 2019, but prior to January 1, 2021, in lieu of the benefits he or she is currently eligible to receive under the plans, elect to cease participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan and participate prospectively in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as a nonhazardous employee for any future service as a legislator, judge, or justice and be provided the following benefits in lieu of the benefits provided by KRS 6.500 to 6.577 and 21.345 to 21.580:

(a) Participation in the 401(a) money purchase plan provided by Section 12 of this Act. Members making an election shall not accrue service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for purposes of determining retirement benefits under the provisions of subsection (14) of Section 14 of this Act or Section 19 or 27 of this Act receive the benefits and rights provided to members who began participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, including participating in the hybrid cash balance plan created pursuant to KRS 21.402;and

(b) Any other benefits the person would be eligible for in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System based upon the election provided by this section or his or her membership date in the state-administered retirement systems.

(2) The election provided by this section shall be made in writing and on a form prescribed by the Judicial Form Retirement System board;

(3) For each member who makes an election provided by this section, :

(a) any service credit, final compensation, or other benefits the member has accrued prior to the member's effective election date January 1, 2014 , in the Judicial Retirement Plan or Legislators' Retirement Plan, shall remain, but the member shall not accrue any additional service, final compensation, or any other benefits in the Judicial Retirement Plan or the Legislators' Retirement Plan on or after the effective election date shall be considered as service credit earned on or after January 1, 2014, for purposes of determining benefits under KRS 6.500 to 6.577 and 21.345 to 21.580;

(b) On the member's effective election date, the value of the member's accumulated contributions, less any interest, shall be deposited into the member's hybrid cash balance account as provided by KRS 21.402 and considered part of the member's accumulated account balance;

(c) On the member's effective election date, an employer pay credit as provided by KRS 21.402 shall be added to the member's accumulated account balance for each month the member contributed to the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to his or her effective election date; and

(d) Interest credits as provided by KRS 21.402 shall only be applied for periods occurring on or after the member's effective election date;

(4) Before accepting an election provided by this section, the Judicial Form Retirement System board shall provide the member with information detailing the potential results of the member's election;

(5) An election made pursuant to this section shall be irrevocable; and

(6) (a) A member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan shall not be eligible to make an election prescribed by this section until the Judicial Form Retirement System receives a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this section.

(b) If the Internal Revenue Service denies the request for a private letter ruling as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection, this section shall be void.

(c) The Judicial Form Retirement System may promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A in order to carry out this section.

(1) In a situation in which, by reason of federal tax law, the failure to commence the payment of retirement benefits to a vested member of the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan, by a specified date after the member reaches a specified age, as designated by the federal tax law, will result in the imposition of a special excise tax, the member, without retiring, shall be entitled, as of the specified date, to commence drawing from the plan the monthly benefit he would have been entitled to had he retired on that date. Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 21.360 and 61.680, a member who began participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, may, at his option, continue to be a participating member of the plan thereafter until he retires, or, may elect to cease to be a participating member of the plan, in which latter event he shall not be required to become a participating member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System.

(2) A member drawing benefits from the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan pursuant to subsection (1) of this section who elects to continue as a participating member of the plan, or a person drawing benefits from the plan by reason of having retired, who by reason of reemployment again becomes a participating member of the plan, shall continue to draw the benefits until he retires, and accrue additional benefits, but in the calculation of the additional benefits only the years of service after he commenced drawing the initial benefits shall be counted, and the monthly additional benefit shall not exceed such amount as, when added to the initial monthly benefit, will equal the final compensation on which the additional benefit was calculated. The member's surviving spouse, if married to the member at the time of his ultimate retirement, shall be considered to be the surviving spouse with respect to both the additional and the initial benefits.

(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS 6.500 to 6.577 or 21.345 to 21.580 to the contrary, an individual who retires and begins drawing a retirement allowance from one (1) or more of the systems or plans administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, the Teachers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Form Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, shall not be eligible to earn benefits in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or Judicial Retirement Plan for service as a judge, justice, or legislator that occurs on or after January 1, 2019.

(1) A member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan, whose participation in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan begins on or after January 1, 2014, or a member making an election pursuant to KRS 21.374 , shall receive the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of the retirement benefits provided under KRS 6.520 and 21.400. The retirement benefit provided by this section shall be known as the hybrid cash balance plan and shall operate as another benefit tier within the Legislators' Retirement Plan and the Judicial Retirement Plan.

(2) The hybrid cash balance plan shall provide a retirement benefit based upon the member's accumulated account balance, which shall include:

(a) Contributions made by the member as provided by KRS 6.500 to 6.577 and 21.345 to 21.580, except for employee contributions prescribed by KRS 6.505(1)(d)2.b. and 21.360(1)(a)3.b.;

(b) An employer pay credit of four percent (4%) of the creditable compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section; and

(c) Interest credits added annually to the member's accumulated account balance as provided by this section.

(3) (a) Member contributions and employer pay credits as provided by subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall be credited to the member's account monthly as contributions are reported and posted to the plan.

(b) Interest credits, as provided by subsection (2)(c) of this section, shall be credited to the member's account annually on June 30 of each fiscal year, as determined by subsection (4) of this section.

(4) (a) On June 30 of each fiscal year, the plan shall determine if the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year.

(b) If the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year, the interest credit added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by a percentage increase equal to eighty-five percent (85%) :

1. Four percent (4%); plus

2. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the plan's geometric average net investment return, but in no case shall be less than zero percent (0%) in excess of a four percent (4%) rate of return.

(c) If the member did not contribute to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year, then no the interest credit shall be added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by four percent (4%).

(d) For purposes of this subsection, "plan's geometric average net investment return":

1. Means the annual average geometric investment return, net of administrative and investment fees and expenses, over the last five (5) fiscal years as of the date the interest is credited to the member's account; and

2. Shall be expressed as a percentage and based upon the plan in which the member has an account.

(5) (a) Upon termination of employment, a member who has less than five (5) years of service credited under the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan, who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 21.460, shall forfeit the accumulated employer credit, and shall only receive a refund of his or her accumulated contributions.

(b) Upon termination of employment, a member who has five (5) or more years of service credited under the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan, who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 21.460, shall receive a full refund of his or her accumulated account balance.

(6) A member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section may retire:

(a) Upon reaching normal retirement age, provided he or she has earned five (5) or more years of service credited under the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan, or another state-administered retirement system; or

(b) If the member is at least age fifty-seven (57) and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for retirement under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan, or another state-administered retirement system.

(7) A member eligible to retire under subsection (6) of this section may elect to:

(a) Receive a monthly retirement allowance payable for life by having his or her accumulated account balance annuitized by the retirement plan in accordance with the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods adopted by the board and in effect on the member's retirement date;

(b) Receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance calculated under paragraph (a) of this subsection payable under one (1) of the options set forth in KRS 21.420(8)(b); or

(c) Take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 21.460.

(8) The board of the Judicial Form Retirement System shall establish individual members' accounts for each member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by this section. The Judicial Form Retirement System may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer the provisions of this section.

(9) The provisions of this section shall not apply to members who began participating in the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, except for those members making an election pursuant to KRS 21.374.

(1) (a) For members who began participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014: If any member of the plan ceases, other than by death or by disability retirement under KRS 21.410, to hold an office qualifying him for membership in the plan established by KRS 21.350 to 21.480, without having met the requirements for vesting, he shall be refunded on demand the amount of his accumulated contributions and any service credit he had in the plan shall be nullified.

(b) A member who begins participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, may, if the member ceases to hold an office qualifying him or her for membership in the plan established by KRS 21.345 to 21.580, elect to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance subject to the limitations provided by KRS 21.402.

(2) The member may elect to leave his contributions in the plan, in which event the service credit he had in the plan shall be considered to be service credit for vesting purposes as provided in KRS 21.375 and for service retirement eligibility as provided in KRS 61.680(7), and, in the event he again becomes a member of the Judicial Retirement Plan, shall be counted toward his total service credit in that plan.

(3) (a) If a person who has been refunded his accumulated contributions or accumulated account balance in accordance with subsection (1) of this section subsequently becomes a member of the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, or Teachers' Retirement System, he may while holding such membership repurchase the service credit he previously had in the Judicial Retirement Plan by repaying to that plan the amount that was refunded to him with interest at six percent (6%) per annum, in which event such service credit shall have operative effect to the same limited extent as provided in subsection (2) of this section. Service purchased under this subsection on or after January 1, 2014, shall not be used to determine the member's participation date in the Judicial Retirement Plan.

(b) Members or persons participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act, shall not be eligible to purchase service under the provisions of this section.

(4) If a person who has been refunded his accumulated contribution or accumulated account balance in accordance with subsection (1) of this section thereafter becomes again the holder of an office qualifying him for membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan, he shall not be entitled to credit for his prior period of service unless he has previously repaid his refunded contributions in accordance with subsection (3) of this section or unless within thirty (30) days after again assuming office he repays to the plan the amount that was refunded to him with interest at six percent (6%) per annum. Service purchased under this subsection on or after January 1, 2014, shall not be used to determine the member's participation date in the Judicial Retirement Plan. Members or persons participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act, shall not be eligible to purchase service under the provisions of this section.

(5) If the taking of a refund of contributions by a member of the Kentucky Judicial Retirement Plan, when first entitled thereto, would subject the member to a federal excise tax, by reason of the refund's being made before the member has reached an age designated by the federal taxing act, and the member has elected, pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, to defer taking a refund, so much of the contributions as would have been subject to the excise tax shall accrue interest at the rate of six percent (6%) per annum, from the date the member first could have taken a refund until the date the refund is taken or the date as of which the federal excise tax no longer would apply to a refund, whichever is sooner, the interest to be paid by the plan at the time of the refund. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to members who begin participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014.

(1) For members who begin participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan prior to January 1, 2014, it is hereby declared that in consideration of the contributions by the members, and in further consideration of benefits received by the state through the inducement of qualified and experienced judges and commissioners to continue in service, KRS 21.350 to 21.510, except as provided in KRS 6.696, shall constitute an inviolable contract of the Commonwealth, and the rights and benefits provided therein shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696, not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment or repeal, except:

(a) As provided in KRS 6.696; and

(b) The General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 21.345 to 21.580 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(2) (a) For members who begin participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 21.345 to 21.580 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 21.345 to 21.580, for members who begin participating in the Judicial Retirement Plan on or after January 1, 2014, except the benefits specified by paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the Judicial Retirement Plan as provided by KRS 21.345 to 21.580 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2013.

(1) (a) The retirement benefit provided by this section shall be known as the 401(a) money purchase plan and shall operate as an optional benefit tier within the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System, as applicable, for members in a nonhazardous position.

(b) A member participating in a nonhazardous position in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System whose participation in the systems begins on or after July 1, 2019, may elect within ninety (90) days of his or her membership date to receive the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of the hybrid cash balance retirement benefits provided under Section 19 of this Act. A member in a nonhazardous position whose participation in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System begins on or after January 1, 2019, but prior to July 1, 2019, may elect within ninety (90) days of July 1, 2019, to receive the benefits provided by this section in lieu of the hybrid cash balance plan retirement benefits provided under Section 19 of this Act and have his or her accumulated account balance in the hybrid cash balance plan transferred to the 401(a) money purchase plan. An election to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan shall be irrevocable and shall apply to any future service as a nonhazardous member participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System.

(c) Any member or person who makes an election as prescribed by Section 7 shall accrue the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of accruing additional benefits under KRS 21.345 to 21.580, subsection (14) of Section 14 of this Act, or Section 19 or 27 of this Act.

(d) Any member who makes an election as prescribed by Section 38 of this Act shall accrue the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of accruing additional final compensation and retirement benefits under subsection (14) of Section 14 of this Act, subsection (14) of Section 15 of this Act, or Section 19 or 27 of this Act.

(2) The 401(a) money purchase plan shall be a mandatory defined contribution plan and shall provide a retirement benefit based upon the member's accumulated account balance, which shall include:

(a) Contributions made by the member as provided by KRS 61.510 to 61.705 and 78.510 to 78.852, except for employee contributions prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(b) An employer contribution of four percent (4%) of the creditable compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the 401(a) money purchase plan provided by this section; and

(c) Investment returns on employee and employer contributions. Investment returns on the employee and employer contributions shall be net of administrative expenses and investment fees and expenses.

(3) (a) Member contributions and employer contributions as provided by subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall be credited to the member's account monthly as contributions are reported and posted to the system in accordance with KRS 61.675 or 78.625.

(b) Investment returns shall be determined based upon the investment program established by the board, which may include but not be limited to a program that invests in system assets or asset classes, a program that provides investment options selected or authorized by the board internally or through an external vendor, or investment options provided through an agreement with the Kentucky Employees Deferred Compensation Authority.

(4) (a) Upon termination of employment, a member who has less than five (5) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall forfeit the accumulated employer contribution, and shall only receive a refund of his or her accumulated contributions.

(b) Upon termination of employment, a member who has five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall receive a full refund of his or her accumulated account balance.

(5) A member participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan provided by this section may retire:

(a) At his or her normal retirement date, if he or she has earned five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system; or

(b) If the member is at least age fifty-seven (57) and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for retirement under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system; or

(c) Immediately for those members electing to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan as described by subsection (1)(c) to (d) of this section if he or she is otherwise eligible to retire from the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(6) A member eligible to retire under subsection (5) of this section may elect to:

(a) Receive a monthly retirement allowance payable for life by having his or her accumulated account balance in the 401(a) defined contribution plan annuitized by the retirement systems in accordance with the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods adopted by the board and in effect on the member's retirement date;

(b) Receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance calculated under paragraph (a) of this subsection payable under one (1) of the options set forth in KRS 61.635, except for the option provided by KRS 61.635(11); or

(c) Take a refund of his or her account balance as provided by KRS 61.625.

(7) Members who are participating in the 401(a) defined contribution plan as described by subsection (1)(c) to (d) of this section upon retirement may:

(a) Elect to annuitize only the portion of their accumulated account balance that was accrued in the 401(a) money purchase plan; or

(b) Elect to take a refund of his or her account balance accrued solely while participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prohibit a member from receiving a monthly benefit under the provisions of Section 27 of this Act for service accrued in the systems prior to participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to members who began participating in the systems or plans administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems prior to July 1, 2019, unless the member makes an election as provided by this section or by Section 7 or 38 of this Act.

As used in KRS 16.505 to 16.652, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "System" means the State Police Retirement System created by KRS 16.505 to 16.652;

(2) "Board" means the board of trustees of the Kentucky Retirement Systems;

(3) "Employer" or "State Police" means the Department of Kentucky State Police, or its successor;

(4) "Current service" means the number of years and completed months of employment as an employee subsequent to July 1, 1958, for which creditable compensation was paid by the employer and employee contributions deducted except as otherwise provided;

(5) "Prior service" means the number of years and completed months of employment as an employee prior to July 1, 1958, for which creditable compensation was paid to the employee by the Commonwealth. Twelve (12) months of current service in the system are required to validate prior service;

(6) "Service" means the total of current service and prior service;

(7) "Accumulated contributions" at any time means the sum of all amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to his individual account in the member's account, including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 16.545(4), together with interest credited on such amounts as provided in KRS 16.505 to 16.652, and any other amounts the member shall have contributed, including interest credited. For members who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, "accumulated contributions" shall not include employee contributions that are deposited into accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, as prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(8) "Creditable compensation":

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection, means all salary and wages, including payments for compensatory time, paid to the employee as a result of services performed for the employer or for time during which the member is on paid leave, which are includable on the member's federal form W-2 wage and tax statement under the heading "wages, tips, other compensation," including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 16.545(4);

(b) Includes:

1. Lump-sum bonuses, severance pay, or employer-provided payments for purchase of service credit, which shall be averaged over the employee's total service with the system in which it is recorded if it is equal to or greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000);

2. Lump-sum payments for creditable compensation paid as a result of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, or for any creditable compensation paid in anticipation of settlement of an action before a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, including notices of violations of state or federal wage and hour statutes or violations of state or federal discrimination statutes, which shall be credited to the fiscal year during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer. This subparagraph shall also include lump-sum payments for reinstated wages pursuant to KRS 61.569, which shall be credited to the period during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer;

3. Amounts which are not includable in the member's gross income by virtue of the member having taken a voluntary salary reduction provided for under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; and

4. Elective amounts for qualified transportation fringes paid or made available on or after January 1, 2001, for calendar years on or after January 1, 2001, that are not includable in the gross income of the employee by reason of 26 U.S.C. sec. 132(f)(4); and

(c) Excludes:

1. Uniform, equipment, or any other expense allowances paid on or after January 1, 2019, living allowances, expense reimbursements, lump-sum payments for accrued vacation leave, and other items determined by the board; and

2. For employees who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, lump-sum payments for compensatory time;

(9) "Final compensation" means:

(a) For a member who begins participating prior to before September 1, 2008, who retires prior to January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of a member during the three (3) fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period, multiplied by twelve (12); the three (3) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive. If the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period is less than twenty-four (24), one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used; or

(b) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, or for a member who begins participating prior to September 1, 2008, who retires on or after January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) complete fiscal years he or she was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by three (3). Each fiscal year used to determine final compensation must contain twelve (12) months of service credit. If the member does not have three (3) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least thirty-six (36) months;

(10) "Final rate of pay" means the actual rate upon which earnings of a member were calculated during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the member's effective retirement date, including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 16.545(4). The rate shall be certified to the system by the employer and the following equivalents shall be used to convert the rate to an annual rate: two thousand eighty (2,080) hours for eight (8) hour workdays, one thousand nine hundred fifty (1,950) hours for seven and one-half (7- 1/2) hour workdays, two hundred sixty (260) days, fifty-two (52) weeks, twelve (12) months, or one (1) year;

(11) "Retired member" means any former member receiving a retirement allowance or any former member who has filed the necessary documents for retirement benefits and is no longer contributing to the retirement system;

(12) "Retirement allowance" means the retirement payments to which a retired member is entitled;

(13) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of actuarial tables adopted by the board. In cases of disability retirement, the options authorized by KRS 61.635 shall be computed by adding ten (10) years to the age of the member, unless the member has chosen the Social Security adjustment option as provided for in KRS 61.635(8), in which case the member's actual age shall be used. For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, no disability retirement option shall be less than the same option computed under early retirement;

(14) "Authorized leave of absence" means any time during which a person is absent from employment but retained in the status of an employee in accordance with the personnel policy of the Department of Kentucky State Police;

(15) "Normal retirement date" means:

(a) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, the first day of the month following a member's fifty-fifth birthday, except that for members over age fifty-five (55) on July 1, 1958, it shall mean January 1, 1959; or

(b) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, the first day of the month following a member's sixtieth birthday;

(16) "Disability retirement date" means the first day of the month following the last day of paid employment;

(17) "Dependent child" means a child in the womb and a natural or legally adopted child of the member who has neither attained age eighteen (18) nor married or who is an unmarried full-time student who has not attained age twenty-two (22);

(18) "Optional allowance" means an actuarially equivalent benefit elected by the member in lieu of all other benefits provided by KRS 16.505 to 16.652;

(19) "Act in line of duty" means an act occurring or a thing done, which, as determined by the board, was required in the performance of the duties specified in KRS 16.060. For employees in hazardous positions under KRS 61.592, an "act in line of duty" shall mean an act occurring which was required in the performance of the principal duties of the position as defined by the job description;

(20) "Early retirement date" means:

(a) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, the retirement date declared by a member who is not less than fifty (50) years of age and has fifteen (15) years of service; or

(b) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, the retirement date declared by a member who is not less than fifty (50) years of age and has fifteen (15) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system;

(21) "Member" means any officer included in the membership of the system as provided under KRS 16.520 whose membership has not been terminated under KRS 61.535;

(22) "Regular full-time officers" means the occupants of positions as set forth in KRS 16.010;

(23) "Hazardous disability" as used in KRS 16.505 to 16.652 means a disability which results in an employee's total incapacity to continue as an employee in a hazardous position, but the employee is not necessarily deemed to be totally and permanently disabled to engage in other occupations for remuneration or profit;

(24) "Current rate of pay" means the member's actual hourly, daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly rate of pay converted to an annual rate as defined in final rate of pay. The rate shall be certified by the employer;

(25) "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, estate, trust, or trustee designated by the member in accordance with KRS 61.542 or 61.705 to receive any available benefits in the event of the member's death. As used in KRS 61.702, "beneficiary" does not mean an estate, trust, or trustee;

(26) "Recipient" means the retired member, the person or persons designated as beneficiary by the member and drawing a retirement allowance as a result of the member's death, or a dependent child drawing a retirement allowance. An alternate payee of a qualified domestic relations order shall not be considered a recipient, except for purposes of KRS 61.623;

(27) "Person" means a natural person;

(28) "Retirement office" means the Kentucky Retirement Systems office building in Frankfort;

(29) "Delayed contribution payment" means an amount paid by an employee for purchase of current service. The amount shall be determined using the same formula in KRS 61.5525, and the payment shall not be picked up by the employer. A delayed contribution payment shall be deposited to the member's account and considered as accumulated contributions of the individual member;

(30) "Last day of paid employment" means the last date employer and employee contributions are required to be reported in accordance with KRS 16.543, 61.543, or 78.615 to the retirement office in order for the employee to receive current service credit for the month. Last day of paid employment does not mean a date the employee receives payment for accrued leave, whether by lump sum or otherwise, if that date occurs twenty-four (24) or more months after previous contributions;

(31) "Objective medical evidence" means reports of examinations or treatments; medical signs which are anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities that can be observed; psychiatric signs which are medically demonstrable phenomena indicating specific abnormalities of behavior, affect, thought, memory, orientation, or contact with reality; or laboratory findings which are anatomical, physiological, or psychological phenomena that can be shown by medically acceptable laboratory diagnostic techniques, including but not limited to chemical tests, electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, X-rays, and psychological tests;

(32) "Fiscal year" of the system means the twelve (12) months from July 1 through the following June 30, which shall also be the plan year. The "fiscal year" shall be the limitation year used to determine contribution and benefit limits established by 26 U.S.C. sec. 415;

(33) "Participating" means an employee is currently earning service credit in the system as provided in KRS 16.543;

(34) "Month" means a calendar month;

(35) "Membership date" means the date upon which the member began participating in the system as provided by KRS 16.543;

(36) "Participant" means a member, as defined by subsection (21) of this section, or a retired member, as defined by subsection (11) of this section;

(37) "Qualified domestic relations order" means any judgment, decree, or order, including approval of a property settlement agreement, that:

(a) Is issued by a court or administrative agency; and

(b) Relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to an alternate payee;

(38) "Alternate payee" means a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant, who is designated to be paid retirement benefits in a qualified domestic relations order;

(39) "Accumulated employer credit" means the employer pay credit deposited to the member's account and interest credited on such amounts as provided by KRS 16.583; and

(40) "Accumulated account balance" means:

(a) For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, the member's accumulated contributions; or

(b) For members who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contributions and the member's accumulated employer pay credit.

As used in KRS 61.510 to 61.705, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "System" means the Kentucky Employees Retirement System created by KRS 61.510 to 61.705;

(2) "Board" means the board of trustees of the system as provided in KRS 61.645;

(3) "Department" means any state department or board or agency participating in the system in accordance with appropriate executive order, as provided in KRS 61.520. For purposes of KRS 61.510 to 61.705, the members, officers, and employees of the General Assembly and any other body, entity, or instrumentality designated by executive order by the Governor, shall be deemed to be a department, notwithstanding whether said body, entity, or instrumentality is an integral part of state government;

(4) "Examiner" means the medical examiners as provided in KRS 61.665;

(5) "Employee" means the members, officers, and employees of the General Assembly and every regular full-time, appointed or elective officer or employee of a participating department, including the Department of Military Affairs. The term does not include persons engaged as independent contractors, seasonal, emergency, temporary, interim, and part-time workers. In case of any doubt, the board shall determine if a person is an employee within the meaning of KRS 61.510 to 61.705;

(6) "Employer" means a department or any authority of a department having the power to appoint or select an employee in the department, including the Senate and the House of Representatives, or any other entity, the employees of which are eligible for membership in the system pursuant to KRS 61.525;

(7) "State" means the Commonwealth of Kentucky;

(8) "Member" means any employee who is included in the membership of the system or any former employee whose membership has not been terminated under KRS 61.535;

(9) "Service" means the total of current service and prior service as defined in this section;

(10) "Current service" means the number of years and months of employment as an employee, on and after July 1, 1956, except that for members, officers, and employees of the General Assembly this date shall be January 1, 1960, for which creditable compensation is paid and employee contributions deducted, except as otherwise provided, and each member, officer, and employee of the General Assembly shall be credited with a month of current service for each month he serves in the position;

(11) "Prior service" means the number of years and completed months, expressed as a fraction of a year, of employment as an employee, prior to July 1, 1956, for which creditable compensation was paid; except that for members, officers, and employees of the General Assembly, this date shall be January 1, 1960. An employee shall be credited with one (1) month of prior service only in those months he received compensation for at least one hundred (100) hours of work; provided, however, that each member, officer, and employee of the General Assembly shall be credited with a month of prior service for each month he served in the position prior to January 1, 1960. Twelve (12) months of current service in the system are required to validate prior service;

(12) "Accumulated contributions" at any time means the sum of all amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to his individual account in the members' account, including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 61.560(4), together with interest credited, or investment returns earned as provided by Section 12 of this Act, on such amounts and any other amounts the member shall have contributed thereto, including interest credited thereon or investment returns earned as provided by Section 12 of this Act. For members who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, "Accumulated contributions" shall not include employee contributions that are deposited into accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, as prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(13) "Creditable compensation":

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection, means all salary, wages, tips to the extent the tips are reported for income tax purposes, and fees, including payments for compensatory time, paid to the employee as a result of services performed for the employer or for time during which the member is on paid leave, which are includable on the member's federal form W-2 wage and tax statement under the heading "wages, tips, other compensation," including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 61.560(4). For members of the General Assembly, it shall mean all amounts which are includable on the member's federal form W- 2 wage and tax statement under the heading "wages, tips, other compensation," including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 6.505(4) or 61.560(4);

(b) Includes:

1. Lump-sum bonuses, severance pay, or employer-provided payments for purchase of service credit, which shall be averaged over the employee's total service with the system in which it is recorded if it is equal to or greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000);

2. Cases where compensation includes maintenance and other perquisites, but the board shall fix the value of that part of the compensation not paid in money;

3. Lump-sum payments for creditable compensation paid as a result of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, or for any creditable compensation paid in anticipation of settlement of an action before a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, including notices of violations of state or federal wage and hour statutes or violations of state or federal discrimination statutes, which shall be credited to the fiscal year during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer. This subparagraph shall also include lump-sum payments for reinstated wages pursuant to KRS 61.569, which shall be credited to the period during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer;

4. Amounts which are not includable in the member's gross income by virtue of the member having taken a voluntary salary reduction provided for under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; and

5. Elective amounts for qualified transportation fringes paid or made available on or after January 1, 2001, for calendar years on or after January 1, 2001, that are not includable in the gross income of the employee by reason of 26 U.S.C. sec. 132(f)(4); and

(c) Excludes:

1. Uniform, equipment, or any other expense allowances paid on or after January 1, 2019, living allowances, expense reimbursements, lump-sum payments for accrued vacation leave, and other items determined by the board;

2. For employees who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, lump-sum payments for compensatory time;and

3. For employees participating in a nonhazardous position who began participating prior to September 1, 2008, and who retire after July 1, 2023, lump-sum payments for compensatory time upon termination of employment; and

4. For employees who begin participating on or after August 1, 2016, nominal fees paid for services as a volunteer;

(14) "Final compensation" of a member means:

(a) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , the creditable compensation of the member during the five (5) fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that five (5) year period multiplied by twelve (12). The five (5) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive, except that for members retiring on or after January 1, 2019, the five (5) fiscal years shall be complete fiscal years. If the number of months of service credit during the five (5) year period is less than forty-eight (48) for members retiring prior to January 1, 2019, one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used. If a member retiring on or after January 1, 2019, does not have five (5) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least sixty (60) months;

(b) For a member who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , whose effective retirement date is between August 1, 2001, and January 1, 2009, and whose total service credit is at least twenty-seven (27) years and whose age and years of service total at least seventy-five (75), final compensation means the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) fiscal years the member was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that three (3) years period multiplied by twelve (12). The three (3) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive. If the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period is less than twenty- four (24), one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used. Notwithstanding the provision of KRS 61.565, the funding for this paragraph shall be provided from existing funds of the retirement allowance;

(c) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who is employed in a hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592, and who retired prior to January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that three (3) year period multiplied by twelve (12). The three (3) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive. If the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period is less than twenty-four (24), one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used;

(d) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , the creditable compensation of the member during the five (5) complete fiscal years immediately preceding retirement divided by five (5). Each fiscal year used to determine final compensation must contain twelve (12) months of service credit. If the member does not have five (5) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least sixty (60) months; or

(e) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, who is employed in a hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592, or for a member who begins participating prior to September 1, 2008, who is employed in a hazardous position as provided in KRS 61.592, who retires on or after January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) complete fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by three (3). Each fiscal year used to determine final compensation must contain twelve (12) months of service credit. If the member does not have three (3) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least thirty-six (36) months;

(15) "Final rate of pay" means the actual rate upon which earnings of an employee were calculated during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the member's effective retirement date, including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 61.560(4). The rate shall be certified to the system by the employer and the following equivalents shall be used to convert the rate to an annual rate: two thousand eighty (2,080) hours for eight (8) hour workdays, nineteen hundred fifty (1,950) hours for seven and one-half (7-1/2) hour workdays, two hundred sixty (260) days, fifty-two (52) weeks, twelve (12) months, one (1) year;

(16) "Retirement allowance" means the retirement payments to which a member is entitled;

(17) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of the actuarial tables that are adopted by the board. In cases of disability retirement, the options authorized by KRS 61.635 shall be computed by adding ten (10) years to the age of the member, unless the member has chosen the Social Security adjustment option as provided for in KRS 61.635(8), in which case the member's actual age shall be used. For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, no disability retirement option shall be less than the same option computed under early retirement;

(18) "Normal retirement date" means the sixty-fifth birthday of a member, unless otherwise provided in KRS 61.510 to 61.705;

(19) "Fiscal year" of the system means the twelve (12) months from July 1 through the following June 30, which shall also be the plan year. The "fiscal year" shall be the limitation year used to determine contribution and benefit limits as established by 26 U.S.C. sec. 415;

(20) "Officers and employees of the General Assembly" means the occupants of those positions enumerated in KRS 6.150. The term shall also apply to assistants who were employed by the General Assembly for at least one (1) regular legislative session prior to July 13, 2004, who elect to participate in the retirement system, and who serve for at least six (6) regular legislative sessions. Assistants hired after July 13, 2004, shall be designated as interim employees;

(21) "Regular full-time positions," as used in subsection (5) of this section, shall mean all positions that average one hundred (100) or more hours per month determined by using the number of months actually worked within a calendar or fiscal year, including all positions except:

(a) Seasonal positions, which although temporary in duration, are positions which coincide in duration with a particular season or seasons of the year and which may recur regularly from year to year, the period of time shall not exceed nine (9) months;

(b) Emergency positions which are positions which do not exceed thirty (30) working days and are nonrenewable;

(c) Temporary positions which are positions of employment with a participating department for a period of time not to exceed nine (9) months and are nonrenewable;

(d) Part-time positions which are positions which may be permanent in duration, but which require less than a calendar or fiscal year average of one hundred (100) hours of work per month, determined by using the number of months actually worked within a calendar or fiscal year, in the performance of duty; and

(e) Interim positions which are positions established for a one-time or recurring need not to exceed nine (9) months;

(22) "Delayed contribution payment" means an amount paid by an employee for purchase of current service. The amount shall be determined using the same formula in KRS 61.5525, and the payment shall not be picked up by the employer. A delayed contribution payment shall be deposited to the member's account and considered as accumulated contributions of the individual member. In determining payments under this subsection, the formula found in this subsection shall prevail over the one found in KRS 212.434;

(23) "Parted employer" means a department, portion of a department, board, or agency, such as Outwood Hospital and School, which previously participated in the system, but due to lease or other contractual arrangement is now operated by a publicly held corporation or other similar organization, and therefore is no longer participating in the system. The term "parted employer" shall not include a department, board, or agency that ceased participation in the system pursuant to KRS 61.522;

(24) "Retired member" means any former member receiving a retirement allowance or any former member who has filed the necessary documents for retirement benefits and is no longer contributing to the retirement system;

(25) "Current rate of pay" means the member's actual hourly, daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly rate of pay converted to an annual rate as defined in final rate of pay. The rate shall be certified by the employer;

(26) "Beneficiary" means the person or persons or estate or trust or trustee designated by the member in accordance with KRS 61.542 or 61.705 to receive any available benefits in the event of the member's death. As used in KRS 61.702, "beneficiary" does not mean an estate, trust, or trustee;

(27) "Recipient" means the retired member or the person or persons designated as beneficiary by the member and drawing a retirement allowance as a result of the member's death or a dependent child drawing a retirement allowance. An alternate payee of a qualified domestic relations order shall not be considered a recipient, except for purposes of KRS 61.623;

(28) "Level dollar amortization method" "Level-percentage-of-payroll amortization method" means a method of determining the annual amortization payment on the unfunded actuarial accrued liability that is set as an equal dollar amount as expressed as a percentage of payroll over the remaining amortization period as of the actuarial valuation date a set period of years. Under this method, the percentage of payroll shall be projected to remain constant for all years remaining in the set period and the unfunded actuarially accrued liability shall be projected to be fully amortized at the conclusion of the amortization period set period;

(29) "Increment" means twelve (12) months of service credit which are purchased. The twelve (12) months need not be consecutive. The final increment may be less than twelve (12) months;

(30) "Person" means a natural person;

(31) "Retirement office" means the Kentucky Retirement Systems office building in Frankfort;

(32) "Last day of paid employment" means the last date employer and employee contributions are required to be reported in accordance with KRS 16.543, 61.543, or 78.615 to the retirement office in order for the employee to receive current service credit for the month. Last day of paid employment does not mean a date the employee receives payment for accrued leave, whether by lump sum or otherwise, if that date occurs twenty-four (24) or more months after previous contributions;

(33) "Objective medical evidence" means reports of examinations or treatments; medical signs which are anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities that can be observed; psychiatric signs which are medically demonstrable phenomena indicating specific abnormalities of behavior, affect, thought, memory, orientation, or contact with reality; or laboratory findings which are anatomical, physiological, or psychological phenomena that can be shown by medically acceptable laboratory diagnostic techniques, including but not limited to chemical tests, electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, X-rays, and psychological tests;

(34) "Participating" means an employee is currently earning service credit in the system as provided in KRS 61.543;

(35) "Month" means a calendar month;

(36) "Membership date" means:

(a) The date upon which the member began participating in the system as provided in KRS 61.543; or

(b) For a member electing to participate in the system pursuant to KRS 196.167(4) who has not previously participated in the system or the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, the date the member began participating in a defined contribution plan that meets the requirements of 26 U.S.C. sec. 403(b);

(37) "Participant" means a member, as defined by subsection (8) of this section, or a retired member, as defined by subsection (24) of this section;

(38) "Qualified domestic relations order" means any judgment, decree, or order, including approval of a property settlement agreement, that:

(a) Is issued by a court or administrative agency; and

(b) Relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to an alternate payee;

(39) "Alternate payee" means a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant, who is designated to be paid retirement benefits in a qualified domestic relations order;

(40) "Accumulated employer credit" mean the employer pay credit deposited to the member's account and interest credited on such amounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597;

(41) "Accumulated account balance" means:

(a) For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, the member's accumulated contributions;or

(b) For members who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contributions and the member's accumulated employer credit;or

(c) For nonhazardous members who are participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contribution and the member's accumulated employer contribution in the 401(a) money purchase plan;

(42) "Volunteer" means an individual who:

(a) Freely and without pressure or coercion performs hours of service for an employer participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems without receipt of compensation for services rendered, except for reimbursement of actual expenses, payment of a nominal fee to offset the costs of performing the voluntary services, or both; and

(b) If a retired member, does not become an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the employer for which he or she is performing volunteer services for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months following the retired member's most recent retirement date;and

(43) "Nominal fee" means compensation earned for services as a volunteer that does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month. Compensation earned for services as a volunteer from more than one (1) participating employer during a month shall be aggregated to determine whether the compensation exceeds the five hundred dollars ($500) per month maximum provided by this subsection;

(44) "Nonhazardous position" means a position that does not meet the requirements of KRS 61.592 or has not been approved by the board as a hazardous position; and

(45) "Accumulated employer contribution" means the employer contribution deposited to the member's account and any investment returns on such amounts as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

As used in KRS 78.510 to 78.852, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "System" means the County Employees Retirement System;

(2) "Board" means the board of trustees of the system as provided in KRS 78.780;

(3) "County" means any county, or nonprofit organization created and governed by a county, counties, or elected county officers, sheriff and his employees, county clerk and his employees, circuit clerk and his deputies, former circuit clerks or former circuit clerk deputies, or political subdivision or instrumentality, including school boards, charter county government, or urban-county government participating in the system by order appropriate to its governmental structure, as provided in KRS 78.530, and if the board is willing to accept the agency, organization, or corporation, the board being hereby granted the authority to determine the eligibility of the agency to participate;

(4) "School board" means any board of education participating in the system by order appropriate to its governmental structure, as provided in KRS 78.530, and if the board is willing to accept the agency or corporation, the board being hereby granted the authority to determine the eligibility of the agency to participate;

(5) "Examiner" means the medical examiners as provided in KRS 61.665;

(6) "Employee" means every regular full-time appointed or elective officer or employee of a participating county and the coroner of a participating county, whether or not he qualifies as a regular full-time officer. The term shall not include persons engaged as independent contractors, seasonal, emergency, temporary, and part-time workers. In case of any doubt, the board shall determine if a person is an employee within the meaning of KRS 78.510 to 78.852;

(7) "Employer" means a county, as defined in subsection (3) of this section, the elected officials of a county, or any authority of the county having the power to appoint or elect an employee to office or employment in the county;

(8) "Member" means any employee who is included in the membership of the system or any former employee whose membership has not been terminated under KRS 61.535;

(9) "Service" means the total of current service and prior service as defined in this section;

(10) "Current service" means the number of years and months of employment as an employee, on and after July 1, 1958, for which creditable compensation is paid and employee contributions deducted, except as otherwise provided;

(11) "Prior service" means the number of years and completed months, expressed as a fraction of a year, of employment as an employee, prior to July 1, 1958, for which creditable compensation was paid. An employee shall be credited with one (1) month of prior service only in those months he received compensation for at least one hundred (100) hours of work. Twelve (12) months of current service in the system shall be required to validate prior service;

(12) "Accumulated contributions" means the sum of all amounts deducted from the compensation of a member and credited to his individual account in the members' account, including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 78.610(4), together with interest credited, or investment returns earned as provided by Section 12 of this Act, on the amounts, and any other amounts the member shall have contributed thereto, including interest credited thereon or investment returns earned as provided by Section 12 of this Act. For members who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, "Accumulated contributions" shall not include employee contributions that are deposited into accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, as prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(13) "Creditable compensation":

(a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) or (c) of this subsection, means all salary, wages, and fees, including payments for compensatory time, paid to the employee as a result of services performed for the employer or for time during which the member is on paid leave, which are includable on the member's federal form W-2 wage and tax statement under the heading "wages, tips, other compensation", including employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 78.610(4);

(b) Includes:

1. Lump-sum bonuses, severance pay, or employer-provided payments for purchase of service credit, which shall be averaged over the employee's service with the system in which it is recorded if it is equal to or greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000);

2. Cases where compensation includes maintenance and other perquisites, but the board shall fix the value of that part of the compensation not paid in money;

3. Lump-sum payments for creditable compensation paid as a result of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, or for any creditable compensation paid in anticipation of settlement of an action before a court of competent jurisdiction, the Personnel Board, or the Commission on Human Rights, including notices of violations of state or federal wage and hour statutes or violations of state or federal discrimination statutes, which shall be credited to the fiscal year during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer. This subparagraph shall also include lump-sum payments for reinstated wages pursuant to KRS 61.569, which shall be credited to the period during which the wages were earned or should have been paid by the employer;

4. Amounts which are not includable in the member's gross income by virtue of the member having taken a voluntary salary reduction provided for under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code; and

5. Elective amounts for qualified transportation fringes paid or made available on or after January 1, 2001, for calendar years on or after January 1, 2001, that are not includable in the gross income of the employee by reason of 26 U.S.C. sec. 132(f)(4); and

(c) Excludes:

1. Uniform, equipment, or any other expense allowances paid on or after January 1, 2019, living allowances, expense reimbursements, lump-sum payments for accrued vacation leave, sick leave except as provided in KRS 78.616(5), and other items determined by the board;

2. For employees who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, lump-sum payments for compensatory time; and

3. Training incentive payments for city officers paid as set out in KRS 64.5277 to 64.5279; .

4. For employees who begin participating on or after August 1, 2016, creditable compensation shall exclude nominal fees paid for services as a volunteer; and

5. For employees who are employed in a nonhazardous position, who began participating prior to September 1, 2008, and who retire after July 1, 2023, lump-sum payments for compensatory time upon termination of employment;

(14) "Final compensation" means:

(a) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , the creditable compensation of the member during the five (5) fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that five (5) year period multiplied by twelve (12). The five (5) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive, except that for members retiring on or after January 1, 2019, the five (5) fiscal years shall be complete fiscal years. If the number of months of service credit during the five (5) year period is less than forty-eight (48) for members retiring prior to January 1, 2019, one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used. If a member retiring on or after January 1, 2019, does not have five (5) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least sixty (60) months;

(b) For a member who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , whose effective retirement date is between August 1, 2001, and January 1, 2009, and whose total service credit is at least twenty-seven (27) years and whose age and years of service total at least seventy-five (75), final compensation means the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) fiscal years the member was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that three (3) year period multiplied by twelve (12). The three (3) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive. If the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period is less than twenty-four (24), one (1) or more additional fiscal years shall be used. Notwithstanding the provision of KRS 61.565, the funding for this paragraph shall be provided from existing funds of the retirement allowance;

(c) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who is employed in a hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592, and who retired prior to January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by the number of months of service credit during that three (3) year period multiplied by twelve (12). The three (3) years may be fractional and need not be consecutive. If the number of months of service credit during the three (3) year period is less than twenty-four (24), one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be used;

(d) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, who is not employed in a nonhazardous hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592 , the creditable compensation of the member during the five (5) complete fiscal years immediately preceding retirement divided by five (5). Each fiscal year used to determine final compensation must contain twelve (12) months of service credit. If the member does not have five (5) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least sixty (60) months; or

(e) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, who is employed in a hazardous position, as provided in KRS 61.592, or for a member who begins participating prior to September 1, 2008, who is employed in a hazardous position as provided in KRS 61.592, who retires on or after January 1, 2019, the creditable compensation of the member during the three (3) complete fiscal years he was paid at the highest average monthly rate divided by three (3). Each fiscal year used to determine final compensation must contain twelve (12) months of service credit. If the member does not have three (3) complete fiscal years that each contain twelve (12) months of service credit, then one (1) or more additional fiscal years, which may contain less than twelve (12) months of service credit, shall be added until the number of months in the final compensation calculation is at least thirty-six (36) months;

(15) "Final rate of pay" means the actual rate upon which earnings of an employee were calculated during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the member's effective retirement date, and shall include employee contributions picked up after August 1, 1982, pursuant to KRS 78.610(4). The rate shall be certified to the system by the employer and the following equivalents shall be used to convert the rate to an annual rate: two thousand eighty (2,080) hours for eight (8) hour workdays, one thousand nine hundred fifty (1,950) hours for seven and one-half (7.5) hour workdays, two hundred sixty (260) days, fifty-two (52) weeks, twelve (12) months, one (1) year;

(16) "Retirement allowance" means the retirement payments to which a member is entitled;

(17) "Actuarial equivalent" means a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of the actuarial tables adopted by the board. In cases of disability retirement, the options authorized by KRS 61.635 shall be computed by adding ten (10) years to the age of the member, unless the member has chosen the Social Security adjustment option as provided for in KRS 61.635(8), in which case the member's actual age shall be used. For members who begin participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, no disability retirement option shall be less than the same option computed under early retirement;

(18) "Normal retirement date" means the sixty-fifth birthday of a member unless otherwise provided in KRS 78.510 to 78.852;

(19) "Fiscal year" of the system means the twelve (12) months from July 1 through the following June 30, which shall also be the plan year. The "fiscal year" shall be the limitation year used to determine contribution and benefits limits as set out in 26 U.S.C. sec. 415;

(20) "Agency reporting official" means the person designated by the participating agency who shall be responsible for forwarding all employer and employee contributions and a record of the contributions to the system and for performing other administrative duties pursuant to the provisions of KRS 78.510 to 78.852;

(21) "Regular full-time positions," as used in subsection (6) of this section, shall mean all positions that average one hundred (100) or more hours per month, determined by using the number of hours actually worked in a calendar or fiscal year, or eighty (80) or more hours per month in the case of noncertified employees of school boards, determined by using the number of hours actually worked in a calendar or school year, unless otherwise specified, except:

(a) Seasonal positions, which although temporary in duration, are positions which coincide in duration with a particular season or seasons of the year and that may recur regularly from year to year, in which case the period of time shall not exceed nine (9) months, except for employees of school boards, in which case the period of time shall not exceed six (6) months;

(b) Emergency positions that are positions that do not exceed thirty (30) working days and are nonrenewable;

(c) Temporary positions that are positions of employment with a participating agency for a period of time not to exceed twelve (12) months and not renewable;

(d) Probationary positions which are positions of employment with a participating employer that do not exceed twelve (12) months and that are used uniformly by the participating agency on new employees who would otherwise be eligible for participation in the system. Probationary positions shall not be renewable by the participating employer for the same employee, unless the employee has not been employed with the participating employer for a period of at least twelve (12) months; or

(e) Part-time positions that are positions that may be permanent in duration, but that require less than a calendar or fiscal year average of one hundred (100) hours of work per month, determined by using the number of months actually worked within a calendar or fiscal year, in the performance of duty, except in case of noncertified employees of school boards, the school term average shall be eighty (80) hours of work per month, determined by using the number of months actually worked in a calendar or school year, in the performance of duty;

(22) "Alternate participation plan" means a method of participation in the system as provided for by KRS 78.530(3);

(23) "Retired member" means any former member receiving a retirement allowance or any former member who has on file at the retirement office the necessary documents for retirement benefits and is no longer contributing to the system;

(24) "Current rate of pay" means the member's actual hourly, daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly rate of pay converted to an annual rate as defined in final rate of pay. The rate shall be certified by the employer;

(25) "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, estate, trust, or trustee designated by the member in accordance with KRS 61.542 or 61.705 to receive any available benefits in the event of the member's death. As used in KRS 61.702, beneficiary shall not mean an estate, trust, or trustee;

(26) "Recipient" means the retired member, the person or persons designated as beneficiary by the member and drawing a retirement allowance as a result of the member's death, or a dependent child drawing a retirement allowance. An alternate payee of a qualified domestic relations order shall not be considered a recipient, except for purposes of KRS 61.623;

(27) "Person" means a natural person;

(28) "School term or year" means the twelve (12) months from July 1 through the following June 30;

(29) "Retirement office" means the Kentucky Retirement Systems office building in Frankfort;

(30) "Delayed contribution payment" means an amount paid by an employee for current service obtained under KRS 61.552. The amount shall be determined using the same formula in KRS 61.5525, except the determination of the actuarial cost for classified employees of a school board shall be based on their final compensation, and the payment shall not be picked up by the employer. A delayed contribution payment shall be deposited to the member's account and considered as accumulated contributions of the individual member. In determining payments under this subsection, the formula found in this subsection shall prevail over the one found in KRS 212.434;

(31) "Participating" means an employee is currently earning service credit in the system as provided in KRS 78.615;

(32) "Month" means a calendar month;

(33) "Membership date" means the date upon which the member began participating in the system as provided in KRS 78.615;

(34) "Participant" means a member, as defined by subsection (8) of this section, or a retired member, as defined by subsection (23) of this section;

(35) "Qualified domestic relations order" means any judgment, decree, or order, including approval of a property settlement agreement, that:

(a) Is issued by a court or administrative agency; and

(b) Relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to an alternate payee;

(36) "Alternate payee" means a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant, who is designated to be paid retirement benefits in a qualified domestic relations order;

(37) "Accumulated employer credit" means the employer pay credit deposited to the member's account and interest credited on such amounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597;

(38) "Accumulated account balance" means:

(a) For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, the member's accumulated contributions; or

(b) For members who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contributions and the member's accumulated employer credit; or

(c) For nonhazardous members who are participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contributions and the member's accumulated employer contributions in the 401(a) money purchase plan;

(39) "Volunteer" means an individual who:

(a) Freely and without pressure or coercion performs hours of service for an employer participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems without receipt of compensation for services rendered, except for reimbursement of actual expenses, payment of a nominal fee to offset the costs of performing the voluntary services, or both; and

(b) If a retired member, does not become an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the employer for which he or she is performing volunteer services for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months following the retired member's most recent retirement date; and

(40) "Nominal fee" means compensation earned for services as a volunteer that does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month. Compensation earned for services as a volunteer from more than one (1) participating employer during a month shall be aggregated to determine whether the compensation exceeds the five hundred dollars ($500) per month maximum provided by this subsection;

(41) "Nonhazardous position" means a position that does not meet the requirements of KRS 61.592 or has not been approved by the board as a hazardous position; and

(42) "Accumulated employer contribution" means the employer contribution deposited to the member's account and any investment returns on such amounts as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, any member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System whose retirement date is July 14, 1984, or thereafter, shall receive credit for unused sick leave accrued while contributing to the retirement system from which the retirement benefit is to be paid in accordance with this section.

(2) (a) Upon the member's notification of retirement as prescribed in KRS 16.576 or 61.590, the employer shall certify the retiring member's unused, accumulated sick leave balance to the system.

(b) The member's sick leave balance, expressed in days, shall be divided by the average number of working days per month in the state service and rounded to the nearest number of whole months.

(c) Except as provided by subsections (3) and (4) of this section, the member's sick leave balance, expressed in months, shall upon retirement be added to his service credit for the purpose of determining his annual retirement allowance under KRS 16.505 to 16.652 or 61.510 to 61.705 and for the purpose of determining whether the member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 16.505 to 16.652 or 61.510 to 61.705, except as provided by subsection (3) of this section. Accumulated sick leave in excess of six (6) months shall be added to the member's service credit, and the last participating Kentucky Employees Retirement Systems employer shall pay to the retirement system the value of the additional service credit based on the formula adopted by the board, except as provided by subsection (3) of this section. All of a state policeman's sick leave balance, expressed in months, except as provided by subsection (3) of this section, shall be added to his service credit for the purposes of determining his annual retirement allowance and whether the member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 16.505 to 16.652.

(3) For a member who begins participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System on or after September 1, 2008:

(a) The member shall receive no more than twelve (12) months of service credit upon retirement for accumulated unused sick leave accrued while contributing to the retirement system or systems from which the retirement benefit is to be paid;

(b) The service credited for accumulated unused sick leave as limited by this section and added to the member's service credit shall be used for purposes of determining the member's annual retirement allowance under KRS 16.505 to 16.652 and 61.510 to 61.705; and

(c) The service credited for accumulated unused sick leave and added to the member's service credit shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under any of the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652 and 61.510 to 61.705 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions ; and

(d) Except as provided by subsection (4) of this section, the value of any accumulated unused sick leave in excess of six (6) months that is added to the member's service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System shall be paid to the retirement system by the last participating Kentucky Employees Retirement System employer based upon the formula adopted by the board.

(4) For a member who began participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System prior to September 1, 2008, who retires on or after July 1, 2023, the service credited for accumulated unused sick leave and added to the member's service credit shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under any of the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652 and 61.510 to 61.705 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section to the contrary, the value of any accumulated sick leave that is added to the member's service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System on or after July 1, 2010, shall be paid to the retirement system by the last participating Kentucky Employees Retirement System or State Police Retirement System employer based upon a formula adopted by the board.

(6) (5) The provisions of this section shall not apply to a participating agency whose employees are not employed by the Commonwealth until the agency certifies to the system that a sick leave program has been formally adopted and is universally administered within the agency, except that any agency participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System who has not adopted a sick leave program prior to August 1, 2018, shall not be eligible to adopt a sick leave program under this section.

(7) (6) This section shall not apply to members who begin participating in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after January 1, 2014.

(1) Any agency participating in the County Employees Retirement System which has formally adopted a sick-leave program that is universally administered to its employees may purchase service credit with the retirement system for up to six (6) months of unused sick leave for each retiring employee.

(2) Participation under this section shall be at the option of each participating employer. The election to participate shall be made by the governing authority of the participating employer and shall be certified in writing to the system on forms prescribed by the board. The certification shall provide for equal treatment of all employees participating under this section.Any employer in the County Employees Retirement System who has not elected to participate in a sick leave program established by this section prior to August 1, 2018, shall not be eligible to elect to participate in a sick leave program established by this section.

(3) (a) Upon the member's notification of retirement as prescribed in KRS 61.590, the employer shall certify the retiring employee's unused, accumulated sick- leave balance to the system. The member's sick-leave balance, expressed in days, shall be divided by the average number of working days per month in county service and rounded to the nearest number of whole months. A maximum of six (6) months of the member's sick-leave balance, expressed in months, shall be added to his service credit for the purpose of determining his annual retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 and for the purpose of determining whether the member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852, except as provided by paragraphs paragraph (d) and (e) of this subsection. Accumulated sick-leave in excess of six (6) months shall be added to the member's service credit if the member or employer pays to the retirement system the value of the additional service credit based on the formula adopted by the board, subject to the restrictions provided by paragraph (d) of this subsection.

(b) The employer may elect to pay fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the sick leave in excess of six (6) months on behalf of its employees. The employee shall pay the remaining fifty percent (50%). The payment by the employer shall not be deposited to the member's account. Service credit shall not be credited to the member's account until both the employer's and employee's payments are received by the retirement system.

(c) Once the employer elects to pay all or fifty percent (50%) of the cost on behalf of its employees, it shall continue to pay the same portion of the cost.

(d) For a member who begins participating in the retirement system on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, whose employer has established a sick-leave program under subsections (1) to (4) and (6) of this section:

1. The member shall receive no more than twelve (12) months of service credit upon retirement for accumulated unused sick leave accrued while contributing to the retirement system from which the retirement benefit is to be paid;

2. The service added to the member's service credit shall be used for purposes of determining the member's annual retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852;

3. The service added to the member's service credit shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions; and

4. The cost of the service provided by this paragraph shall be paid by the employer.

(e) For members who began participating in the retirement system prior to September 1, 2008, who retire on or after July 1, 2023, any service added for accumulated sick leave to the member's service credit shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions.

(4) The system shall compute the cost of the sick-leave credit of each retiring employee and bill each employer with whom the employee accrued sick leave accordingly. The employer shall remit payment within thirty (30) days from receipt of the bill.

(5) (a) As an alternative to subsections (1), (3), (4), and (6) of this section, any agency participating in the County Employees Retirement System which has formally adopted a sick-leave program that is universally administered to its employees, or administered to a majority of eligible employees in accordance with subsection (6) of this section, shall, at the time of termination, or as authorized by provided in KRS 161.155 in the case of school boards, compensate the employee for unused sick-leave days the employee has accumulated which it is the uniform policy of the agency to allow.

(b) The rate of compensation for each unused sick-leave day shall be based on the daily salary rate calculated from the employee's current rate of pay. Payment for unused sick-leave days shall be incorporated into the employee's final compensation if the employee and employer make the regular employee and employer contributions, respectively, on the sick-leave payment.

(c) The number of sick-leave days for which the employee is compensated shall be divided by the average number of working days per month in county service and rounded to the nearest number of whole months. This number of months shall be added to the employee's total service credit and to the number of months used to determine creditable compensation, pursuant to KRS 78.510, but no more than sixty (60) months shall be used to determine final compensation. For an employee who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, the number of months added to the employee's total service credit under this paragraph shall not exceed twelve (12) months, and the additional service shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions.

(d) For members who began participating in the retirement system prior to September 1, 2008, who retire on or after July 1, 2023, any service added for accumulated sick leave to the member's service credit shall not be used to determine whether a member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 or to reduce any applicable actuarial reductions.

(6) Any city of the first class that has two (2) or more sick-leave programs for its employees may purchase service credit with the retirement system for up to six (6) months of unused sick leave for each retiring employee who participates in the sick- leave program administered to a majority of the eligible employees of the city. An employee participating in a sick-leave program administered to a minority of the eligible employees shall become eligible for the purchase of service credit under this subsection when the employee commences participating in the sick-leave program that is administered to a majority of the eligible employees of the city.

(7) The provisions of this section shall not apply to employees who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, and no service credit shall be provided for accumulated sick leave balances of those employees who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014.

(1) (a) Each employer participating in the State Police Retirement System as provided for in KRS 16.505 to 16.652, each employer participating in the County Employees Retirement System as provided for in KRS 78.510 to 78.852, and each employer participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as provided for in KRS 61.510 to 61.705 shall contribute annually to the respective retirement system an amount determined by the actuarial valuation completed in accordance with KRS 61.670 and as specified by this section. Employer contributions for each respective retirement system shall be equal to the sum of percent, as computed under subsection (2) of this section, of the creditable compensation of its employees to be known as the "normal cost contribution contributions, " and an additional amount to be known as the "actuarially accrued liability contribution."

(b) For purposes of this section, the normal cost contribution shall be computed as a percentage of pay and shall be an annual amount that is sufficient when combined with employee contributions to fund benefits earned during the year in the respective system or plan, including costs for those members who elect to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan. The amount shall be paid as a percentage of creditable compensation reported for each employee participating in the system or plan and accruing benefits.

(c) For purposes of this section, the actuarially accrued liability contribution which shall be an annual dollar amount that is sufficient to amortize computed by amortizing the total unfunded actuarially accrued liability of each system over a closed period of thirty (30) years using the level-dollar level-percentage-of-payroll amortization method. This method shall be used beginning with the 2019 2007 actuarial valuation, and employer costs for the actuarially accrued liability contribution shall be prorated to each employer as provided by paragraph (f) of this subsection . The initial thirty (30) year amortization period shall begin with the 2007 actuarial valuation, except as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection .

(d) The employer contributions computed under this section shall be determined using:

1. The entry age normal cost funding method;

2. An asset smoothing method that smooths investment gains and losses over a five (5) year period; and

3. Other funding methods and assumptions established by the board in accordance with KRS 61.670.

(e) (b) Effective with the 2019 2013 actuarial valuation, the amortization period for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System shall be reset to a new thirty (30) year closed period for purposes of calculating the actuarially accrued liability contribution prescribed by this subsection.

(f) The dollar value of the actuarially accrued liability contribution specified by paragraph (c) of this subsection payable by each individual system employer based upon the 2019 actuarial valuation shall be prorated based upon the individual employer's average percentage of the total creditable compensation reported by all employers in the specific system in fiscal years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017, except that the amount shall:

1. Not apply to any employer who ceases participation and pays the full actuarial cost of ceasing participation as provided by KRS 61.522;

2. Be adjusted for each remaining employer of a system to reflect any employer who ceases participation and who pays the full actuarial cost of ceasing participation as provided by KRS 61.522; and

3. Be a single amount for all executive branch departments, program cabinets and their respective departments and administrative bodies enumerated in KRS 12.020, and any other executive branch agencies administratively attached to a department, program cabinet, or administrative body enumerated in KRS 12.020.

(c) Any significant increase in the actuarially accrued liability due to benefit improvements after the 2007 valuation shall be amortized using the level- percentage-of-payroll amortization method over a separate thirty (30) year period commencing in the year of the actuarial valuation in which the benefit improvements are first reflected.

(2) The normal contribution rate shall be determined by the entry age normal cost funding method. The actuarially accrued liability shall be determined by actuarial method consistent with the methods prescribed for determining the normal contribution rate. Normal contributions and the actuarially accrued liability contribution shall be determined on actuarial bases adopted by the board.

(3) (a) Normal cost contribution rates and the actuarially accrued liability contribution rates shall be determined by the board on the basis of the annual actuarial valuation last preceding the July 1 of a new biennium.

(b) The board may amend contribution rates as of July 1 of the second year of a biennium for the County Employees Retirement System , if it is determined on the basis of a subsequent actuarial valuation that amended contribution rates are necessary to satisfy the requirements of subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(c) Effective for employer contribution rates payable on or after July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2020, the board shall not have the authority to amend contribution rates as of July 1 of the second year of the biennium for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the State Police Retirement System.

(3) (4) The system shall advise each employer prior to the beginning of each biennium, or prior to July 1 of the second year of a biennium for employers participating in the County Employees Retirement System, of any change in the employer contribution rate. Based on the employer contribution rate, each employer shall include in the budget sufficient funds to pay the employer contributions as determined by the board under subsections (1) to (3) of this section.

(4) (5) The General Assembly shall pay the full actuarially required contribution rate, as prescribed by this section, to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the State Police Retirement System in fiscal years occurring on or after July 1, 2014.

(5) (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS Chapter 61 to the contrary, the board shall establish employer contribution rates for the County Employees Retirement System that will phase in to the full actuarially required contribution for the health insurance fund over a ten (10) year period using the 2007-2008 fiscal year employer contribution for the health insurance fund as a base employer rate and incrementally increasing the employer rate from fiscal year 2008-2009 through fiscal year 2017-2018.

(1) A member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System who is not participating in a nonhazardous hazardous duty position as provided by KRS 61.592 , whose participation in the systems begins on or after January 1, 2014, except for those members or a member making an election pursuant to KRS 61.5955 or Section 12 of this Act, shall receive the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of the retirement benefits provided under KRS 61.559 and 61.595. The retirement benefit provided by this section shall be known as the hybrid cash balance plan and shall operate as another benefit tier within the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and the County Employees Retirement System.

(2) The hybrid cash balance plan shall provide a retirement benefit based upon the member's accumulated account balance, which shall include:

(a) Contributions made by the member as provided by KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852, except for employee contributions prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(b) An employer pay credit of four percent (4%) of the creditable compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section; and

(c) Interest credits added annually to the member's accumulated account balance as provided by this section.

(3) (a) Member contributions and employer pay credits as provided by subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall be credited to the member's account monthly as contributions are reported and posted to the system in accordance with KRS 61.675 and 78.625.

(b) Interest credits, as provided by subsection (2)(c) of this section, shall be credited to the member's account annually on June 30 of each fiscal year, as determined by subsection (4) of this section.

(4) (a) On June 30 of each fiscal year, the system shall determine if the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year.

(b) If the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state- administered retirement system during the fiscal year, the interest credit added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by a percentage increase equal to eighty-five percent (85%) :

1. Four percent (4%); plus

2. seventy-five percent (75%) of the system's geometric average net investment return, but in no case shall be less than zero percent (0%) in excess of a four percent (4%) rate of return.

(c) If the member did not contribute to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year, then no the interest credit shall be added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by four percent (4%).

(d) For purposes of this subsection, "system's geometric average net investment return":

1. Means the annual average geometric investment return, net of administrative and investment fees and expenses, over the last ten (10) five (5) fiscal years as of the date the interest is credited to the member's account; and

2. Shall be expressed as a percentage and based upon the system in which the member has an account.

(e) No employer pay credits or interest credits shall be provided to a member who has taken a refund of contributions as provided by KRS 61.625 or who has retired and annuitized his or her accumulated account balance as prescribed by this section.

(5) (a) Upon termination of employment, a member who has less than five (5) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall forfeit the accumulated employer credit, and shall only receive a refund of his or her accumulated contributions.

(b) Upon termination of employment, a member who has five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall receive a full refund of his or her accumulated account balance.

(6) A member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section may retire:

(a) At his or her normal retirement date, provided he or she has earned five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system; or

(b) If the member is at least age fifty-seven (57) and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for retirement under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system.

(7) A member eligible to retire under subsection (6) of this section may elect to:

(a) Receive a monthly retirement allowance payable for life by having his or her accumulated account balance annuitized by the retirement systems in accordance with the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods adopted by the board and in effect on the member's retirement date;

(b) Receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance calculated under paragraph (a) of this subsection payable under one (1) of the options set forth in KRS 61.635, except for the option provided by KRS 61.635(11); or

(c) Take a refund of his or her account balance as provided by KRS 61.625.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to members who began participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System prior to January 1, 2014, except for those members making an election pursuant to KRS 61.5955.

(1) The members' account shall be the account to which:

(a) All members' contributions, or contributions picked up by the employer after August 1, 1982, and interest allowances or investment returns as provided in KRS 61.510 to 61.692 shall be credited, except as provided by KRS 61.702(2)(b);and

(b) For members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, who are participating in the hybrid cash balance plan, the employer pay credit and interest credited on such amounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 shall be credited; and

(c) For members who elect to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 7, 12, or 38 of this Act, the employer contribution and investment return on such amounts as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

Only funds from this account shall be used to return the accumulated contributions or accumulated account balances of a member when required by reason of any provision of KRS 61.510 to 61.705. Prior to the member's retirement, death, or refund in accordance with KRS 61.625, no funds shall be made available from the member account.

(2) Each member's contribution or contribution picked up by the employer shall be credited to the individual account of the contributing member, except as provided by KRS 61.702(2)(b).

(3) Except for the portion of the member's account balance in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act:

(a) Each member shall have his individual account credited with interest on June 30 of each fiscal year.

(b) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, interest shall be credited to his individual account at a rate determined by the board but not less than two percent (2%) per annum on the accumulated account balance of the member on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year.

(c) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, interest shall be credited to his individual account at a rate of two and one-half percent (2.5%) per annum on the accumulated account balance of the member on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year.

(d) For a member who begins participating on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan, interest shall be credited in accordance with KRS 16.583 and 61.597.

(e) The amounts of interest credited to a member's account under this subsection shall be transferred from the retirement allowance account.

(4) (a) Upon the retirement of a member who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, his or her accumulated account balance shall be transferred from the members' account to the retirement allowance account.

(b) Upon the retirement of a member who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, or who elects to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan, who elects to annuitize his or her accumulated account balance in the hybrid cash balance plan or 401(a) money purchase plan as prescribed by KRS 16.583(7)(a) or (b), or 61.597(7)(a) or (b), or subsection (6)(a) or (b) of Section 12 of this Act, the member's accumulated account balance shall be transferred to the retirement allowance account.

(1) The members' account shall be the account to which:

(a) All members' contributions, or contributions picked up by the employer after August 1, 1982, and interest allowances or investment returns as provided in KRS 78.510 to 78.852 shall be credited, except as provided by KRS 61.702(2)(b);and

(b) For members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, who are participating in the hybrid cash balance plan, the employer pay credit and interest credited on such amounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 shall be credited; and

(c) For members who elect to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan provided by Section 7, 12, or 38 of this Act, the employer contribution and investment return on such amounts as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

Only funds from this account shall be used to return the accumulated contributions or accumulated account balances of a member when required to be returned to him by reason of any provision of KRS 78.510 to 78.852. Prior to the member's retirement, death, or refund in accordance with KRS 61.625, no funds shall be made available from the member account.

(2) Each member's contribution or contribution picked up by the employer shall be credited to the individual account of the contributing member, except as provided by KRS 61.702(2)(b).

(3) Except for the portion of the member's account balance in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act:

(a) Each member shall have his individual account credited with interest on June 30 of each year.

(b) For a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, interest shall be credited to his individual account at a rate determined by the board but not less than two percent (2%) per annum on the accumulated account balance of the member on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year.

(c) For a member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, interest shall be credited to his or her individual account at a rate of two and one-half percent (2.5%) per annum on the accumulated contributions of the member on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year.

(d) For a member who begins participating on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan, interest shall be credited in accordance with KRS 16.583 and 61.597.

(e) The amounts of interest credited to a member's account under this subsection shall be transferred from the retirement allowance account.

(4) (a) Upon the retirement of a member who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, his accumulated account balance shall be transferred from the members' account to the retirement allowance account.

(b) Upon the retirement of a member who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, or who elects to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan, who elects to annuitize his or her accumulated account balance in the hybrid cash balance plan or 401(a) money purchase plan as prescribed by KRS 16.583(7)(a) or (b), or 61.597(7)(a) or (b), or subsection (6)(a) or (b) of Section 12 of this Act, the member's accumulated account balance shall be transferred to the retirement allowance account.

The retirement allowance account shall be the account in which shall be accumulated all employer contributions and amounts transferred from the members' account, and to which all income from the invested assets of the system shall be credited. From this account shall be paid the expenses of the system and the board incurred in administration of the system, retirement allowances, and any other benefits payable after a member's retirement and from this account shall be transferred to the members' account:

(1) The employer pay credit added monthly to each member's individual accounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597;and

(2) The employer contribution for the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act; and

(3) The interest credited annually to a each member's individual account as provided by KRS 61.510 to 61.705.

The retirement allowance account shall be the account in which shall be accumulated all employer contributions and amounts transferred from the members' account, and to which all income from the invested assets of the system shall be credited. From this account shall be paid the expenses of the system and the board in administration of the system, retirement allowances, and any other benefits payable after a member's retirement and from this account shall be transferred to the members' account:

(1) The employer pay credit added monthly to each member's individual accounts as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597; and

(2) The employer contribution for the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act; and

(3) The interest credited annually to a each member's individual account as provided by KRS 78.510 to 78.852.

(1) If the death of a member dies in service occurs on or after August 1, 1992, as a direct result of an " act in line of duty" as defined in subsection (19) of Section 13 of this Act and is survived by a spouse: and the member has on file in the retirement office at the time of his or her death a written designation of only one (1) beneficiary, who is his or her spouse, the beneficiary

(a) The surviving spouse shall be the beneficiary, and this shall supersede the designation of all previous beneficiaries of the deceased member's retirement account; and

(b) The surviving spouse may elect to receive a lump-sum payment of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and a monthly payment equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the member's monthly final rate of pay beginning in the month following the member's death and continuing each month until death.

(2) If the death of a member dies in service occurs on or after July 1, 1968, as a direct result of an " act in line of duty" as defined in subsection (19) of Section 13 of this Act and the member has on file in the retirement office at the time of his or her death a written designation of only one (1) beneficiary other than his or her spouse who has not been superseded by the surviving spouse as provided by subsection (1)(a) of this section and , who is a dependent receiving at least one- half (1/2) of his or her support from the deceased member, the beneficiary may elect to receive a lump-sum payment of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(3) In the period of time following a member's death during which dependent children survive, monthly payments shall be made for each dependent child who is alive, equal to ten percent (10%) of the deceased member's monthly final rate of pay; however, total maximum dependent children's benefits shall not be greater than forty percent (40%) of the deceased member's monthly final rate of pay at the time any particular payment is due. The payments shall commence in the month following the date of death of the member and shall be payable to the beneficiaries, or to a legally appointed guardian or as directed by the system. Benefits shall be payable under this subsection notwithstanding an election by a surviving spouse or beneficiary to withdraw the deceased member's accumulated account balance as provided in KRS 61.625 or benefits under any other provisions of KRS 16.510 to 16.652.

(4) A surviving spouse or beneficiary eligible for benefits under subsection (1) or (2) of this section who is also eligible for benefits under any other provisions of KRS 16.510 to 16.652 may elect benefits under this section or any other section of KRS 16.510 to 16.652 but cannot elect to receive both.

(5) (a) A surviving spouse or beneficiary applying for benefits under subsection (1) or (2) of this section who is also eligible for benefits under KRS 16.578 may elect to receive benefits under KRS 16.578(2)(a) or (b) while the application for benefits under subsection (1) or (2) of this section is pending.

(b) If a final determination results in a finding of eligibility for benefits under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, the system shall recalculate the benefits due the surviving spouse or beneficiary in accordance with this subsection.

(c) If the surviving spouse or beneficiary has been paid less than the amount of benefits to which the beneficiary was entitled to receive under this section, the system shall pay the additional funds due to the surviving spouse or beneficiary.

(d) If the surviving spouse or beneficiary has been paid more than the amount of benefits to which the surviving spouse or beneficiary was entitled to receive under this section, the system shall deduct the amount overpaid to the surviving spouse or beneficiary from the ten thousand dollars ($10,000) lump-sum payment and from the monthly retirement allowance payments until the amount owed to the systems has been recovered.

(1) (a) Any employee participating in one (1) of the state-administered retirement systems who has been refunded his accumulated account balance under the provisions of KRS 16.645(21), 61.625, or 78.545(15), thereby losing service credit, may regain the credit by paying to the system from which he received the refund or refunds the amount or amounts refunded with interest at a rate determined by the board of the respective retirement system.

(b) Service purchased under this subsection shall not be used in determining a retirement allowance until the member has accrued at least six (6) months of service credit in a state-administered retirement system, excluding the service purchased under this subsection. If the member does not accrue at least six (6) months of service credit in a state-administered retirement system, excluding service purchased under this subsection, then the payment plus interest as provided in KRS 61.575 shall be refunded upon retirement, death, or written request following termination of employment. The service requirement shall be waived if the member dies or becomes disabled as provided for by KRS 16.582, 61.600, or 61.621.

(c) Service purchased under this subsection on or after January 1, 2014, shall not be used to determine the member's participation date in the system.Members participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act shall not be eligible to purchase service under this subsection.

(2) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, and who did not elect membership in the County Employees Retirement System, as provided in KRS 78.540(2), may purchase service credit in the County Employees Retirement System for the service he would have received had he elected membership.

(3) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, and who did not elect membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, as provided in KRS 61.525(2), may purchase service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for the service he would have received had he elected membership.

(4) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, may purchase service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System for service between July 1, 1956, and the effective date of participation of his department.

(5) (a) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, may purchase service credit in the County Employees Retirement System for service between July 1, 1958, and the effective date of participation of his county.

(b) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit for the period of his service with an area development district created pursuant to KRS 147A.050 or with a business development corporation created pursuant to KRS 155.001 to 155.230 if that service was not covered by a state-administered retirement system. The employee may obtain credit for employment with a business development corporation only if the Kentucky Retirement Systems receives a favorable private letter ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a favorable opinion letter from the United States Department of Labor.

(6) The member shall not receive service credit for the same period of time in which the member has service credit in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems or another public defined benefit retirement fund.

(7) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months' service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months' service if under age sixty-five (65) in the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, who formerly worked for a state university in a nonteaching position which would have qualified as a regular full-time position had the university been a participating department, and who did not participate in a defined benefit retirement program at the university, may purchase service credit in any of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems in which the employee is a member for the service he would have received had his period of university employment been covered by the County Employees Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System.

(8) (a) Effective August 1, 1980, any county participating in the County Employees Retirement System may purchase current service, between July 1, 1958, and participation date of the county, for present employees of the county who have obtained coverage under KRS 78.540(2).

(b) Effective July 1, 1973, any department participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System may purchase current service between July 1, 1956, and participation date of the department, for present employees of the department who were employees on the participation date of the department and elected coverage under KRS 61.525(2).

(c) Cost of the service credit purchased under this subsection shall be determined by computing the discounted value of the additional service credit based on an actuarial formula recommended by the board's consulting actuary and approved by the board. A department shall make payment for the service credit within the same fiscal year in which the option is elected. The county shall establish a payment schedule subject to approval by the board for payment of the service credit. The maximum period allowed in a payment schedule shall be ten (10) years with interest at the rate actuarially assumed by the board; however, a shorter period is desirable and the board may approve any schedule provided it is not longer than a ten (10) year period.

(d) If a county or department elects the provisions of this subsection, any present employee who would be eligible to receive service credit under the provisions of this subsection and has purchased service credit under subsection (4) or (5) of this section shall have his payment for the service credit refunded with interest at the rate paid under KRS 61.575 or 78.640.

(e) Any payments made by a county or department under this subsection shall be deposited to the retirement allowance account of the proper retirement system and these funds shall not be considered accumulated contributions of the individual members.

(9) Interest paid by a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System under this section or other similar statutes under KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, or 78.510 to 78.852 prior to June 19, 1976, shall be credited to the individual member's account in the appropriate retirement system and considered as accumulated contributions of the member.

(10) Employees who served as assistants to officers and employees of the General Assembly who have at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems and who were unable to acquire service under KRS 61.510(20) may purchase credit for the service performed after January 1, 1960.

(11) (a) Effective August 1, 1988, any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit for interim, seasonal, emergency, temporary, probationary, or part-time employment averaging one hundred (100) or more hours of work per month on a calendar or fiscal year basis. If the average number of hours of work is less than one hundred (100) per month, the member shall be allowed credit only for those months he receives creditable compensation for one hundred (100) or more hours of work.

(b) Any noncertified employee of a school board who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit in the County Employees Retirement System for part-time employment prior to the 1990-91 school year which averaged eighty (80) or more hours of work per month on a calendar or fiscal year basis. If the average number of hours of work is less than eighty (80) per month, the noncertified employee of a school board shall be allowed to purchase service credit only for those months he received creditable compensation for eighty (80) or more hours of work.

(12) Any employee participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty- five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit for any period of approved educational leave, or for agency-approved leave to work for a work-related labor organization if the agency subsequently participated in the County Employees Retirement System. The employee may also purchase service credit for agency-approved leave to work for a work-related labor organization if the agency subsequently participated in the County Employees Retirement System, but only if the Kentucky Retirement Systems receives a favorable private letter ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a favorable opinion letter from the United States Department of Labor.

(13) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit for any period of authorized maternity leave, unpaid leave authorized under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, or for any period of authorized sick leave without pay.

(14) (a) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit under any of the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, or 78.510 to 78.852, or as otherwise required by 38 U.S.C. ch. 43, by:

1. Making a lump-sum payment on a before-tax basis as provided in subparagraph 3. of this paragraph, or on an after-tax basis if the employee is purchasing service credit under subsection (1) or (20) of this section, service available pursuant to 38 U.S.C. ch. 43 not otherwise provided for in this section, or grandfathered service as defined in paragraph (b) of this subsection;

2. Entering into an agreement to purchase service credit through an installment purchase of service agreement with the systems as provided by paragraph (c) of this subsection:

a. On a before-tax basis in which the service is purchased pursuant to the employer pick-up provisions in 26 U.S.C. sec. 414(h)(2); or

b. On an after-tax basis if the employee is purchasing service credit under subsection (1) or (20) of this section, service available pursuant to 38 U.S.C. ch. 43 not otherwise provided for in this section, or grandfathered service as defined in paragraph (b) of this subsection; or

3. Transferring funds to the systems through a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer as permitted under the applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations or rulings issued thereunder, through a direct rollover as contemplated by and permitted under 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(a)(31) and any regulations or rulings issued thereunder, or through a rollover of funds pursuant to and permitted under the rules specified in 26 U.S.C. secs. 402(c) and 408(d)(3). The Kentucky Retirement Systems shall accept the transfer or rollover to the extent permitted under the rules specified in the applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and any regulations and rulings issued thereunder.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, "grandfathered service" means service purchases for which a member, whose membership date in the system is prior to July 1, 1999, is eligible to purchase under KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, or 78.510 to 78.852, that were available for all members of the system to purchase on August 5, 1997.

(c) 1. For service purchased under a before-tax or after-tax installment purchase of service agreement as provided by paragraph (a)2. of this subsection, the cost of the service shall be computed in the same manner as for a lump-sum payment which shall be the principal, except that interest compounded annually at the actuarial rate in effect at the time the member elects to make the purchase shall be added for the period that the installments are to be made.

2. Multiple service purchases may be combined under a single installment agreement, except that no employee may make more than one (1) installment purchase at the same time.

3. For after-tax installment purchase of service agreements, the employee may elect to stop the installment payments by notifying the retirement system; may have the installment purchase recalculated to add one (1) or more additional service purchases; or may pay by lump sum the remaining principal or a portion of the remaining principal.

4. Before-tax installment purchase of service agreements shall be irrevocable, and the employee shall not be able to stop installment payments or to pay off the remaining balance of the purchase of service agreement, except upon termination of employment or death.

5. One (1) year of installment payments shall be made for each one thousand dollars ($1,000) or any part thereof of the total cost, except that the total period allowed for installments shall not be less than one (1) year and shall not exceed five (5) years.

6. The employee shall pay the installments by payroll deduction for after- tax purchase of service agreements, and the employer shall pick up installments for before-tax purchase of service agreements. Upon notification by the retirement system, the employer shall report the installment payments either monthly or semimonthly continuously over each twelve (12) month period at the same time as, but separate from, regular employee contributions on the forms or by the computer format specified by the board.

7. The retirement system shall determine how much of the total cost represents payment for one (1) month of the service to be purchased and shall credit one (1) month of service to the member's account each time this amount has been paid. The first service credited shall represent the first calendar month of the service to be purchased and each succeeding month of service credit shall represent the succeeding months of that service.

8. If the employee utilizing an installment purchase of service agreement dies, retires, does not continue employment in a position required to participate in the retirement system, or elects to stop an after-tax installment purchase of service agreement, the member, or in the case of death, the beneficiary, shall have sixty (60) days to pay the remaining principal or a portion of the remaining principal of the installment purchase of service agreement by lump sum, subject to the restrictions of paragraph (a)1. of this subsection, or by transfer of funds under paragraph (a)3. of this subsection, except that payment by the member shall be filed with the system prior to the member's effective retirement date. If the member or beneficiary does not pay the remaining cost, the retirement system shall refund to the member or the beneficiary the payment, payments, or portion of a payment that does not represent a full month of service purchased, except as provided by subsection (22) of this section.

9. If the employer does not report installment payments on an employee for sixty (60) days for an after-tax installment purchase of service agreement, except in the case of employees on military leave or sick leave without pay, the installment purchase shall cease and the retirement system shall refund to the employee the payment, payments, or portion of a payment that does not represent a full month of service purchased.

10. Installment payments of employees on military leave or sick leave without pay shall be suspended during the period of leave and shall resume without recalculation upon the employee's return from leave.

11. If payments have ceased under subparagraph 8. or 9. of this paragraph and the member later becomes a participating employee in one (1) of the three (3) systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, the employee may complete the adjusted original installment purchase by lump sum or installment payments, subject to the restrictions of this subsection. If the employee elects to renew the installment purchase, the cost of the remaining service shall be recalculated in accordance with paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(d) Except as provided by paragraph (a)2.a. of this subsection, the cost of purchasing service shall not be picked up, as described in KRS 16.545(4), 61.560(4), or 78.610(4), by the employer.

(e) The cost of purchasing service credit under any provision of this section, except as provided by subsections (1) and (20) of this section, shall be determined by the delayed contribution method as provided by KRS 61.5525.

(f) Member payments, including interest, properly received pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited to the member's account and considered as accumulated contributions of the individual member.

(15) After August 1, 1998, any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who is age sixty-five (65) or older and has forty-eight (48) months of service credit or, if younger, who has sixty (60) months of service credit in systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit in the system in which the employee has the service credit for up to ten (10) years service in a regular full-time position that was credited to a state or local government-administered public defined benefit plan in another state other than a defined benefit plan for teachers. The employee shall provide proof that he is not eligible for a retirement benefit for the period of service from the other state's plan.

(16) After August 1, 1998, any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has sixty (60) or more months of service in the State Police Retirement System or in a hazardous position in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System, may purchase service credit in the system in which the employee has the sixty (60) months of service credit for up to ten (10) years of service in a regular full-time position that was credited to a defined benefit retirement plan administered by a state or local government in another state, if the service could be certified as hazardous pursuant to KRS 61.592. The employee shall provide proof that he is not eligible for a retirement benefit for the period of service from the other unit of government's plan.

(17) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems and who has completed service as a volunteer in the Kentucky Peace Corps, created by KRS 154.1-720, may purchase service credit for the time served in the corps.

(18) An employee participating in any retirement system administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty- five (65), or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, and who was formerly employed in a regional community services program for mental health and individuals with an intellectual disability, organized and operated under the provisions of KRS 210.370 to 210.480, which does not participate in a state- administered retirement system may purchase service credit for the period of his service in the regional community program for mental health and individuals with an intellectual disability.

(19) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, who was employed by a vocational technical school in a noncertified part-time position averaging eighty (80) or more hours per month, determined by using the number of months actually worked within a calendar or fiscal year, may purchase service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System.

(20) (a) Any person who is entitled to service credit for employment which was not reported in accordance with KRS 16.543, 61.543, or 78.615 may obtain credit for the service by paying the employee contributions due within six (6) months of notification by the system. No interest shall be added to the contributions. The service credit shall not be credited to the member's account until the employer contributions are received. If a retired member makes the payment within six (6) months, the retired member's retirement allowance shall be adjusted to reflect the added service after the employer contributions and any interest or penalties on the delinquent employer contributions are received by the retirement system.

(b) Any employee participating in one (1) of the state-administered retirement systems who is entitled to service credit under paragraph (a) of this subsection and who has not repaid the employee contributions due within six (6) months of notification by the system may regain the credit after the six (6) months by paying to the system the employee contributions plus interest at the actuarially assumed rate from the date of initial notification under paragraph (a) of this subsection. Service credit shall not be credited to the member's account until the employer contributions and any interest or penalties on the delinquent employer contributions are received by the retirement system.

(c) Service purchased under this subsection by employees who begin participating on or after September 1, 2008, shall be considered service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) for purposes of determining eligibility for retirement benefits under KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852.

(d) Employees who begin participating on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 shall, upon payment of the employee and employer contributions due under this subsection, have their accumulated account balance increased by the employee contributions, employer pay credits, and interest credits that would have been credited to their member's account if the contributions had been paid on time.

(e) An employee participating in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act shall, upon payment of the employee and employer contributions due under this subsection, have his or her accumulated account balance increased by the employee contributions and employer contributions that would have been credited to his or her member account if the contributions had been paid on time.

(f) (e) Employer contributions payable under this subsection shall be considered delinquent and the employer shall be required to pay interest and any other penalties on the delinquent contributions in accordance with KRS 61.675(3)(b) and 78.625(2)(a) from the date the employee should have been reported and received service credit in accordance with KRS 16.543, 61.543, and 78.615.

(21) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems may purchase service credit for employment with a public agency that would have been eligible to participate under KRS 61.520 but which did not participate in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or a political subdivision that would have been eligible to participate under KRS 78.530 but which did not participate in the County Employees Retirement System if the former public agency or political subdivision has merged with or been taken over by a participating department or county.

(22) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems prior to July 15, 2002, who has accrued at least forty- eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and who has total service in all state-administered retirement systems of at least one hundred eighty (180) months of service credit may purchase a combined maximum total of five (5) years of retirement service credit which is not otherwise purchasable under any of the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852. The purchase shall be made in any of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems in which the employee is a member. The service purchased under this subsection shall not be used in determining a retirement allowance until the member has accrued at least two hundred forty (240) months of service, excluding service purchased under this subsection. If the member does not accrue at least two hundred forty (240) months of service, excluding service purchased under this subsection, upon retirement, death, or written request following termination, the payment, plus interest as provided in KRS 61.575, shall be refunded.

(23) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65), or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65), in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, may obtain credit in the County Employees Retirement System for the period of that employee's service with a community action agency created under KRS 273.405 to 273.453 if that service was not covered by a state-administered retirement system.

(24) An employee may obtain credit for regular full-time service with an agency prior to August 1, 1998, for which the employee did not receive credit due to KRS 61.637(1). Service credit obtained under this subsection shall not be used in determining benefits under KRS 61.702. The employee may purchase credit for service prior to August 1, 1998, if:

(a) The employee retired from one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and was reemployed prior to August 1, 1998, earning less than the maximum permissible earnings under the Federal Social Security Act;

(b) The employee elected to participate in a second retirement account effective August 1, 1998, in accordance with KRS 61.637(7); and

(c) The employee has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65), or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65), in a second account in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(25) An employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty-eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, may obtain credit for the service in a regular full-time position otherwise creditable under the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System for service in the United States government, other than service in the Armed Forces, for which service is not otherwise given.

(26) An employee participating in a hazardous position in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, who has at least forty- eight (48) months of service if age sixty-five (65) or at least sixty (60) months of service if under age sixty-five (65) in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, may obtain credit for service in a regular full-time position in an urban-county government that would qualify for hazardous duty coverage under KRS 61.592.

(27) Subsections (2) to (5), (7) to (13), (15) to (19), and (21) to (26) of this section shall not apply to members who begin participating in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after January 1, 2014, or to members who make an election as provided by Section 7, 12, or 38 of this Act.

(28) Service purchases made pursuant to subsections (2) to (5), (7), (10) to (13), (15) to (19), (21) to (23), (25), and (26) of this section shall be purchased by the entire amount of service available pursuant to that subsection or by increments. Service purchases made pursuant to subsections (1), (20), and (24) of this section shall be purchased by the entire amount of service available.

(1) (a) After August 1, 1998, any employee entering the Armed Forces of the United States after he first participates in the system, who joins the Armed Forces within three (3) months of the last day of paid employment, being on leave of absence from service and not withdrawing his accumulated account balance, shall be credited for retirement purposes with service credit and creditable compensation as provided in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4318 for his period of active military duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, not to exceed six (6) years, if:

1. The member's military service was terminated in a manner other than as described in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4304; and

2. The member returns to work with an employer participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems within two (2) years after completion of the period of active military duty, or upon the subsequent termination of any total disability which existed at the expiration of the two (2) years after discharge.

(b) A member eligible for the benefit prescribed by this subsection who participates in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 shall also have his or her member account credited with employee contributions, employer pay credits, and interest credits, as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597, as though the member were employed during the member's period of active military duty described by this subsection.

(c) A member eligible for the benefit prescribed by this subsection who participates in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act shall also have his or her member account credited with employee and employer contributions, as provided by Section 12 of this Act, as though the member were employed during the member's period of active military duty described by this subsection.

(d) The employer shall remit to the retirement systems the employer contributions that would have been due under KRS 61.565 and 61.702 for periods of service credited under this subsection.

(2) (a) After August 1, 1998, any employee who, prior to the date he first participated in the system, terminated his employment with an agency participating in one (1) of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and within three (3) months entered the Armed Forces of the United States and who returns to work with an employer participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems within two (2) years after completion of the period of active military duty, or upon the subsequent termination of any total disability which existed at the expiration of the two (2) years after discharge, shall be credited for retirement purposes with service credit and creditable compensation as provided in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4318 for his period of active military duty in the Armed Forces, not to exceed six (6) years if his military service was terminated in a manner other than as described in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4304.

(b) A member eligible for the benefit prescribed by this subsection who participates in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 shall also have his or her member account credited with employee contributions, employer pay credits, and interest credits, as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597, as though the member were employed during the member's period of active military duty described by this subsection.

(c) A member eligible for the benefit prescribed by this subsection who participates in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act shall also have his or her member account credited with employee and employer contributions, as provided by Section 12 of this Act, as though the member were employed during the member's period of active military duty described by this subsection.

(d) The employer shall remit to the retirement systems the employer contributions that would have been due under KRS 61.565 and 61.702 for periods of service credited under this subsection.

(3) Any National Guard technician involuntarily serving on active military duty during the period between January 26, 1968, and January 1, 1970, who completes his eight (8) years' service while on military duty during this period, shall have that portion of his active military duty, necessary to the completion of eight (8) years' current service, credited to his account, as current service without having to meet the reemployment criteria.

(4) Any employee eligible for retirement as prescribed in KRS 61.559 or any employee upon completion of five (5) years of service shall receive current service credit for a maximum of four (4) years for his period of active military duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, if his military service was terminated in a manner other than as described in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4304 and he has not been credited with the service under subsections (1) to (3) of this section if he pays thirty-five percent (35%) of the cost of the service based on the formula adopted by the board. The payment by the member shall not be picked up by the employer, as described in KRS 61.560(4), and shall be deposited to his individual member's account. The remaining sixty-five percent (65%) shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated specifically for the purpose and these payments shall be deposited to the respective retirement allowance accounts. If no funds are available in the special appropriation account, the system shall not accept employee payments until funds are available in the account.

(5) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems eligible to purchase military service credit under subsection (4) of this section shall receive current service credit for active military duty as provided under subsection (4) of this section without payment of the current employee contribution ratio if the member was taken prisoner by a hostile power at any time during active military service.

(6) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems age sixty-five (65) or older who has forty-eight (48) months of service, at least twelve (12) of which are current service, or if younger who has sixty (60) months of service, at least twelve (12) of which are current service shall receive current service for his period of active military duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, if his military service was terminated in a manner other than as described in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4304 and he has not been credited with the service under subsections (1) to (4) of this section, by paying the retirement system a delayed contribution payment in accordance with the payment options and restrictions established by KRS 61.552(14). Service purchases made pursuant to this subsection shall be purchased by the entire amount of service available pursuant to this subsection or by increments.

(7) Any employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems age sixty-five (65) or older who has forty-eight (48) months of service, at least twelve (12) of which are current service, or if younger who has sixty (60) months of service, at least twelve (12) of which are current service, shall receive one (1) month of current service for each six (6) months of service in the National Guard or the military reserves of the United States, by paying the retirement system a delayed contribution payment in accordance with the payment options and restrictions established by KRS 61.552(14). The service shall be treated as service earned prior to participation in the system and shall not be included in the member's final compensation. Service purchases made pursuant to this subsection shall be purchased by the entire amount of service available pursuant to this subsection or by increments.

(8) For members who begin participating in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan prescribed by KRS 16.583 and 61.597, and for members who make an election to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 7, 12, or 38 of this Act,the provisions of subsections (4) to (7) of this section shall not apply.

Except as limited by Section 12 or 38 of this Act:

(1) Effective July 1, 1990, upon retirement at normal retirement date or subsequent thereto, a member may receive an annual retirement allowance, payable monthly during his lifetime, which shall consist of an amount equal to two and two-tenths percent (2.2%) for the County Employees Retirement System and one and ninety- seven hundredths percent (1.97%) for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System of final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service credit, except that:

(a) Effective February 1, 1999, a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System who was participating in one (1) of the state-administered retirement systems as of January 1, 1998, and continues to participate through January 1, 1999, shall receive an annual retirement allowance, payable monthly during his lifetime, which shall consist of an amount equal to two percent (2%) of final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service credit. Any Kentucky Employees Retirement System member whose effective date of retirement is between February 1, 1999, and January 31, 2009, and who has at least twenty (20) years of service credit in one (1) of the state-administered retirement systems and who was participating in one (1) of the state- administered retirement systems as of January 1, 1998, and continues to participate through January 1, 1999, shall receive an annual retirement allowance, payable monthly during his lifetime, which shall consist of an amount equal to two and two-tenths percent (2.2%) of final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service credit. Notwithstanding the provisions of KRS 61.565, the funding for this paragraph shall be provided from existing funds of the retirement allowance account;

(b) For a member of the County Employees Retirement System whose participation begins on or after August 1, 2004, the annual retirement allowance upon retirement at normal retirement date or later shall be equal to two percent (2%) of final compensation multiplied by the number of years of service credit and shall be payable monthly during his lifetime;

(c) The annual normal retirement allowance for members of the General Assembly, who serve during the 1974 or 1976 General Assembly, and will have eight (8) years or more of total legislative service as of January 6, 1978, shall not be less than two hundred forty dollars ($240) multiplied by the number of years of service as a member of the General Assembly;

(d) For a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, the annual retirement allowance upon retirement shall be equal to:

1. a. One and one-tenth percent (1.1%) of final compensation for each year of service if the member has earned ten (10) or less years of service at retirement;

b. One and three-tenths percent (1.3%) of final compensation for each year of service if the member has earned greater than ten (10) but no more than twenty (20) years of service at retirement;

c. One and one-half percent (1.5%) of final compensation for each year of service if the member has earned greater than twenty (20) but no more than twenty-six (26) years of service at retirement; or

d. One and three-quarters percent (1.75%) of final compensation for each year of service if the member has earned greater than twenty- six (26) but no more than thirty (30) years of service at retirement; and

2. Two percent (2.0%) of final compensation for each year of service earned in excess of thirty (30) years of service at retirement;

(e) The annual normal retirement allowance for members of the General Assembly who will have fewer than eight (8) years of service as of December 31, 1975, shall be as prescribed in Chapter 116, section 36(1), Acts of the 1972 General Assembly for legislative service prior to January 1, 1974;

(f) Former members of the General Assembly who have eight (8) or more years of legislative service prior to the 1976 Regular Session are eligible for an increased retirement allowance of two hundred forty dollars ($240) times the years of legislative service, if the member pays to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System thirty-five percent (35%) of the actuarial cost of the higher benefit, as determined by the system, except that a former member with sixteen (16) or more years of legislative service, or his beneficiary, who is receiving a retirement allowance, also is eligible under this section and may apply for a recomputation of his retirement allowance. The employer's share of sixty-five percent (65%) of the computed actuarial cost shall be paid from the State Treasury to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System upon presentation of a properly documented claim to the Finance and Administration Cabinet. If any member with sixteen (16) or more years of legislative service previously applied for and is receiving a retirement allowance, he may reapply and his retirement allowance shall be recomputed in accordance with this paragraph, and he shall thereafter be paid in accordance with the option selected by him at the time of the reapplication; and

(g) The annual normal retirement allowance for a member with ten (10) or more years of service, in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, at least one (1) of which is current service, shall not be less than five hundred twelve dollars ($512).

(2) (a) Upon service retirement prior to normal retirement date, a member may receive an annual retirement allowance payable monthly during his lifetime which shall be determined in the same manner as for retirement at his normal retirement date with years of service and final compensation being determined as of the date of his actual retirement, but the amount of the retirement allowance so determined shall be reduced at an amount determined by the board's actuary to reflect the earlier commencement of benefits.

(b) A member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who has twenty-seven (27) or more years of service credit, at least fifteen (15) of which are current service, may retire with no reduction in the retirement allowance. A member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who has earned vested service credit in a retirement system, other than the Teachers' Retirement System, sponsored by a Kentucky institution of higher education, the Council on Postsecondary Education, or the Higher Education Assistance Authority, may count the vested service toward attaining the necessary years of service credit as provided in KRS 61.559(2)(c) and (d) to qualify for a retirement allowance. The credit from a Kentucky institution of higher education, the Council on Postsecondary Education, or the Higher Education Assistance Authority shall not be used toward the minimum fifteen (15) years of current service required by KRS 61.559(2)(c) and (d) or to calculate his retirement allowance pursuant to this section. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the use of Teachers' Retirement System credit pursuant to KRS 61.680(2)(a).

(c) A member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, may retire with no reduction in benefits if the member is fifty-seven (57) years of age or older and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for an unreduced retirement allowance under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall not apply to members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014. Members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, shall receive the retirement benefits prescribed by KRS 61.597 or Section 12 of this Act, as applicable.

(1) A retired member who is receiving monthly retirement payments under any of the provisions of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 and 78.510 to 78.852 and who is reemployed as an employee by a participating agency prior to August 1, 1998, shall have his retirement payments suspended for the duration of reemployment. Monthly payments shall not be suspended for a retired member who is reemployed if he anticipates that he will receive less than the maximum permissible earnings as provided by the Federal Social Security Act in compensation as a result of reemployment during the calendar year. The payments shall be suspended at the beginning of the month in which the reemployment occurs.

(2) Employer and employee contributions shall be made as provided in KRS 61.510 to 61.705 and 78.510 to 78.852 on the compensation paid during reemployment, except where monthly payments were not suspended as provided in subsection (1) of this section or would not increase the retired member's last monthly retirement allowance by at least one dollar ($1), and the member shall be credited with additional service credit.

(3) In the month following the termination of reemployment, retirement allowance payments shall be reinstated under the plan under which the member was receiving payments prior to reemployment.

(4) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the payments suspended in accordance with subsection (1) of this section shall be paid retroactively to the retired member, or his estate, if he does not receive more than the maximum permissible earnings as provided by the Federal Social Security Act in compensation from participating agencies during any calendar year of reemployment.

(b) If the retired member is paid suspended payments retroactively in accordance with this section, employee contributions deducted during his period of reemployment, if any, shall be refunded to the retired employee, and no service credit shall be earned for the period of reemployment.

(c) If the retired member is not eligible to be paid suspended payments for his period of reemployment as an employee, his retirement allowance shall be recomputed under the plan under which the member was receiving payments prior to reemployment as follows:

1. The retired member's final compensation shall be recomputed using creditable compensation for his period of reemployment; however, the final compensation resulting from the recalculation shall not be less than that of the member when his retirement allowance was last determined;

2. If the retired member initially retired on or subsequent to his normal retirement date, his retirement allowance shall be recomputed by using the formula in KRS 61.595(1);

3. If the retired member initially retired prior to his normal retirement date, his retirement allowance shall be recomputed using the formula in KRS 61.595(2), except that the member's age used in computing benefits shall be his age at the time of his initial retirement increased by the number of months of service credit earned for service performed during reemployment;

4. The retirement allowance payments resulting from the recomputation under this subsection shall be payable in the month following the termination of reemployment in lieu of payments under subparagraph 3. The member shall not receive less in benefits as a result of the recomputation than he was receiving prior to reemployment or would receive as determined under KRS 61.691; and

5. Any retired member who was reemployed prior to March 26, 1974, shall begin making contributions to the system in accordance with the provisions of this section on the first day of the month following March 26, 1974.

(5) A retired member, or his estate, shall pay to the retirement fund the total amount of payments which are not suspended in accordance with subsection (1) of this section if the member received more than the maximum permissible earnings as provided by the Federal Social Security Act in compensation from participating agencies during any calendar year of reemployment, except the retired member or his estate may repay the lesser of the total amount of payments which were not suspended or fifty cents ($0.50) of each dollar earned over the maximum permissible earnings during reemployment if under age sixty-five (65), or one dollar ($1) for every three dollars ($3) earned if over age sixty-five (65).

(6) (a) "Reemployment" or "reinstatement" as used in this section shall not include a retired member who has been ordered reinstated by the Personnel Board under authority of KRS 18A.095.

(b) A retired member who has been ordered reinstated by the Personnel Board under authority of KRS 18A.095 or by court order or by order of the Human Rights Commission and accepts employment by an agency participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System shall void his retirement by reimbursing the system in the full amount of his retirement allowance payments received.

(7) (a) Effective August 1, 1998, the provisions of subsections (1) to (4) of this section shall no longer apply to a retired member who is reemployed in a position covered by the same retirement system from which the member retired. Reemployed retired members shall be treated as new members upon reemployment. Any retired member whose reemployment date preceded August 1, 1998, who does not elect, within sixty (60) days of notification by the retirement systems, to remain under the provisions of subsections (1) to (4) of this section shall be deemed to have elected to participate under this subsection.

(b) A retired member whose disability retirement was discontinued pursuant to KRS 61.615 and who is reemployed in one (1) of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems prior to his or her normal retirement date shall have his or her accounts combined upon termination for determining eligibility for benefits. If the member is eligible for retirement, the member's service and creditable compensation earned as a result of his or her reemployment shall be used in the calculation of benefits, except that the member's final compensation shall not be less than the final compensation last used in determining his or her retirement allowance. The member shall not change beneficiary or payment option designations. This provision shall apply to members reemployed on or after August 1, 1998.

(8) A retired member or his employer shall notify the retirement system if he has accepted employment or is serving as a volunteer with an employer that participates in the retirement system from which the member retired. The retired member and the participating employer shall submit the information required or requested by the systems to confirm the individual's employment or volunteer status.

(9) If the retired member is under a contract, the member shall submit a copy of that contract to the retirement system, and the retirement system shall determine if the member is an independent contractor for purposes of retirement benefits. The retired member and the participating employer shall submit the information required or requested by the systems to confirm the individual's employment or volunteer status.

(10) If a member is receiving a retirement allowance, or has filed the forms required for a retirement allowance, and is employed within one (1) month of the member's initial retirement date in a position that is required to participate in the same retirement system from which the member retired, the member's retirement shall be voided and the member shall repay to the retirement system all benefits received. The member shall contribute to the member account established for him prior to his voided retirement. The retirement allowance for which the member shall be eligible upon retirement shall be determined by total service and creditable compensation.

(11) (a) If a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System retires from a department which participates in more than one (1) retirement system and is reemployed within one (1) month of his initial retirement date by the same department in a position participating in another retirement system, the retired member's retirement allowance shall be suspended for the first month of his retirement and the member shall repay to the retirement system all benefits received for the month.

(b) A retired member of the County Employees Retirement System who after initial retirement is hired by the county from which the member retired shall be considered to have been hired by the same employer.

(12) (a) If a hazardous member who retired prior to age fifty-five (55), or a nonhazardous member who retired prior to age sixty-five (65), is reemployed within six (6) months of the member's termination by the same employer, the member shall obtain from his previous and current employers a copy of the job description established by the employers for the position and a statement of the duties performed by the member for the position from which he retired and for the position in which he has been reemployed.

(b) The job descriptions and statements of duties shall be filed with the retirement office.

(13) If the retirement system determines that the retired member has been employed in a position with the same principal duties as the position from which the member retired:

(a) The member's retirement allowance shall be suspended during the period that begins on the month in which the member is reemployed and ends six (6) months after the member's termination;

(b) The retired member shall repay to the retirement system all benefits paid from systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems under reciprocity, including medical insurance benefits, that the member received after reemployment began;

(c) Upon termination, or subsequent to expiration of the six (6) month period from the date of termination, the retired member's retirement allowance based on his initial retirement account shall no longer be suspended and the member shall receive the amount to which he is entitled, including an increase as provided by KRS 61.691;

(d) Except as provided in subsection (7) of this section, if the position in which a retired member is employed after initial retirement is a regular full-time position, the retired member shall contribute to a second member account established for him in the retirement system. Service credit gained after the member's date of reemployment shall be credited to the second member account; and

(e) Upon termination, the retired member shall be entitled to benefits payable from his second retirement account.

(14) (a) If the retirement system determines that the retired member has not been reemployed in a position with the same principal duties as the position from which he retired, the retired member shall continue to receive his retirement allowance.

(b) If the position is a regular full-time position, the member shall contribute to a second member account in the retirement system.

(15) (a) If a retired member is reemployed at least one (1) month after initial retirement in a different position, or at least six (6) months after initial retirement in the same position, and prior to normal retirement age, the retired member shall contribute to a second member account in the retirement system and continue to receive a retirement allowance from the first member account.

(b) Service credit gained after reemployment shall be credited to the second member account. Upon termination, the retired member shall be entitled to benefits payable from the second member account.

(16) A retired member who is reemployed and contributing to a second member account shall not be eligible to purchase service credit under any of the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, or 78.510 to 78.852 which he was eligible to purchase prior to his initial retirement.

(17) Notwithstanding any provision of subsections (1) to (7)(a) and (10) to (15) of this section, the following shall apply to retired members who retired prior to January 1, 2019, and who are reemployed by an agency participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after September 1, 2008:

(a) Except as provided by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, if a member is receiving a retirement allowance from one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, or has filed the forms required to receive a retirement allowance from one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, and is employed in a regular full-time position required to participate in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems or is employed in a position that is not considered regular full-time with an agency participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems within three (3) months following the member's initial retirement date, the member's retirement shall be voided, and the member shall repay to the retirement system all benefits received, including any health insurance benefits. If the member is returning to work in a regular full-time position required to participate in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems:

1. The member shall contribute to a member account established for him or her in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, and employer contributions shall be paid on behalf of the member by the participating employer; and

2. Upon subsequent retirement, the member shall be eligible for a retirement allowance based upon total service and creditable compensation, including any additional service or creditable compensation earned after his or her initial retirement was voided;

(b) Except as provided by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, if a member is receiving a retirement allowance from one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems and is employed in a regular full-time position required to participate in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems after a three (3) month period following the member's initial retirement date, the member may continue to receive his or her retirement allowance during the period of reemployment subject to the following provisions:

1. Both the employee and participating agency shall certify in writing on a form prescribed by the board that no prearranged agreement existed between the employee and agency prior to the employee's retirement for the employee to return to work with the participating agency. If an elected official is reelected to a new term of office in the same position and retires following the election but prior to taking the new term of office, he or she shall be deemed by the system as having a prearranged agreement under the provisions of this subparagraph and shall have his or her retirement voided. If the participating agency or employer fail to complete the certification, the member's retirement shall be voided and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall apply to the member and the employer;

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS Chapter 16, 61, or 78 to the contrary, the member shall not contribute to the systems and shall not earn any additional benefits for any work performed during the period of reemployment;

3. Except as provided by KRS 70.291 to 70.293 and 95.022, the employer shall pay employer contributions as specified by KRS 61.565 and 61.702 on all creditable compensation earned by the employee during the period of reemployment. The additional contributions paid shall be used to reduce the unfunded actuarial liability of the systems; and

4. Except as provided by KRS 70.291 to 70.293 and 95.022, the employer shall be required to reimburse the systems for the cost of the health insurance premium paid by the systems to provide coverage for the retiree, not to exceed the cost of the single premium. Effective July 1, 2015, local school boards shall not be required to pay the reimbursement required by this subparagraph for retirees employed by the board for eighty (80) days or less during the fiscal year;

(c) If a member is receiving a retirement allowance from the State Police Retirement System or from hazardous duty retirement coverage with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System, or has filed the forms required to receive a retirement allowance from the State Police Retirement System or from hazardous duty retirement coverage with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System, and is employed in a regular full-time position required to participate in the State Police Retirement System or in a hazardous duty position with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System within one (1) month following the member's initial retirement date, the member's retirement shall be voided, and the member shall repay to the retirement system all benefits received, including any health insurance benefits. If the member is returning to work in a regular full-time position required to participate in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems:

1. The member shall contribute to a member account established for him or her in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, and employer contributions shall be paid on behalf of the member by the participating employer; and

2. Upon subsequent retirement, the member shall be eligible for a retirement allowance based upon total service and creditable compensation, including any additional service or creditable compensation earned after his or her initial retirement was voided;

(d) If a member is receiving a retirement allowance from the State Police Retirement System or from hazardous duty retirement coverage with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System and is employed in a regular full-time position required to participate in the State Police Retirement System or in a hazardous duty position with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System after a one (1) month period following the member's initial retirement date, the member may continue to receive his or her retirement allowance during the period of reemployment subject to the following provisions:

1. Both the employee and participating agency shall certify in writing on a form prescribed by the board that no prearranged agreement existed between the employee and agency prior to the employee's retirement for the employee to return to work with the participating agency. If an elected official is reelected to a new term of office in the same position and retires following the election but prior to taking the new term of office, he or she shall be deemed by the system as having a prearranged agreement under the provisions of this subparagraph and shall have his or her retirement voided. If the participating agency or employer fail to complete the certification, the member's retirement shall be voided and the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection shall apply to the member and the employer;

2. Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS Chapter 16, 61, or 78 to the contrary, the member shall not contribute to the systems and shall not earn any additional benefits for any work performed during the period of reemployment;

3. Except as provided by KRS 70.291 to 70.293 and 95.022, the employer shall pay employer contributions as specified by KRS 61.565 and 61.702 on all creditable compensation earned by the employee during the period of reemployment. The additional contributions paid shall be used to reduce the unfunded actuarial liability of the systems; and

4. Except as provided by KRS 70.291 to 70.293 and 95.022, the employer shall be required to reimburse the systems for the cost of the health insurance premium paid by the systems to provide coverage for the retiree, not to exceed the cost of the single premium;

(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection, a retired member who qualifies as a volunteer for an employer participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems and who is receiving reimbursement of actual expenses, a nominal fee for his or her volunteer services, or both, shall not be considered an employee of the participating employer and shall not be subject to paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection if:

1. Prior to the retired member's most recent retirement date, he or she did not receive creditable compensation from the participating employer in which the retired member is performing volunteer services;

2. Any reimbursement or nominal fee received prior to the retired member's most recent retirement date has not been credited as creditable compensation to the member's account or utilized in the calculation of the retired member's benefits;

3. The retired member has not purchased or received service credit under any of the provisions of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 or 78.510 to 78.852 for service with the participating employer for which the retired member is performing volunteer services; and

4. Other than the status of volunteer, the retired member does not become an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the employer for which he or she is performing volunteer services for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months following the retired member's most recent retirement date.

If a retired member, who provided volunteer services with a participating employer under this paragraph violates any provision of this paragraph, then he or she shall be deemed an employee of the participating employer as of the date he or she began providing volunteer services and both the retired member and the participating employer shall be subject to paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection for the period of volunteer service; and

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any mayor or member of a city legislative body who has not participated in the County Employees Retirement System prior to retirement, but who is otherwise eligible to retire from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System, shall not be:

1. Required to resign from his or her position as mayor or as a member of the city legislative body in order to begin drawing benefits from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System; or

2. Subject to any provision of this section as it relates solely to his or her service as a mayor or member of the city legislative body.

(18) Notwithstanding any provision of subsections (1) to (7)(a) and (10) to (17) of this section, the following shall apply to retired members, retirees, or annuitants of the systems or plans administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, the Judicial Form Retirement System, and the Teachers' Retirement System, who retire and begin drawing a retirement allowance on or after January 1, 2019, and are reemployed on or after January 1, 2019, by an agency participating in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems:

(a) Except as provided by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, if a retired member is receiving a retirement allowance from the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and is reemployed in any position with an agency participating in any of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, regardless of whether or not the position is considered regular full-time under KRS 61.510(21), 78.510(21), or paragraph (g) of this subsection, within a three (3) month period following the member's initial retirement date from the systems, the member's retirement shall be voided and the member shall repay to the system all benefits received, including any health insurance benefits. If the member's retirement is voided as provided by this paragraph and the member has returned to work in a position that is considered a regular full-time position in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems as defined in KRS 61.510(21) or 78.510(21), as applicable:

1. The member shall contribute to a member account established for him or her in one (1) of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and employer contributions shall be paid on behalf of the member by the participating employer; and

2. Upon subsequent retirement, the member shall be eligible for a retirement allowance based upon total service, accumulated account balance, and creditable compensation, including any additional service, creditable compensation, or accumulated account balance earned after his or her initial retirement was voided, subject to the limitations of Section 4, 7, 12, or 38 of this Act;

(b) Except as provided by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection, if a retired member, annuitant, or retiree is receiving a retirement allowance from the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and is reemployed or elected to a position with an agency participating in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems after a three (3) month period following the member's initial retirement date from the system:

1. Both the employee and participating agency shall certify in writing on a form prescribed by the board that no prearranged agreement existed between the employee and agency prior to the employee's retirement for the employee to return to work with the participating agency. If an elected official is reelected to a new term of office in the same position and retires following the election but prior to taking the new term of office, he or she shall be deemed by the system as having a prearranged agreement under the provisions of this subparagraph and shall have his or her retirement voided. If the participating agency or employer fails to complete the certification, the member's retirement shall be voided and the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall apply to the member and the employer;

2. The member shall not contribute to the systems and shall not earn any additional benefits for any work performed during the period of reemployment;

3. The retired member may continue to draw his or her retirement allowance during the period of reemployment if:

a. The period of reemployment is not considered regular full-time as defined by paragraph (g) of this subsection; or

b. The period of reemployment is considered regular full-time but the member has not returned to reemployment for at least a twelve (12) month period following his or her initial retirement. If the member returns to reemployment in a regular full-time position after a three (3) month but prior to a twelve (12) month period following his or her initial retirement, then the member's retirement allowance shall be suspended until twelve (12) months following his or her initial retirement; and

4. The employer shall pay the employer normal cost contributions as specified by subsection (1)(b) of Section 18 of this Act and Section 30 of this Act, on all creditable compensation earned by the employee during the period of regular full-time reemployment, based upon the system in which the member is reemployed. The employer normal cost contributions shall be payable on the employee's behalf for the period of regular full-time reemployment and shall be used to pay down the unfunded liability of the systems;

(c) If a member is receiving a retirement allowance from the State Police Retirement System or from hazardous duty retirement coverage with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System or is a certified peace officer as provided in KRS Chapter 15, and is reemployed in any position with an agency participating in the systems or plans administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, regardless of whether or not the position is considered regular full-time under KRS 61.510(21), 78.510(21), or paragraph (g) of this subsection, within a one (1) month period following the member's initial retirement date from the system, the member's retirement shall be voided and the member shall repay to the system or plan all benefits received, including any health insurance benefits. If the member's retirement is voided as provided by this paragraph and the member has returned to work in a position that qualifies for participation in a position that is considered a regular full-time position in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems as defined in KRS 61.510(21) or 78.510(21), as applicable:

1. The member shall contribute to a member account established for him or her in one (1) of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems and employer contributions shall be paid on behalf of the member by the participating employer; and

2. Upon subsequent retirement, the member shall be eligible for a retirement allowance based upon total service, accumulated account balance, and creditable compensation, including any additional service, creditable compensation, or accumulated account balance earned after his or her initial retirement was voided, subject to the limitations of Section 4, 7, 12, or 38 of this Act;

(d) If a member is receiving a retirement allowance from the State Police Retirement System or from hazardous duty retirement coverage with the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System or is a certified peace officer as provided in KRS Chapter 15, and is reemployed with an agency participating in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems after a one (1) month period following the member's initial retirement date from the system, the member may continue to receive his or her retirement allowance during the period of reemployment subject to the following provisions:

1. Both the employee and participating agency shall certify in writing on a form prescribed by the board that no prearranged agreement existed between the employee and agency prior to the employee's retirement for the employee to return to work with the participating agency. If an elected official is reelected to a new term of office in the same position and retires following the election but prior to taking the new term of office, he or she shall be deemed by the system as having a prearranged agreement under the provisions of this subparagraph and shall have his or her retirement voided. If the participating agency or employer fails to complete the certification, the member's retirement shall be voided and the provisions of paragraph (c) of this subsection shall apply to the member and the employer;

2. The member shall not contribute to the systems and shall not earn any additional benefits for any work performed during the period of reemployment; and

3. The employer shall pay the employer normal cost contributions as specified by subsection (1)(b) of Section 18 of this Act and Section 30 of this Act on all creditable compensation earned by the employee during the period of regular full-time reemployment, based upon the system in which the member is reemployed. The employer normal cost contributions shall be payable on the employee's behalf for the period of regular full-time reemployment and shall be used to pay down the unfunded liability of the systems;

(e) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection, a retired member who qualifies as a volunteer for an employer participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems and who is receiving reimbursement of actual expenses, a nominal fee for his or her volunteer services, or both, shall not be considered an employee of the participating employer and shall not be subject to paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection if:

1. Prior to the retired member's most recent retirement date, he or she did not receive creditable compensation from the participating employer for which the retired member is performing volunteer services;

2. Any reimbursement or nominal fee received prior to the retired member's most recent retirement date has not been credited as creditable compensation to the member's account or utilized in the calculation of the retired member's benefits;

3. The retired member has not purchased or received service credit under any of the provisions of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 or 78.510 to 78.852 for service with the participating employer for which the retired member is performing volunteer services; and

4. Other than the status of volunteer, the retired member does not become an employee, leased employee, or independent contractor of the employer for which he or she is performing volunteer services for a period of at least twenty-four (24) months following the retired member's most recent retirement date.

If a retired member, who provided volunteer services with a participating employer under this paragraph violates any provision of this paragraph, then he or she shall be deemed an employee of the participating employer as of the date he or she began providing volunteer services, and both the retired member and the participating employer shall be subject to paragraphs (a) to (d) of this subsection for the period of volunteer service;

(f) Notwithstanding any provision of this section, any mayor or member of a city legislative body who has not participated in the County Employees Retirement System prior to retirement, but who is otherwise eligible to retire from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System, shall not be:

1. Required to resign from his or her position as mayor or as a member of the city legislative body in order to begin drawing benefits from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the State Police Retirement System; or

2. Subject to any provision of this section as it relates solely to his or her service as a mayor or member of the city legislative body; and

(g) For purposes of this subsection, "regular full-time" shall mean any position that requires an average of one hundred (100) or more hours per month over a calendar or fiscal year basis, except that in the case of classified school board employees it shall be more than one hundred (100) days of work during the fiscal year. Interim, temporary, or seasonal positions as defined and time limited by subsection (21) of Section 14 of this Act or subsection (21) of Section 15 of this Act shall not be considered regular full-time.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS Chapter 16, 61, or 78 to the contrary, an individual who retires and begins drawing a retirement allowance from one (1) or more of the systems or plans administered by the Teachers' Retirement System or the Judicial Form Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, who is reemployed with an agency participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, shall not be eligible to earn benefits in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System for reemployment that occurs on or after January 1, 2019.

Except as limited by Section 4, 7, 12, or 38 of this Act:

(1) Prior to August 1, 1982, every employee shall be deemed to consent and agree to any deduction from his compensation required by KRS 6.500 to 6.535, 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.692, 78.510 to 78.852, and to all other provisions thereof. Thereafter, employee contributions shall be picked up by the employer pursuant to KRS 61.560(4).

(2) (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of KRS 6.500 to 6.535, 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.692, 78.510 to 78.852 and 161.220 to 161.714:

1. Upon death, disability, or service retirement, a member's accounts under the Legislators' Retirement Plan, State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, and Teachers' Retirement System, except for service prohibited by KRS 161.623(2), shall be consolidated for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits, including those members who participate in the hybrid cash balance plan or 401(a) money purchase plans within the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, and the State Police Retirement System, or the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014;

2. Vested service credit in a retirement system, other than the Teachers' Retirement System, sponsored by a Kentucky institution of higher education and accepted by the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System, may be used to determine eligibility for twenty-seven (27) year retirement for an employee who begins participating before September 1, 2008, but not the amount of benefits;

3. The computation of benefits shall be based on the applicable formula in each system and service credit in each system, but the final compensation, excluding compensation earned under KRS 161.155(10), shall be determined as if all service were in one (1) system;

4. If the member has prior service in more than one (1) system administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems, he shall obtain at least twelve (12) months' current service in each system in which he has prior service in order to validate the prior service in each system for purposes of determining consolidated benefits under this subsection; and

5. Upon the determination of benefits, each system shall pay the applicable amount of benefits due the member.

(b) The provisions of paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be waived if the member:

1. Notifies the system of his desire to maintain separate retirement accounts in the State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, or County Employees Retirement System; or

2. Fails to simultaneously retire from all state-administered retirement systems in which the member has an account or fails to retire from any other systems not administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems within one (1) month of the member's effective retirement date in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(c) If the member has not contributed at least one (1) year in a system in which he has prior service, his current service in the system shall be valid for purposes of determining eligibility and in computation of benefits on a consolidated basis.

(3) (a) A member with service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, or the County Employees Retirement System who becomes the holder of an office entitling him to membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan or the Legislators' Retirement Plan, but who does not elect within thirty (30) days after taking office in such service to participate in the plan, in accordance with KRS 6.505 or 21.360, shall be deemed to have elected to retain membership in the system in which he is a member, either the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, State Police Retirement System, or the County Employees Retirement System. In that event, the agency employing the member shall withhold employee contributions, or picked-up employee contributions after August 2, 1982, make employer contributions and remit these contributions to the system in which the member retained his membership.

(b) Any person entitled to membership in the Judicial Retirement Plan or the Legislators' Retirement Plan, who does not elect within thirty (30) days after taking office to participate in the plan, in accordance with KRS 6.505 or 21.360, and who at the time of taking office is not a contributing member of, or does not have service credit in, any of the retirement systems mentioned in this section, or the Teachers' Retirement System, shall participate in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System.

(c) A member of one (1) of the state-administered retirement plans who ceases to contribute to the plan as provided in KRS 21.360 and who is employed in a nonelected position by an agency participating in the Kentucky Retirement Systems or Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall be deemed to have elected membership in the system in which the employer of the nonelected position participates. A member of one (1) of the state-administered retirement plans who ceases to contribute to the plan as provided in KRS 21.360 and who is not employed in a nonelected position by an agency participating in the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall be deemed to have elected membership in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System.

(4) (a) Prior to July 1, 1976, a person entering the service of an employer participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System with service credit in the Teachers' Retirement System and who desires to retain membership in the Teachers' Retirement System, and who is permitted by that system to continue, shall be exempt from participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System.

(b) Any person who has elected to retain membership in the Teachers' Retirement System as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection may cancel his election and participate in the system under which his position would normally participate, if he elects to cancel his option prior to January 1, 1977.

(c) Any member of the General Assembly who upon election is a contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System and who does not elect within thirty (30) days after taking office to participate in the Legislators' Retirement Plan, in accordance with KRS 6.505, shall during his term of office participate in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System unless an election to retain membership in the Teachers' Retirement System is filed in writing within ninety (90) days after his term of office begins. No contributions may be made to the Teachers' Retirement System for the same period of service under the Legislators' Retirement Plan or the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as a member of the General Assembly, but contributions made to the Teachers' Retirement System while a member of the General Assembly shall be transferred to the Legislators' Retirement Plan, as provided for in KRS 6.535, when the member elects to join the Legislators' Retirement Plan, and service credit in the Legislators' Retirement Plan shall be granted as provided for in KRS 6.505(5).

(5) Any member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System who is working in a position covered by one (1) of these retirement systems and his employee contributions, service credit and employer contributions made on his behalf are being transferred to the other retirement system shall contribute to the system in which his employer participates, or after August 1, 1982, the employer shall pick up the employee contributions, and no further contributions or service credit shall be transferred to the system in which he elected to retain membership, as subsection (2) of this section eliminates the necessity of the transfers.

(6) Any member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System who is working in more than one (1) position covered by the same retirement system, shall have his wages and contributions consolidated and his retirement account administered as a single account. If part-time positions are involved, an accumulation of all hours worked within the same retirement system shall be used to determine eligibility under KRS 61.510(21).

(7) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, a person who does not have the amount of service required for service retirement in the State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, Legislators' Retirement Plan, or Teachers' Retirement System, but who is a member of one (1) of the systems or is a former member of one (1) or more of the systems with valid service credit therein, shall become eligible for service retirement benefits attributable to the amount of his actual service credit in each system in which he has service credit when his combined service credit in all the systems, plus any service credit he has in the Judicial Retirement Plan, is equal to that required for service retirement in each respective system. The computation of benefits shall be based on the applicable formula in each system and service credit in each system, except that total service in all systems, unless prohibited by KRS 161.623(2), shall be used to determine the reduction for early retirement, if any. Except as provided in KRS 21.360, the final compensation shall be determined by using the creditable compensation reported to the State Police Retirement System, Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, Legislators' Retirement Plan, or Teachers' Retirement System and only as much of the compensation earned in the Judicial Retirement Plan as is needed to satisfy the final compensation requirement applicable in the respective retirement systems.

(b) Paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be waived if the member fails to simultaneously retire from all state-administered retirement systems in which the member has an account or fails to retire from any other systems not administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems within one (1) month of the member's effective retirement date in the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(8) Each retirement system from which the member retires shall pay a retirement allowance upon receipt of required forms and documents, except that no retirement system shall pay a retirement allowance or annuity until all forms and documents are filed at all retirement systems in compliance with each system's requirements.

(1) (a) 1. The board of trustees of Kentucky Retirement Systems shall arrange by appropriate contract or on a self-insured basis to provide a group hospital and medical insurance plan for present and future recipients of a retirement allowance from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, and State Police Retirement System, except as provided in subsection (8) of this section. The board shall also arrange to provide health care coverage through an insurer licensed pursuant to Subtitle 38 of KRS Chapter 304 and offering a managed care plan as defined in KRS 304.17A-500, as an alternative to group hospital and medical insurance for any person eligible for hospital and medical benefits under this section.

2. Any person who chooses coverage under a hospital and medical insurance plan shall pay, by payroll deduction from the retirement allowance or by another method, the difference in premium between the cost of the hospital and medical insurance plan coverage and the benefits to which he would be entitled under this section.

3. For purposes of this section, "hospital and medical insurance plan" may include, at the board's discretion, any one (1) or more of the following:

a. Any hospital and medical expense policy or certificate, provider- sponsored integrated health delivery network, self-insured medical plan, health maintenance organization contract, or other health benefit plan;

b. Any health savings account as permitted by 26 U.S.C. sec. 223 or health reimbursement arrangement or a similar account as may be permitted by 26 U.S.C. sec. 105 or 106. Such arrangement or account, in the board's discretion, may reimburse any medical expense permissible under 26 U.S.C. sec. 213; or

c. A medical insurance reimbursement program established by the board through the promulgation of administrative regulation under which members purchase individual health insurance coverage through a health insurance exchange established under 42 U.S.C. sec. 18031 or 18041.

(b) The board may authorize present and future recipients of a retirement allowance from any of the three (3) retirement systems to be included in the state employees' group for hospital and medical insurance and shall provide benefits for recipients equal to those provided to state employees having the same Medicare hospital and medical insurance eligibility status, except as provided in subsection (8) of this section. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, recipients shall be included in the same class as current state employees in determining medical insurance policies and premiums.

(c) For recipients of a retirement allowance who are not eligible for the same level of hospital and medical benefits as recipients living in Kentucky having the same Medicare hospital and medical insurance eligibility status, the board shall provide a medical insurance reimbursement plan as described in subsection (7) of this section.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in KRS Chapter 61 to the contrary, the board of trustees, in its discretion, may take necessary steps to ensure compliance with 42 U.S.C. secs. 300bb-1 et seq., including but not limited to receiving contributions and premiums from, and providing benefits pursuant to this section to, persons entitled to continuation coverage under 42 U.S.C. secs. 300bb-1 et seq., regardless of whether such persons are recipients of a retirement allowance.

(2) (a) Each employer participating in the State Police Retirement System as provided for in KRS 16.505 to 16.652, each employer participating in the County Employees Retirement System as provided in KRS 78.510 to 78.852, and each employer participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as provided for in KRS 61.510 to 61.705 shall contribute to the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund the amount necessary to provide hospital and medical insurance as provided for under this section. Such employer contribution rate shall be developed by appropriate actuarial method as a part of the determination of each respective employer contribution rate to each respective retirement system determined under KRS 61.565.

(b) 1. Each employer described in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall deduct from the creditable compensation of each member having a membership date on or after September 1, 2008, and effective January 1, 2019, of each member having a membership date on or after July 1, 2003, but prior to September 1, 2008, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the member's creditable compensation. The deducted amounts shall be credited to accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h), within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520.

2. The employer shall file the contributions as provided by subparagraph 1. of this paragraph at the retirement office in accordance with KRS 61.675 and 78.625. Any interest or penalties paid on any delinquent contributions shall be credited to accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h), within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520. Notwithstanding any minimum compensation requirements provided by law, the deductions provided by this paragraph shall be made, and the compensation of the member shall be reduced accordingly.

3. Each employer shall submit payroll reports, contributions lists, and other data as may be required by administrative regulation promulgated by the board of trustees pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A.

4. Every member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the deductions made pursuant to this paragraph, and the payment of salary or compensation less the deductions shall be a full and complete discharge of all claims for services rendered by the person during the period covered by the payment, except as to any benefits provided by KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852. No member may elect whether to participate in, or choose the contribution amount to accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520. The member shall have no option to receive the contribution required by this paragraph directly instead of having the contribution paid to accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520. No member may receive a rebate or refund of contributions. If a member establishes a membership date prior to September 1, 2008, pursuant to KRS 61.552(1) or 61.552(20), then this paragraph shall not apply to the member and all contributions previously deducted in accordance with this paragraph shall be refunded to the member without interest. The contribution made pursuant to this paragraph shall not act as a reduction or offset to any other contribution required of a member or recipient under KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852.

5. The board of trustees, at its discretion, may direct that the contributions required by this paragraph be accounted for within accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 through the use of separate accounts.

(3) (a) The premium required to provide hospital and medical benefits under this section shall be paid:

1. Wholly or partly from funds contributed by the recipient of a retirement allowance, by payroll deduction, or otherwise;

2. Wholly or partly from funds contributed by the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund;

3. Wholly or partly from funds contributed to accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520;

4. Wholly or partly from funds contributed by another state-administered retirement system under a reciprocal arrangement, except that any portion of the premium paid from the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 under a reciprocal agreement shall not exceed the amount that would be payable under this section if all the member's service were in one (1) of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems;

5. Partly from subparagraphs 1. to 4. of this paragraph, except that any premium for hospital and medical insurance over the amount contributed by the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund; accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520; or another state- administered retirement system under a reciprocal agreement shall be paid by the recipient by an automatic electronic transfer of funds. If the board provides for cross-referencing of insurance premiums, the employer's contribution for the working member or spouse shall be applied toward the premium, and the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall pay the balance, not to exceed the monthly contribution; or

6. In full from the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 for all recipients of a retirement allowance from any of the three (3) retirement systems where such recipient is a retired former member of one (1) or more of the three (3) retirement systems (not a beneficiary or dependent child receiving benefits) and had two hundred and forty (240) months or more of service upon retirement. Should such recipient have less than two hundred forty (240) months of service but have at least one hundred eighty (180) months of service, seventy-five percent (75%) of such premium shall be paid from the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, provided such recipient agrees to pay the remaining twenty- five percent (25%) by payroll deduction from his retirement allowance or by another method. Should such recipient have less than one hundred eighty (180) months of service but have at least one hundred twenty (120) months of service, fifty percent (50%) of such premium shall be paid from the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, provided such recipient agrees to pay the remaining fifty percent (50%) by payroll deduction from his retirement allowance or by another method. Should such recipient have less than one hundred twenty (120) months of service but have at least forty-eight (48) months of service, twenty-five percent (25%) of such premium shall be paid from the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, provided such recipient agrees to pay the remaining seventy- five percent (75%) by payroll deduction from his retirement allowance or by another method. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, an employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems who becomes disabled in the line of duty as defined in KRS 16.505(19) or 61.621, shall have his premium paid in full as if he had two hundred forty (240) months or more of service. Further, an employee participating in one (1) of the retirement systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems who is killed in the line of duty as defined in KRS 16.505(19) or 61.621, shall have the premium for the beneficiary, if the beneficiary is the member's spouse, and for each dependent child paid so long as they individually remain eligible for a monthly retirement benefit. "Months of service" as used in this section shall mean the total months of combined service used to determine benefits under any or all of the three (3) retirement systems, except service added to determine disability benefits shall not be counted as "months of service." For current and former employees of the Council on Postsecondary Education who were employed prior to January 1, 1993, and who earn at least fifteen (15) years of service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, "months of service" shall also include vested service in another retirement system other than the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System sponsored by the Council on Postsecondary Education.

(b) 1. For a member electing insurance coverage through the Kentucky Retirement Systems, "months of service" shall include, in addition to service as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, service credit in one (1) of the other state-administered retirement plans.

2. Effective August 1, 1998, the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall compute the member's combined service, including service credit in another state-administered retirement plan, and calculate the portion of the member's premium to be paid by the insurance trust fund accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520, according to the criteria established in paragraph (a) of this subsection. Each state-administered retirement plan annually shall pay to the insurance trust fund the percentage of the system's cost of the retiree's monthly contribution for single coverage for hospital and medical insurance which shall be equal to the percentage of the member's number of months of service in the other state-administered retirement plan divided by his total combined service. The amounts paid by the other state-administered retirement plans and the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall not be more than one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly contribution adopted by the respective boards of trustees.

3. A member may not elect coverage for hospital and medical benefits under this subsection through more than one (1) of the state- administered retirement plans.

4. A state-administered retirement plan shall not pay any portion of a member's monthly contribution for medical insurance unless the member is a recipient or annuitant of the plan.

5. The premium paid by the Kentucky Retirement Systems insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the monthly contribution rate toward hospital and medical insurance coverage approved by the board of trustees of the Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(4) (a) Group rates under the hospital and medical insurance plan shall be made available to the spouse, each dependent child, and each disabled child, regardless of the disabled child's age, of a recipient who is a former member or the beneficiary, if the premium for the hospital and medical insurance for the spouse, each dependent child, and each disabled child, or beneficiary is paid by payroll deduction from the retirement allowance or by another method. For purposes of this subsection only, a child shall be considered disabled if he has been determined to be eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits or meets the dependent disability standard established by the Department of Employee Insurance in the Personnel Cabinet.

(b) The other provisions of this section notwithstanding, the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall pay a percentage of the monthly contribution for the spouse and for each dependent child of a recipient who was a member of the General Assembly and is receiving a retirement allowance based on General Assembly service, of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System and determined to be in a hazardous position, of the County Employees Retirement System, and determined to be in a hazardous position or of the State Police Retirement System. The percentage of the monthly contribution paid for the spouse and each dependent child of a recipient who was in a hazardous position shall be based solely on the member's service with the State Police Retirement System or service in a hazardous position using the formula in subsection (3)(a) of this section, except that for any recipient of a retirement allowance from the County Employees Retirement System who was contributing to the system on January 1, 1998, for service in a hazardous position, the percentage of the monthly contribution shall be based on the total of hazardous service and any nonhazardous service as a police or firefighter with the same agency, if that agency was participating in the County Employees Retirement System but did not offer hazardous duty coverage for its police and firefighters at the time of initial participation.

(c) The insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, KRS 61.515, and 78.520 shall continue the same level of coverage for a recipient who was a member of the County Employees Retirement System after the age of sixty-five (65) as before the age of sixty-five (65), if the recipient is not eligible for Medicare coverage. If the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 provides coverage for the spouse or each dependent child of a former member of the County Employees Retirement System, the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall continue the same level of coverage for the spouse or each dependent child after the age of sixty-five (65) as before the age of sixty-five (65), if the spouse or dependent child is not eligible for Medicare coverage.

(5) After July 1, 1998, notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, a member who holds a judicial office but did not elect to participate in the Judicial Retirement Plan and is participating instead in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System, as provided in KRS 61.680, and who has at least twenty (20) years of total service, one-half (1/2) of which is in a judicial office, shall receive the same hospital and medical insurance benefits, including paid benefits for spouse and dependents, as provided to persons retiring under the provisions of KRS 21.427. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall pay the cost of the medical insurance benefits provided by this subsection.

(6) Premiums paid for hospital and medical insurance coverage procured under authority of this section shall be exempt from any premium tax which might otherwise be required under KRS Chapter 136. The payment of premiums by the insurance trust fund or accounts established pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h) within the funds established in KRS 16.510, 61.515, and 78.520 shall not constitute taxable income to an insured recipient. No commission shall be paid for hospital and medical insurance procured under authority of this section.

(7) The board shall promulgate an administrative regulation to establish a medical insurance reimbursement plan to provide reimbursement for hospital and medical insurance premiums of recipients of a retirement allowance who are not eligible for the same level of hospital and medical benefits as recipients living in Kentucky and having the same Medicare hospital and medical insurance eligibility status. An eligible recipient shall file proof of payment for hospital and medical insurance at the retirement office. Reimbursement to eligible recipients shall be made on a quarterly basis. The recipient shall be eligible for reimbursement of substantiated medical insurance premiums for an amount not to exceed the total monthly premium determined under subsection (3) of this section. The plan shall not be made available if all recipients are eligible for the same coverage as recipients living in Kentucky.

(8) (a) 1. For employees having a membership date on or after July 1, 2003, and before September 1, 2008, participation in the insurance benefits provided under this section shall not be allowed until the employee has earned at least one hundred twenty (120) months of service in the state- administered retirement systems.

2. For an employee having a membership date on or after September 1, 2008, participation in the insurance benefits provided under this section shall not be allowed until the employee has earned at least one hundred eighty (180) months of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system.

(b) An employee who meets the minimum service requirements as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be eligible for benefits as follows:

1. For employees who are not in a hazardous position, a monthly insurance contribution of ten dollars ($10) for each year of service as a participating employee.

2. For employees who are in a hazardous position or who participate in the State Police Retirement System, a monthly insurance contribution of fifteen dollars ($15) for each year of service as a participating employee in a hazardous position or as a participating member of the State Police Retirement System. Upon the death of the retired member, the beneficiary, if the beneficiary is the member's spouse, shall be entitled to a monthly insurance contribution of ten dollars ($10) for each year of service the member attained as a participating employee in a hazardous position or as a participating member of the State Police Retirement System.

(c) 1. The minimum service requirement to participate in benefits as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be waived for a member who is disabled or killed in the line of duty as defined in KRS 16.505(19), and the member or his spouse and eligible dependents shall be entitled to the benefits payable under this subsection as though the member had twenty (20) years of service in a hazardous position.

2. The minimum service required to participate in benefits as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be waived for a member who is disabled in the line of duty as defined in KRS 61.621, and the member shall be entitled to the benefits payable under this subsection as though the member has twenty (20) years of service in a nonhazardous position.

3. The minimum service required to participate in benefits as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection shall be waived for a member who is killed in the line of duty as described in KRS 61.621, and the member's spouse and eligible dependents shall be entitled to the benefits payable under this subsection as though the member has twenty (20) years of service in a hazardous position.

(d) The monthly insurance contribution amount shall be increased July 1 of each year by one and one-half percent (1.5%). The increase shall be cumulative and shall continue to accrue after the member's retirement for as long as a monthly insurance contribution is payable to the retired member or beneficiary.

(e) The benefits of this subsection provided to a member whose participation begins on or after July 1, 2003, shall not be considered as benefits protected by the inviolable contract provisions of KRS 61.692, 16.652, and 78.852. The General Assembly reserves the right to suspend or reduce the benefits conferred in this subsection if in its judgment the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands.

(f) An employee whose membership date is on or after September 1, 2008, who retires and is reemployed in a regular full-time position required to participate in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems shall not be eligible for health insurance coverage or benefits provided by this section and shall take coverage with his or her employing agency during the period of reemployment in a regular full-time position.

(1) Upon the death of a retired member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System who was receiving a monthly retirement allowance based on a minimum of forty-eight (48) months of service or whose retirement allowance based on a minimum of forty- eight (48) months was suspended in accordance with KRS 61.637, a death benefit of five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be paid. If the retired member had more than one (1) account in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, County Employees Retirement System, or State Police Retirement System, the system shall pay only one (1) five thousand dollar ($5,000) death benefit. Application for the death benefit made to the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall include acceptable evidence of death and of the eligibility of the applicant to act on the deceased retired member's behalf.

(2) The death benefit shall be paid to a beneficiary named by the retired member. Upon retirement or any time thereafter, the retired member may designate on the form prescribed by the board, death benefit designation, a person, the retired member's estate, a trust or trustee, or a licensed funeral home, as the beneficiary of the death benefit. The beneficiary for the death benefit may or may not be the same beneficiary designated in accordance with KRS 61.590(1). If the beneficiary designated under this section is a person and that person dies prior to the member, or if the beneficiary was the retired member's spouse and they were divorced on the date of the retired member's death, then the retired member's estate shall become the beneficiary, unless the retired member has filed a subsequent death benefit designation. If a licensed funeral home is designated as beneficiary and the licensed funeral home cannot be reasonably identified or located by Kentucky Retirement Systems at the time of the retired member's death, then the retired member's estate shall become the beneficiary of the death benefit.

(3) If, at the time of the retired member's death, a debt to the Kentucky Retirement Systems remains on his or her account, the balance owed shall be deducted from the five thousand dollars ($5,000) death benefit.

(4) Upon the death of a retired member, the death benefit provided pursuant to this section may be assigned by the designated beneficiary to a bank or licensed funeral home.

(5) Effective January 1, 2019, this section does not apply to members who began participating in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after January 1, 2014.

(1) For members who begin participating in the State Police Retirement System prior to January 1, 2014, it is hereby declared that in consideration of the contributions by the member, and in further consideration of benefits received by the state from the member's employment, KRS 16.510 to 16.645, except as provided in KRS 6.696 effective September 16, 1993, shall constitute an inviolable contract of the Commonwealth, and the benefits provided therein shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696, not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment or repeal, except:

(a) As provided in KRS 6.696; and

(b) The General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 16.505 to 16.652 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(2) (a) For members who begin participating in the State Police Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 16.505 to 16.652 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 16.505 to 16.652, for members who begin participating in the State Police Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014, except the benefits specified by paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the State Police Retirement System as provided by KRS 16.505 to 16.652 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2013.

(1) For members who begin participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System prior to January 1, 2014, it is hereby declared that in consideration of the contributions by the members and in further consideration of benefits received by the state from the member's employment, KRS 61.510 to 61.705 shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696 effective September 16, 1993, constitute an inviolable contract of the Commonwealth, and the benefits provided therein shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696, not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment, or repeal, except:

(a) As provided in KRS 6.696; and

(b) The General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 61.510 to 61.705 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(2) (a) For members who begin participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 61.510 to 61.705 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 61.510 to 61.705, except the benefits specified by paragraph (b) of this subsection, for members who begin participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as provided by KRS 61.510 to 61.705 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2013.

(1) For members who begin participating in the County Employees Retirement System prior to January 1, 2014, it is hereby declared that in consideration of the contributions by the members and in further consideration of benefits received by the county from the member's employment, KRS 78.510 to 78.852 shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696 effective September 16, 1993, constitute an inviolable contract of the Commonwealth, and the benefits provided therein shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696, not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment, or repeal, except:

(a) As provided in KRS 6.696; and

(b) The General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 78.510 to 78.852 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(2) (a) For members who begin participating in the County Employees Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 78.510 to 78.852 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 78.510 to 78.852, except the benefits specified by paragraph (b) of this subsection, for members who begin participating in the County Employees Retirement System on or after January 1, 2014.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the County Employees Retirement System as provided by KRS 78.510 to 78.852 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2013.

(1) Upon disability retirement, except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, an employee may receive an annual retirement allowance payable monthly during his lifetime which shall be determined in the same manner as for retirement at his normal retirement date with years of service and final compensation being determined as of the date of his disability except that service credit shall be added to the person's total service beginning with his last date of paid employment and continuing to his sixty-fifth birthday; however, the maximum service credit added shall not exceed the total service the person had upon his last day of paid employment, and the maximum combined service credit for calculating his disability retirement allowance, including total service and added service shall not exceed twenty-five (25) years. If, however, a person has accumulated twenty-five (25) or more years of total service, he shall receive added service necessary to bring his combined service credit, including total and added service, to twenty-seven (27) years.

(2) (a) For a member whose participation begins on or after August 1, 2004, but prior to January 1, 2014, the disability retirement allowance shall be the higher of twenty percent (20%) of the member's monthly final rate of pay or the retirement allowance determined in the same manner as for retirement at his normal retirement date with years of service and final compensation being determined as of the date of his disability.

(b) For a member who begins participating on or after January 1, 2014, in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 61.597 or who elects to participate in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 7, 12, or 38 of this Act, the disability retirement allowance shall be the higher of twenty percent (20%) of the member's monthly final rate of pay or the retirement allowance determined in the same manner as for retirement at his or her normal retirement date under KRS 61.597 or Section 12 of this Act, as applicable.

(1) If a member dies prior to the first day of the month in which the member would have received his or her first retirement allowance, the member's beneficiary shall be eligible for the benefits provided by this section if the member had on file a written designation of a beneficiary with the retirement office as provided by KRS 61.542 and the member met the following conditions at the date of his or her death:

(a) The member was eligible to retire under KRS 61.559(2) or (3), or 61.597(6)(a) or (b), or subsection (5)(a) or (b) of Section 12 of this Act;

(b) The member was in active employment or on authorized leave of absence with five (5) or more years of service credit and died prior to his or her normal retirement date or was normal retirement age or older and had at least four (4) years of service credit; or

(c) The member was not in active employment or on authorized leave of absence with twelve (12) or more years of service credit and died prior to his or her normal retirement date.

(2) If the beneficiary eligible for benefits as provided in subsection (1) of this section is a single person, then the beneficiary may elect to receive:

(a) A monthly benefit payable for the life of the beneficiary that is equal to the benefit that would have been paid had the member retired immediately prior to his or her date of death and elected to receive benefits payable under the survivorship one hundred percent (100%) option as provided in KRS 61.635(2);

(b) A monthly benefit payable for the life of the beneficiary under the beneficiary Social Security adjustment option as provided in KRS 61.635(9) that is the actuarial equivalent to the amount computed under paragraph (a) of this subsection;

(c) A monthly benefit payable for a period of sixty (60) months that is the actuarial equivalent to the amount computed under paragraph (a) of this subsection;

(d) A monthly benefit payable for a period of one hundred twenty (120) months that is the actuarial equivalent to the amount computed under paragraph (a) of this subsection;

(e) If the member began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2014, a monthly benefit payable for a period of one hundred twenty (120) months that is equivalent to the benefit the member would have been entitled to receive based on his or her years of service and final compensation at the date of his or her death reduced by the survivorship fifty percent (50%) factor as provided for in KRS 61.635(4), then reduced by fifty percent (50%), and that is the actuarial equivalent to the amount computed under paragraph (a) of this subsection; or

(f) The higher of a refund of the member's accumulated account balance as described in KRS 61.625(1) or one (1) time lump-sum payment which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the amount payable under paragraph (a) of this subsection for a period of sixty (60) months.

(3) If the beneficiary eligible for benefits as provided by subsection (1) of this section are multiple beneficiaries or a trust, then the multiple beneficiaries by consensus or the trustee may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent amounts payable under subsection (2)(c), (d), (e), or (f) of this section using the assumption that the beneficiary's age is the same as the member's age.

(4) If the beneficiary eligible for benefits as provided in subsection (1) of this section is the member's estate, then the beneficiary shall receive the higher of a refund of the member's accumulated account balance as described in KRS 61.625(1) or the one (1) time lump-sum payment payable under subsection (2)(f) of this section, using the assumption that the beneficiary's age is the same as the member's age.

(5) Payments of taxable distributions made pursuant to this section shall be subject to state and federal income tax as appropriate.

(1) In lieu of any other benefits due under KRS 61.510 to 61.705 and 78.510 to 78.852, a member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who has attained the age of sixty-five (65) and who has obtained at least one (1) month of service credit but no more than forty-seven (47) months of service may elect to receive an annual retirement allowance payable monthly or less frequently, as determined by the board, which shall be determined by multiplying his accumulated contributions by two (2) and converting this amount to an annual retirement allowance based on an annuity rate adopted by the board which would pay the actuarial equivalent of twice his accumulated contributions over the lifetime of the retired member.

(2) A member who begins participating before September 1, 2008, who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older is eligible for a retirement allowance determined under KRS 61.595 provided such member has forty-eight (48) months of service, at least twelve (12) of which are current service, or a retirement allowance determined under KRS 61.595 prior to age sixty-five (65) provided:

(a) The member has attained age fifty-five (55) and has service of sixty (60) months at least twelve (12) of which are current service; or

(b) The member is a retired member of the State Police Retirement System, has attained age fifty-five (55), and has service of forty-eight (48) months at least twelve (12) of which are current service; or

(c) The member is less than age fifty-five (55) and has twenty-five (25) or more years of service, at least fifteen (15) of which are current service; or

(d) The member has thirty (30) or more years of service at least fifteen (15) of which are current service, or the member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System has twenty- seven (27) or more years of service, at least fifteen (15) of which are current service; or

(e) The member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System has, at least, twenty-six (26) years of service credit, at least sixteen (16) of which are current consecutive years of service as a cabinet secretary or administrative head of one (1) of the three (3) branches of government; or

(f) The member has attained age fifty-five (55) and was an employee of a parted employer at the time his employer became ineligible to continue participation in the system, and his service in the system when added to his service with the parted employer subsequent to his separation from state government equals the early retirement service eligibility requirement of the system on the date his employer became ineligible to continue participation in the system.

(3) A member who begins participating on or after September 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2014, is eligible for a retirement allowance determined under KRS 61.595 if:

(a) The member is sixty-five (65) years of age or older and has at least five (5) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system;

(b) The member is fifty-seven (57) years of age or older and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for a retirement allowance under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system; or

(c) The member is sixty (60) years of age or older and has at least ten (10) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system.

(4) Subsections (1) to (3) of this section shall not apply to members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014. Members who begin participating in the system on or after January 1, 2014, shall receive the retirement benefits prescribed by KRS 61.597 or the 401(a) money purchase plan prescribed by Section 12 of this Act, as applicable.

Notwithstanding KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852:

(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, any participating member who began participating in a nonhazardous position in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or , the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System prior to July 1, 2019 January 1, 2014 , may on or after July 1, 2019, but prior to January 1, 2021, in lieu of the benefits he or she is currently eligible to receive from the systems, elect to be provided the following benefits:

(a) Participation in the 401(a) money purchase plan provided by Section 12 of this Act in lieu of accruing any additional benefits provided by subsection (14) of Section 14 of this Act, subsection (14) of Section 15 of this Act, or Section 19 or 27 of this Act receive the benefits and rights provided to members who began participating in the systems on or after January 1, 2014, including participating in the hybrid cash balance plan created pursuant to KRS 61.597 for members in nonhazardous duty positions or pursuant to KRS 16.583 for members in hazardous duty positions, as applicable;and

(b) Any other benefits the person would be eligible for in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System based upon the election provided by this section or his or her membership date in the state-administered retirement systems.

(2) The election provided by this section shall be made in writing and on a form prescribed by the Kentucky Retirement Systems board;

(3) For each member who makes an election provided by this section, :

(a) any service credit, final compensation, or other benefits the member has accrued prior to the effective election date January 1, 2014, shall remain but the member shall not accrue any additional service, final compensation, or any other benefits in a nonhazardous position in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or County Employees Retirement System on or after the effective election date for purposes of determining benefits under subsection (14) of Section 14 of this Act, subsection (14) of Section 15 of this Act, or Section 19 or 27 of this Act shall be considered as service credit earned on or after January 1, 2014, for purposes of determining benefits under KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852;

(b) On the member's effective election date, the value of the member's accumulated contributions, less any interest, shall be deposited into the member's hybrid cash balance account as provided by KRS 16.583or 61.597, as applicable, and considered part of the member's accumulated account balance;

(c) On the member's effective election date, an employer pay credit as provided by KRS 16.583 or 61.597, as applicable, shall be added to the member's accumulated account balance for each month the member contributed to the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System prior to his or her effective election date; and

(d) Interest credits as provided by KRS 16.583 or 61.597, as applicable, shall only be applied for periods occurring on or after the member's effective election date;

(4) Before accepting an election provided by this section, the Kentucky Retirement Systems board shall provide the member with information detailing the potential results of the member's election;

(5) An election made pursuant to this section shall be irrevocable;

(6) (a) A member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or , the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System shall not be eligible to make an election prescribed by this section until the Kentucky Retirement Systems receive a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this section.

(b) If the Internal Revenue Service denies the request for a private letter ruling as provided by paragraph (a) of this subsection, this section shall be void.

(c) The Kentucky Retirement Systems may promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A in order to carry out this section; and

(7) This section shall not apply to retirees who were reemployed on or after September 1, 2008, and who are not eligible to participate in the systems during reemployment.

(1) No trustee or employee of the Kentucky Retirement Systems board shall:

(a) (1) Have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board, save insofar as any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the retirement system;

(b) (2) Directly or indirectly, for himself or as an agent, use the assets of the retirement system, except to make current and necessary payments authorized by the board;

(c) (3) Become an indorser or surety or in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned by or borrowed from the board;

(d) (4) Have a contract or agreement with the retirement system, individually or through a business owned by the trustee or the employee;

(e) (5) Use his or her official position with the retirement system to obtain a financial gain or benefit or advantage for himself or herself or a family member;

(f) (6) Use confidential information acquired during his or her tenure with the retirement system to further his or her own economic interests or that of another person; or

(g) (7) Hold outside employment with, or accept compensation from, any person or business with which he or she has involvement as part of his or her official position with the retirement system. The provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a trustee from serving as an employee of an agency participating in one (1) of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(2) No trustee or employee of the board of trustees, who has served as a trustee or employee of the board on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(3) (a) No person who is serving as a member of the General Assembly or is a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees, except that any such trustee or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(b) No person who was serving as a member of the General Assembly on or after July 1, 2017, or was serving as a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such member or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems.

(1) A member of the State Police Retirement System, a member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System in a hazardous duty position covered by this section, or a member of the County Employees Retirement System in a hazardous duty position covered by this section, whose participation begins on or after January 1, 2014, or a member making an election pursuant to KRS 61.5955, shall receive the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of the retirement benefits provided under KRS 16.576 and 16.577. The retirement benefit provided by this section shall be known as the hybrid cash balance plan and shall operate as another benefit tier within the State Police Retirement System, the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, and the County Employees Retirement System.

(2) The hybrid cash balance plan shall provide a retirement benefit based upon the member's accumulated account balance, which shall include:

(a) Contributions made by the member as provided by KRS 16.505 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, and 78.510 to 78.852, except for employee contributions prescribed by KRS 61.702(2)(b);

(b) An employer pay credit of seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of the creditable compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section; and

(c) Interest credits added annually to the member's accumulated account balance as provided by this section.

(3) (a) Member contributions and employer pay credits as provided by subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall be credited to the member's account monthly as contributions are reported and posted to the system in accordance with KRS 61.675 and 78.625.

(b) Interest credits, as provided by subsection (2)(c) of this section, shall be credited to the member's account annually on June 30 of each fiscal year, as determined by subsection (4) of this section.

(4) (a) On June 30 of each fiscal year, the system shall determine if the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan during the fiscal year.

(b) If the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan during the fiscal year, the interest credit added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by a percentage increase equal to:

1. Four percent (4%); plus

2. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the system's geometric average net investment return in excess of a four percent (4%) rate of return.

(c) If the member did not contribute to the hybrid cash balance plan during the fiscal year, the interest credit added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by four percent (4%).

(d) For purposes of this subsection, "system's geometric average net investment return":

1. Means the annual average geometric investment return, net of administrative and investment fees and expenses, over the last five (5) fiscal years as of the date the interest is credited to the member's account; and

2. Shall be expressed as a percentage and based upon the system in which the member has an account.

(e) No employer pay credits or interest credits shall be provided to a member who has taken a refund of contributions as provided by KRS 61.625 or who has retired and annuitized his or her accumulated account balance as prescribed by this section.

(5) (a) Upon termination of employment, a member who has less than five (5) years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall forfeit the accumulated employer credit, and shall only receive a refund of his or her accumulated contributions.

(b) Upon termination of employment, a member who has five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), and 78.615(1), who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by KRS 61.625, shall receive a full refund of his or her accumulated account balance.

(6) A member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section may retire:

(a) At his or her normal retirement date, provided he or she has earned five (5) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1), or another state-administered retirement system; or

(b) At any age, provided he or she has earned twenty-five (25) or more years of service credited under KRS 16.543(1), 61.543(1), or 78.615(1) or another state-administered retirement system.

(7) A member eligible to retire under subsection (6) of this section may elect to:

(a) Receive a monthly retirement allowance payable for life by having his or her accumulated account balance annuitized by the retirement systems in accordance with the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods adopted by the board and in effect on the member's retirement date;

(b) Receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance calculated under paragraph (a) of this subsection payable under one (1) of the options set forth in KRS 61.635, except for the option provided by KRS 61.635(11); or

(c) Take a refund of his or her account balance as provided by KRS 61.625.

(8) The provisions of this section shall not apply to members who began participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System prior to January 1, 2014, except for those members making an election pursuant to KRS 61.5955.

The following subjects shall be administered in the same manner subject to the same limitations and requirements as provided for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as follows:

(1) Cessation of membership, as provided for by KRS 61.535;

(2) Medical examiners and hearing procedures, as provided for by KRS 61.665;

(3) Actuarial bases, as provided for by KRS 61.670;

(4) Duties of the employer, as provided for by KRS 61.675;

(5) Exemption of benefits of the system for taxation and qualified domestic relations orders, as provided for by KRS 61.690;

(6) Retirement allowance increase, as provided for by KRS 61.691;

(7) Calculation of retirement allowance, as provided for by KRS 61.599;

(8) Beneficiaries to be designated by member, change, rights, as provided for by KRS 61.542;

(9) Year of service credit, as provided for by KRS 61.545;

(10) Refund of contributions, death after retirement, as provided by KRS 61.630;

(11) Custodian of fund, payments made, when, as provided for by KRS 61.660;

(12) Credit for service prior to membership date, as provided for by KRS 61.526;

(13) Member's account, confidential, as provided for by KRS 61.661;

(14) Cessation of membership, loss of benefits, as provided for by KRS 61.550;

(15) Correction of errors in records, as provided for by KRS 61.685;

(16) Maximum disability benefit, as provided for by KRS 61.607;

(17) Retirement application procedure, effective retirement date, as provided for by KRS 61.590;

(18) Employer contributions, as provided for by KRS 61.565;

(19) Reinstatement of lost service credit, purchase of service credit, interest paid, and delayed contribution and installment payments, as provided for by KRS 61.552;

(20) Reciprocal arrangement between systems, as provided by KRS 61.680;

(21) Refund of contributions, conditions, as provided by KRS 61.625;

(22) Hospital and medical insurance plan, as provided by KRS 61.702;

(23) Death benefit, as provided by KRS 61.705;

(24) Disability retirement allowance, reduction, and discontinuance, as provided by KRS 61.615;

(25) Service credit, Armed Forces, as provided by KRS 61.555;

(26) Reinstated employee, contributions on creditable compensation, as provided for by KRS 61.569;

(27) Statement to be made under oath, good faith reliance, as provided for in KRS 61.699;

(28) Retirement of persons in hazardous positions, as provided for by KRS 61.592;

(29) Direct deposit of recipient's retirement allowance as provided in KRS 61.623;

(30) Purchase of service credit effective July 1, 2001, as provided in KRS 61.5525;

(31) Payment of small amounts upon death of member, retiree, or recipient without formal administration of the estate as provided in KRS 61.703;

(32) Suspension of retirement payments on reemployment, reinstatement, recomputation of allowance, waiver of provisions in certain instances, reemployment in a different position, as provided for by KRS 61.637;

(33) Medical examination and financial review after disability retirement, staff review, as provided in KRS 61.610;and

(34) Employer payment of increases in creditable compensation and adjustments to creditable compensation during the last five (5) years of employment as provided by KRS 61.598; and

(35) Benefit election for members of the Kentucky Retirement Systems who began participating prior to January 1, 2014, as provided by KRS 61.5955.

The following matters shall be administered in the same manner subject to the same limitations and requirements as provided for the Kentucky Employees Retirement System as follows:

(1) Cessation of membership, conditions, as provided for by KRS 61.535;

(2) Statement of member and employer, as provided for by KRS 61.540;

(3) Beneficiary to be designated by member, change, rights, as provided for by KRS 61.542;

(4) Service credit determination, as provided for by KRS 61.545;

(5) Cessation of membership, loss of benefits, as provided for by KRS 61.550;

(6) Service credit, Armed Forces, as provided for by KRS 61.555;

(7) Normal and early retirement eligibility requirements, as provided for by KRS 61.559;

(8) Retirement allowance increases as provided for by KRS 61.691;

(9) Retirement application procedure, effective retirement date, as provided for by KRS 61.590;

(10) Disability retirement, conditions, as provided for by KRS 61.600;

(11) Disability retirement, allowance, as provided for by KRS 61.605;

(12) Medical examination after disability retirement, as provided for by KRS 61.610;

(13) Disability retirement allowance, reduction, as provided for by KRS 61.615;

(14) Determination of retirement allowance, as provided for by KRS 61.595;

(15) Refund of contributions, conditions, as provided for by KRS 61.625;

(16) Refund of contributions, death after retirement, as provided for by KRS 61.630;

(17) Optional retirement plans, as provided for by KRS 61.635;

(18) Suspension of retirement payments on reemployment, reinstatement, as provided for by KRS 61.637;

(19) Death before retirement, beneficiary's options, as provided for by KRS 61.640;

(20) Board of trustees, conflict of interest, as provided for by KRS 61.655;

(21) Custodian of funds, payments made, when, as provided for by KRS 61.660;

(22) Medical examiners and hearing procedures, as provided for by KRS 61.665;

(23) Actuarial bases, as provided for by KRS 61.670;

(24) Employer's administrative duties, as provided for by KRS 61.675;

(25) Correction of errors in records, as provided for by KRS 61.685;

(26) Exemptions of retirement allowances, and qualified domestic relations orders, as provided for by KRS 61.690;

(27) Credit for service prior to membership date, as provided for by KRS 61.526;

(28) Creditable compensation of fee officers, as provided for by KRS 61.541;

(29) Members' account, confidential, as provided for by KRS 61.661;

(30) Retirement plan for employees determined to be in a hazardous position, as provided for by KRS 61.592;

(31) Maximum disability benefit, as provided for by KRS 61.607;

(32) Consent of employees to deductions and reciprocal arrangement between systems, as provided for by KRS 61.680;

(33) Employer contributions, as provided for by KRS 61.565;

(34) Recontribution and delayed contribution payments, purchase of service credit, interest, and installment payments, as provided for by KRS 61.552;

(35) Hospital and medical insurance plan, as provided by KRS 61.702;

(36) Death benefit, as provided by KRS 61.705;

(37) Reinstated employee, contributions on creditable compensation, as provided for by KRS 61.569;

(38) Statement to be made under oath, good faith reliance, as provided for in KRS 61.699;

(39) Disability procedure for members in hazardous positions as provided for in KRS 16.582;

(40) Direct deposit of recipient's retirement allowance as provided for in KRS 61.623;

(41) Death or disability from a duty-related injury as provided in KRS 61.621;

(42) Purchase of service credit effective July 1, 2001, as provided in KRS 61.5525;

(43) Payment of small accounts upon death of member, retiree, or recipient without formal administration of the estate as provided in KRS 61.703;

(44) Hybrid cash balance plan and 401(a) money purchase plan provided to new members as provided by KRS 61.597 and Section 12 of this Act;

(45) Employer payment of increases in creditable compensation and adjustments to creditable compensation during the last five (5) years of employment as provided by KRS 61.598;

(46) Calculation of retirement allowance, as provided by KRS 61.599;

(47) Voluntary and involuntary cessation of participation by a participating agency as provided by KRS 61.522; and

(48) Benefit election for members of the Kentucky Retirement Systems who began participating prior to July 1, 2019 January 1, 2014, as provided by KRS 61.5955.

(1) An individual who becomes a member of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, shall receive the retirement benefits provided by this section in lieu of the retirement benefits provided under Sections 69 and 73 of this Act. The retirement benefits provided by this section shall be known as the hybrid cash balance plan and shall operate as another benefit tier within the Teachers' Retirement System.

(2) The hybrid cash balance plan shall provide a retirement benefit based upon the member's accumulated account balance, which shall include:

(a) Contributions made by the member as provided by KRS 161.220 to 161.716, except for employee contributions prescribed by subsection (1)(a)2., (1)(b)2., or (1)(c) of Section 57 of this Act;

(b) An employer pay credit for:

1. Nonuniversity employees equal to eight percent (8%) of the compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section; and

2. University employees equal to four percent (4%) of the compensation earned by the employee for each month the employee is contributing to the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section; and

(c) Regular interest added annually to the member's accumulated account balance as provided by this section.

(3) (a) Member contributions and employer pay credits as provided by subsection (2)(a) and (b) of this section shall be credited to the member's account monthly as contributions are reported and posted to the system in accordance with KRS 161.560.

(b) Regular interest, as provided by subsection (2)(c) of this section, shall be credited to the member's account annually on June 30 of each fiscal year, as determined by subsection (4) of this section.

(4) (a) On June 30 of each fiscal year, the system shall determine if the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year.

(b) If the member contributed to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state- administered retirement system during the fiscal year, the regular interest added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the member's accumulated account balance on June 30 of the preceding fiscal year by a percentage increase equal to eighty-five percent (85%) of the system's geometric average net investment return, but in no case shall be less than zero percent (0%).

(c) If the member did not contribute to the hybrid cash balance plan or another state-administered retirement system during the fiscal year, the regular interest added to the member's account for that fiscal year shall be zero percent (0%).

(d) For purposes of this subsection, "system's geometric average net investment return":

1. Means the annual average geometric investment return, net of administrative and investment fees and expenses, over the last ten (10) fiscal years as of the date the regular interest is credited to the member's account; and

2. Shall be expressed as a percentage.

(e) No employer pay credits or regular interest shall be provided to a member who has taken a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by Section 49 of this Act or who has retired and annuitized his or her accumulated account balance as prescribed by this section.

(5) (a) Upon termination of employment, a member who has less than five (5) years of service credited under Section 51 of this Act, who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by Section 49 of this Act, shall forfeit the accumulated employer credit, and shall only receive a refund of his or her accumulated contributions.

(b) Upon termination of employment, a member who has five (5) or more years of service credited under Section 51 of this Act, who elects to take a refund of his or her accumulated account balance as provided by Section 49 of this Act, shall receive a full refund of his or her accumulated account balance.

(6) A member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section may qualify for service retirement by meeting one (1) of the following requirements:

(a) On or after age sixty-five (65), if he or she has earned five (5) or more years of service credited under Section 51 of this Act, or another state- administered retirement system; or

(b) If the member is at least age fifty-seven (57) and has an age and years of service total of at least eighty-seven (87) years. The years of service used to determine eligibility for retirement under this paragraph shall only include years of service credited under Section 51 of this Act, or another state- administered retirement system.

(7) A member eligible to retire under subsection (6) of this section may elect to:

(a) Receive a monthly retirement allowance payable for life by having his or her accumulated account balance annuitized by the retirement system in accordance with the actuarial assumptions and actuarial methods adopted by the board and in effect on the member's retirement date;

(b) Receive the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance calculated under paragraph (a) of this subsection payable under one (1) of the options established by the board pursuant to Section 75 of this Act; or

(c) Take a refund of his or her account balance as provided by Section 49 of this Act.

(8) This section does not apply to members who began participating in the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, except for those members who make an election as prescribed by subsection (9) of this section.

(9) (a) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, any contributing member who began participating in the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, who has less than five (5) years of service in the system may, in lieu of the benefits he or she is currently eligible to receive from the Teachers' Retirement System, elect to participate in the hybrid cash balance plan provided by this section and receive the other benefits and rights under KRS 161.220 to 161.716 provided to members who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2019. After such election, the member shall for purposes of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 be considered a member who began participating on or after January 1, 2019.

(b) The election provided by this subsection shall be made in writing and on a form prescribed by the Teachers' Retirement System board.

(c) For each member who makes an election provided by this subsection:

1. Any service credit the member has accrued prior to January 1, 2019, shall be considered as service credit earned on or after January 1, 2019; and

2. On the member's effective election date, the value of the member's accumulated contributions shall be deposited into the member's hybrid cash balance plan account.

(d) Before accepting an election provided by this subsection, the Teachers' Retirement System board shall provide the member with information detailing the potential results of the member's election.

(e) An election made pursuant to this subsection shall be irrevocable.

(f) 1. A member of the Teachers' Retirement System shall not be eligible to make an election prescribed by this subsection until the board receives a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service regarding this subsection.

2. If the Internal Revenue Service denies the request for a private letter ruling as provided by subparagraph 1. of this paragraph, this subsection shall be void.

3. The system may promulgate administrative regulations under KRS Chapter 13A in order to carry out this subsection.

(g) This subsection does not apply to annuitants who retired on or after January 1, 2019, and who were reemployed on or after January 1, 2019, and who are not eligible to participate in the system during reemployment.

(1) As used in this section:

(a) "Teacher" shall mean any person for whom certification is required as a basis of employment in the common schools of the state;

(b) "Employee" shall mean any person, other than a teacher, employed in the public schools, whether on a full or part-time basis;

(c) "Immediate family" shall mean the teacher's or employee's spouse, children including stepchildren and foster children, grandchildren, daughters-in-law and sons-in law, brothers and sisters, parents and spouse's parents, and grandparents and spouse's grandparents, without reference to the location or residence of said relative, and any other blood relative who resides in the teacher's or employee's home;

(d) "Sick leave bank" shall mean an aggregation of sick leave days contributed by teachers or employees for use by teachers or employees who have exhausted all sick leave and other available paid leave days; and

(e) "Assault" shall mean an act that intentionally causes injury so significant that the victim is determined to be, by certification of a physician or surgeon duly qualified under KRS Chapter 342, incapable of performing the duties of his or her job.

(2) Each district board of education shall allow to each teacher and full-time employee in its common school system not less than ten (10) days of sick leave during each school year, without deduction of salary. Sick leave shall be granted to a teacher or employee if he or she presents a personal affidavit or a certificate of a physician stating that the teacher or employee was ill, that the teacher or employee was absent for the purpose of attending to a member of his or her immediate family who was ill, or for the purpose of mourning a member of his or her immediate family. The ten (10) days of sick leave granted in this subsection may be taken by a teacher or employee on any ten (10) days of the school year and shall be granted in addition to accumulated sick leave days that have been credited to the teacher or employee under the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

(3) A school district shall coordinate among the income and benefits from workers' compensation, temporary disability retirement, and district payroll and benefits so that there is no loss of income or benefits to a teacher or employee for work time lost because of an assault while performing the teacher's or employee's assigned duties for a period of up to one (1) year after the assault. In the event a teacher or employee suffers an assault while performing his or her assigned duties that results in injuries that qualify the teacher or employee for workers' compensation benefits, the district shall provide leave to the teacher or employee for up to one (1) year after the assault with no loss of income or benefits under the following conditions:

(a) The district shall pay the salary of the teacher or employee between the time of the assault and the time the teacher's or employee's workers' compensation income benefits take effect, or the time the teacher or employee is certified to return to work by a physician or surgeon duly qualified under KRS Chapter 342, whichever is sooner;

(b) The district shall pay, for up to one (1) year from the time of the assault, the difference between the salary of the teacher or employee and any workers' compensation income benefits received by the teacher or employee resulting from the assault. Payments by the district shall include payments for intermittent work time missed as a result of the assault during the one (1) year period. If the teacher's or employee's workers' compensation income benefits cease during the one (1) year period after the assault, the district shall also cease to make payments under this paragraph;

(c) The Commonwealth, through the Kentucky Department of Education, shall make the employer's health insurance contribution during the period that the district makes payments under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection;

(d) The Commonwealth, through the Kentucky Department of Education, shall make the employer's contribution to the retirement system in which the teacher or employee is a member during the period that the district makes payments under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection; and

(e) Payments to a teacher or employee under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection shall be coordinated with workers' compensation benefits under KRS Chapter 342, disability retirement benefits for teachers under KRS 161.661 to 161.663, and disability retirement benefits for employees under KRS 61.600 to 61.621 and 78.545 so that the teacher or employee receives income equivalent to his or her full contracted salary, but in no event shall the combined payments exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the teacher's or employee's full contracted salary.

(4) Days of sick leave not taken by an employee or a teacher during any school year shall accumulate without limitation and be credited to that employee or teacher. Accumulated sick leave may be taken in any school year. Any district board of education may, in its discretion, allow employees or teachers in its common school system sick leave in excess of the number of days prescribed in this section and may allow school district employees and teachers to use up to three (3) days' sick leave per school year for emergency leave pursuant to KRS 161.152(3). Any accumulated sick leave days credited to an employee or a teacher shall remain so credited in the event he or she transfers his or her place of employment from one (1) school district to another within the state or to the Kentucky Department of Education or transfers from the Department of Education to a school district.

(5) Accumulated days of sick leave shall be granted to a teacher or employee if, prior to the opening day of the school year, an affidavit or a certificate of a physician is presented to the district board of education, stating that the teacher or employee is unable to commence his or her duties on the opening day of the school year, but will be able to assume his or her duties within a period of time that the board determines to be reasonable.

(6) Any school teacher or employee may repurchase previously used sick leave days with the concurrence of the local school board by paying to the district an amount equal to the total of all costs associated with the used sick leave.

(7) A district board of education may adopt a plan for a sick leave bank. The plan may include limitations upon the number of days a teacher or employee may annually contribute to the bank and limitations upon the number of days a teacher or employee may annually draw from the bank. Only those teachers or employees who contribute to the bank may draw upon the bank. Days contributed will be deducted from the days available to the contributing teacher or employee. The sick leave bank shall be administered in accordance with a policy adopted by the board of education.

(8) (a) A district board of education shall establish a sick leave donation program to permit teachers or employees to voluntarily contribute sick leave to teachers or employees in the same school district who are in need of an extended absence from school. A teacher or employee who has accrued more than fifteen (15) days' sick leave may request the board of education to transfer a designated amount of sick leave to another teacher or employee who is authorized to receive the sick leave donated. A teacher or employee may not request an amount of sick leave be donated that reduces his or her sick leave balance to less than fifteen (15) days.

(b) A teacher or employee may receive donations of sick leave if:

1. a. The teacher or employee or a member of his or her immediate family suffers from a medically certified illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that has caused or is likely to cause the teacher or employee to be absent for at least ten (10) days; or

b. The teacher or employee suffers from a catastrophic loss to his or her personal or real property, due to either a natural disaster or fire, that either has caused or will likely cause the employee to be absent for at least ten (10) consecutive working days;

2. The teacher's or employee's need for the absence and use of leave are certified by a licensed physician for leave requested under subparagraph 1.a. of this subsection;

3. The teacher or employee has exhausted his or her accumulated sick leave, personal leave, and any other leave granted by the school district; and

4. The teacher or employee has complied with the school district's policies governing the use of sick leave.

(c) While a teacher or employee is on sick leave provided by this section, he or she shall be considered a school district employee, and his or her salary, wages, and other employee benefits shall not be affected.

(d) Any sick leave that remains unused, is not needed by a teacher or employee, and will not be needed in the future shall be returned to the teacher or employee donating the sick leave.

(e) The board of education shall adopt policies and procedures necessary to implement the sick leave donation program.

(9) A teacher or employee may use up to thirty (30) days of sick leave following the birth or adoption of a child or children. Additional days may be used when the need is verified by a physician's statement.

(10) (a) After July 1, 1982, and except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a district board of education may compensate, at the time of retirement or upon the death of a member in active contributing status at the time of death who was eligible to retire by reason of service, an employee or a teacher, or the estate of an employee or teacher, for each unused sick leave day. The rate of compensation for each unused sick leave day shall be based on a percentage of the daily salary rate calculated from the employee's or teacher's last annual salary, not to exceed thirty percent (30%). Payment for unused sick leave days, not to exceed the amount based upon the unused sick leave days accrued as of December 31, 2018, shall be incorporated into the annual compensation annual salary of the final year of service for inclusion in the calculation of the employee's or teacher's retirement allowance only at the time of his or her initial retirement; provided that the member makes the regular retirement contribution for members on the sick leave payment. The accumulation of these days includes unused sick leave days held by the employee or teacher at the time of implementation of the program.

(b) For a teacher or employee who begins employment with a local school district on or after July 1, 2008, the maximum amount of unused sick leave days a district board of education may recognize in calculating the payment of compensation to the teacher or employee under this subsection shall not exceed three hundred (300) days.

(11) Any statute to the contrary notwithstanding, employees and teachers who transferred from the Department of Education to a school district, from a school district to the Department of Education, or from one (1) school district to another school district after July 15, 1981, shall receive credit for any unused sick leave to which the employee or teacher was entitled on the date of transfer. This credit shall be for the purposes set forth in subsection (10) of this section.

(12) The death benefit provided in subsection (10) of this section may be cited as the Baughn Benefit.

As used in KRS 161.220 to 161.716 and 161.990:

(1) "Retirement system" means the arrangement provided for in KRS 161.220 to 161.716 and 161.990 for payment of allowances to members;

(2) "Retirement allowance" means the amount annually payable during the course of his natural life to a member who has been retired by reason of service;

(3) "Disability allowance" means the amount annually payable to a member retired by reason of disability;

(4) "Member" means the commissioner of education, deputy commissioners, associate commissioners, and all division directors in the State Department of Education, employees participating in the system pursuant to KRS 196.167(3)(b)1., and any full-time teacher or professional occupying a position requiring certification or graduation from a four (4) year college or university, as a condition of employment, and who is employed by public boards, institutions, or agencies as follows:

(a) Local boards of education;

(b) Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Western Kentucky University, and any community colleges established under the control of these universities;

(c) State-operated secondary area vocational education or area technology centers, Kentucky School for the Blind, and Kentucky School for the Deaf;

(d) The Education Professional Standards Board, other public education agencies as created by the General Assembly, and those members of the administrative staff of the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Kentucky whom the board of trustees may designate by administrative regulation;

(e) Regional cooperative organizations formed by local boards of education or other public educational institutions listed in this subsection, for the purpose of providing educational services to the participating organizations;

(f) All full-time members of the staffs of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators, Kentucky Education Association, Kentucky Vocational Association, Kentucky High School Athletic Association, Kentucky Academic Association, and the Kentucky School Boards Association who were members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System or were qualified for a position covered by the system at the time of employment by the association in the event that the board of directors of the respective association petitions to be included. The board of trustees of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may designate by resolution whether part-time employees of the petitioning association are to be included, except as limited by Section 71 of this Act. The state shall make no contributions on account of these employees, either full- time or part-time. The association shall make the employer's contributions, including any contribution that is specified under KRS 161.550. The provisions of this paragraph shall be applicable to persons in the employ of the associations on or subsequent to July 1, 1972;

(g) Employees of the Council on Postsecondary Education who were employees of the Department for Adult Education and Literacy and who were members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System at the time the department was transferred to the council pursuant to Executive Order 2003-600;

(h) The Office of Career and Technical Education, except that the executive director shall not be a member;

(i) The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation;

(j) The Kentucky Educational Collaborative for State Agency Children;

(k) The Governor's Scholars Program;

(l) Any person who is retired for service from the retirement system and is reemployed by an employer identified in this subsection in a position that the board of trustees deems to be a member, except that any person who retires on or after January 1, 2019, shall upon reemployment after retirement not earn a second retirement account;

(m) Employees of the former Cabinet for Workforce Development who are transferred to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System and who occupy positions covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall remain in the Teachers' Retirement System. New employees occupying these positions, as well as newly created positions qualifying for Teachers' Retirement System coverage that would have previously been included in the former Cabinet for Workforce Development, shall be members of the Teachers' Retirement System;

(n) Effective January 1, 1998, employees of state community colleges who are transferred to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System shall continue to participate in federal old age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance, and a retirement plan other than the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System offered by Kentucky Community and Technical College System. New employees occupying positions in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System as referenced in KRS 164.5807(5) that would not have previously been included in the former Cabinet for Workforce Development, shall participate in federal old age, survivors, disability, and hospital insurance and have a choice at the time of employment of participating in a retirement plan provided by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, including participation in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, on the same basis as faculty of the state universities as provided in KRS 161.540, and 161.620, and Section 43 of this Act;

(o) Employees of the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Budget and Administrative Services, and the Office of Quality and Human Resources within the Office of the Secretary of the former Cabinet for Workforce Development and the commissioners of the former Department for Adult Education and Literacy and the former Department for Technical Education who were contributing to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System as of July 15, 2000;

(p) Employees of the Kentucky Department of Education only who are graduates of a four (4) year college or university, notwithstanding a substitution clause within a job classification, and who are serving in a professional job classification as defined by the department; and

(q) The Governor's School for Entrepreneurs Program.

(5) "Present teacher" means any teacher who was a teacher on or before July 1, 1940, and became a member of the retirement system created by 1938 (1st Extra. Sess.) Ky. Acts ch. 1, on the date of the inauguration of the system or within one (1) year after that date, and any teacher who was a member of a local teacher retirement system in the public elementary or secondary schools of the state on or before July 1, 1940, and continued to be a member of the system until he, with the membership of the local retirement system, became a member of the state Teachers' Retirement System or who becomes a member under the provisions of KRS 161.470(4);

(6) "New teacher" means any member not a present teacher;

(7) "Prior service" means the number of years during which the member was a teacher in Kentucky prior to July 1, 1941, except that not more than thirty (30) years' prior service shall be allowed or credited to any teacher;

(8) "Subsequent service" means the number of years during which the teacher is a member of the Teachers' Retirement System after July 1, 1941;

(9) "Final average salary" means the average of the five (5) highest annual salaries which the member has received for service in a covered position and on which the member has made contributions, or on which the public board, institution, or agency has picked-up member contributions pursuant to KRS 161.540(2), or the average of the five (5) years of highest salaries as defined in KRS 61.680(2)(a), which shall include picked-up member contributions. Additionally, the board of trustees may approve a final average salary based upon the average of the three (3) highest salaries for members who are at least fifty-five (55) years of age and have a minimum of twenty-seven (27) years of Kentucky service credit. However, if any of the five (5) or three (3) highest annual salaries used to calculate the final average salary was paid within the three (3) years immediately prior to the date of the member's retirement, the amount of salary to be included for each of those three (3) years for the purpose of calculating the final average salary shall be limited to the lesser of:

(a) The member's actual salary; or

(b) The member's annual salary that was used for retirement purposes during each of the prior three (3) years, plus a percentage increase equal to the percentage increase received by all other members employed by the public board, institution, or agency, or for members of school districts, the highest percentage increase received by members on any one (1) rank and step of the salary schedule of the school district. The increase shall be computed on the salary that was used for retirement purposes.

This limitation shall not apply if the member receives an increase in salary in a percentage exceeding that received by the other members, and this increase was accompanied by a corresponding change in position or in length of employment. This limitation shall also not apply to the payment to a member for accrued annual leave if the individual becomes a member before July 1, 2008, or accrued sick leave which is authorized by statute and which shall be included as part of a retiring member's annual compensation for the member's last year of active service as provided by Section 44 of this Act;

(10) "Annual compensation" means the total salary received by a member as compensation for all services performed in employment covered by the retirement system during a fiscal year. Annual compensation shall not include payment for any benefit or salary adjustments made by the public board, institution, or agency to the member or on behalf of the member which is not available as a benefit or salary adjustment to other members employed by that public board, institution, or agency. Annual compensation shall not include the salary supplement received by a member under KRS 157.197(2)(c), 158.6455, or 158.782 on or after July 1, 1996. Under no circumstances shall annual compensation include compensation that is earned by a member while on assignment to an organization or agency that is not a public board, institution, or agency listed in subsection (4) of this section. In the event that federal law requires that a member continue membership in the retirement system even though the member is on assignment to an organization or agency that is not a public board, institution, or agency listed in subsection (4) of this section, the member's annual compensation for retirement purposes shall be deemed to be the annual compensation, as limited by subsection (9) of this section, last earned by the member while still employed solely by and providing services directly to a public board, institution, or agency listed in subsection (4) of this section. The board of trustees shall determine if any benefit or salary adjustment qualifies as annual compensation. For an individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, annual compensation shall not include lump-sum payments upon termination of employment for accumulated annual or compensatory leave;

(11) "Age of member" means the age attained on the first day of the month immediately following the birthdate of the member. This definition is limited to retirement eligibility and does not apply to tenure of members;

(12) "Employ," and derivatives thereof, means relationships under which an individual provides services to an employer as an employee, as an independent contractor, as an employee of a third party, or under any other arrangement as long as the services provided to the employer are provided in a position that would otherwise be covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and as long as the services are being provided to a public board, institution, or agency listed in subsection (4) of this section;

(13) "Regular interest" means interest at three percent (3%) per annum, except:

(a) For an individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2019,"regular interest" means interest at two and one-half percent (2.5%) per annum for purposes of crediting interest to the teacher savings account or any other contributions made by the employee that are refundable to the employee upon termination of employment; and

(b) For an individual who becomes a member on or after January 1, 2019, who is participating in the hybrid cash balance plan, "regular interest" means the regular interest credited to the member's accumulated account balance as provided by Section 43 of this Act;

(14) "Accumulated contributions" means the contributions of a member to the teachers' savings fund, including picked-up member contributions as described in KRS 161.540(2), plus accrued regular interest;

(15) "Annuitant" means a person who receives a retirement allowance or a disability allowance;

(16) "Local retirement system" means any teacher retirement or annuity system created in any public school district in Kentucky in accordance with the laws of Kentucky;

(17) "Fiscal year" means the twelve (12) month period from July 1 to June 30. The retirement plan year is concurrent with this fiscal year. A contract for a member employed by a local board of education may not exceed two hundred sixty-one (261) days in the fiscal year;

(18) "Public schools" means the schools and other institutions mentioned in subsection (4) of this section;

(19) "Dependent" as used in KRS 161.520 and 161.525 means a person who was receiving, at the time of death of the member, at least one-half (1/2) of the support from the member for maintenance, including board, lodging, medical care, and related costs;

(20) "Active contributing member" means a member currently making contributions to the Teachers' Retirement System, who made contributions in the next preceding fiscal year, for whom picked-up member contributions are currently being made, or for whom these contributions were made in the next preceding fiscal year;

(21) "Full-time" means employment in a position that requires services on a continuing basis equal to at least seven-tenths (7/10) of normal full-time service on a fiscal year basis;

(22) "Full actuarial cost," when used to determine the payment that a member must pay for service credit means the actuarial value of all costs associated with the enhancement of a member's benefits or eligibility for benefit enhancements, including health insurance supplement payments made by the retirement system. The actuary for the retirement system shall determine the full actuarial value costs and actuarial cost factor tables as provided in KRS 161.400;

(23) "Last annual compensation" means the annual compensation, as defined by subsection (10) of this section and as limited by subsection (9) of this section, earned by the member during the most recent period of contributing service, either consecutive or nonconsecutive, that is sufficient to provide the member with one (1) full year of service credit in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, and which compensation is used in calculating the member's initial retirement allowance, excluding bonuses, retirement incentives, payments for accumulated sick leave authorized by Section 44 of this Act, annual, personal, and compensatory leave, and any other lump-sum payment. For an individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, payments for annual or compensatory leave shall not be included in determining the member's last annual compensation;

(24) "Participant" means a member, as defined by subsection (4) of this section, or an annuitant, as defined by subsection (15) of this section;

(25) "Qualified domestic relations order" means any judgment, decree, or order, including approval of a property settlement agreement, that:

(a) Is issued by a court or administrative agency; and

(b) Relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments, or marital property rights to an alternate payee;and

(26) "Alternate payee" means a spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a participant, who is designated to be paid retirement benefits in a qualified domestic relations order;

(27) "University member" means an individual who becomes a member through employment with an employer specified in subsection (4)(b) and (n) of this section;

(28) "Nonuniversity member" means an individual who becomes a member through employment with an employer specified under subsection (4) of this section, except for those members employed by an employer specified in subsection (4)(b) and (n) of this section;

(29) "Accumulated employer credit" means the employer pay credit deposited to the member's account and regular interest credited on such amounts as provided by Section 43 of this Act; and

(30) "Accumulated account balance" means:

(a) For members who began participating in the system prior to January 1, 2019, the member's accumulated contributions; or

(b) For members who began participating in the system on or after January 1, 2019, in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act, the combined sum of the member's accumulated contributions and the member's accumulated employer credit.

(1) (a) The board of trustees shall designate as actuary a competent person who shall be a fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries or a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He shall be the technical adviser of the board on matters regarding the operation of the funds of the system and shall perform such other duties as are required in connection therewith.

(b) At least once in each five (5) year period, the actuary shall make an actuarial investigation into the actuarial assumptions and funding methods used, including but not limited to mortality, investment rate of return, and service and compensation of the members and beneficiaries of the retirement system, relative to the actuarial assumptions and funding methods previously adopted by the board. The actuarial investigation shall include at a minimum a summary of the changes in actuarial assumptions and funding methods recommended in the investigation and the projected impact of the recommended changes on funding levels, unfunded liabilities, and actuarially recommended contribution rates for employers over a twenty (20) year period.

(c) At least annually the actuary shall make an actuarial valuation of the retirement system. The valuation shall include:

1. A description of the actuarial assumptions used, and the assumptions shall be reasonably related to the experience of the system and represent the actuary's best estimate of anticipated experience;

2. A description of any funding methods utilized or required by state law in the development of the actuarial valuation results;

3. A description of any changes in actuarial assumptions and methods from the previous year's actuarial valuation;

4. The actuarially recommended contribution rate for employers for the upcoming budget periods;

5. A twenty (20) year projection of the funding levels, unfunded liabilities, and actuarially recommended contribution rates for employers based upon the actuarial assumptions, funding methods, and experience of the system as of the valuation date; and

6. A sensitivity analysis that evaluates the impact of changes in system assumptions, including but not limited to the investment return assumption, payroll growth assumption, and medical inflation rates, on employer contribution rates, funding levels, and unfunded liabilities.

(d) On the basis of the results of the valuations, the board of trustees shall make necessary changes in the retirement system within the provisions of law and shall establish recommend the contributions payable by employers and the state within the limits specified in KRS 161.550.

(e) For any change in actuarial assumptions, funding methods, retiree health insurance premiums and subsidies, or any other decisions made by the board that impact system liabilities and actuarially recommended contribution rates for employers and that are not made in conjunction with the actuarial investigation required by paragraph (b) of this subsection, an actuarial analysis shall be completed showing the projected impact of the changes on funding levels, unfunded liabilities, and actuarially recommended contribution rates for employers over a twenty (20) year period.

(2) Actuarial factors and actuarial cost factor tables in use by the retirement system for all purposes shall be determined by the actuary of the retirement system and approved by the board of trustees by resolution and implemented without the necessity of an administrative regulation. The assets of the system shall be valued at market value, or at a modified market value determined by the board to be a prudent measure of asset value.

(3) A copy of each five (5) year actuarial investigation, actuarial analysis, and valuation required by subsection (1) of this section shall be forwarded electronically to the Legislative Research Commission no later than ten (10) days after receipt by the board, and the Legislative Research Commission shall distribute the information received to the committee staff and co-chairs of any committee that has jurisdiction over the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System. The actuarial valuation required by subsection (1)(c) of this section shall be submitted no later than November 15 following the close of the fiscal year.

All of the assets of the retirement system are for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to members and annuitants and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the system. The board of trustees shall be the trustee of all funds of the system and shall have full power and responsibility for administering the funds. It is hereby declared that the restrictions and rights provided herein shall not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment, or repeal. All the assets of the retirement system shall be credited according to the purpose for which they are held to one (1) of the following funds:

(1) The expense fund shall consist of the funds set aside from year to year by the board of trustees to defray the expenses of the administration of the retirement system. Each fiscal year an amount not greater than four percent (4%) of the dividends and interest income earned from investments during the immediate past fiscal year shall be set aside into the expense fund or expended for the administration of the retirement system;

(2) (a) The teachers' savings fund shall consist of:

1. The contributions paid by members of the retirement system into this fund and regular interest assigned by the board of trustees from the guarantee fund or established by Section 43 of this Act, as applicable; and

2. For individuals who become members of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, who are participating in the hybrid cash balance plan, the employer pay credit and regular interest to the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act that is assigned by the board of trustees from the guarantee fund.

(b) A member may not borrow any amount of his or her accumulated account balance contributions to in the teachers' savings this fund, or any regular interest earned thereon.

(c) The accumulated contributions or accumulated account balance of a member which are returned to him upon his withdrawal or paid to his estate or designated beneficiary in the event of his death shall be paid from the teachers' savings fund.

(d) Any accumulated account balance contributions in the teachers' savings fund forfeited by a failure of a teacher or his estate to claim these contributions shall be transferred from this the teachers' savings fund to the guarantee fund.

(e) For an individual who becomes a member of the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, the accumulated account balance contributions of a member in the teachers' savings fund shall be transferred from this the teachers' savings fund to the allowance reserve fund in the event of retirement by reason of service or disability.

(f) For an individual who becomes a member of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, who is participating in the hybrid cash balance plan who elects to annuitize his or her accumulated account balance as prescribed by subsection (7)(a) or (b) of Section 43 of this Act, the member's accumulated account balance shall be transferred to the allowance reserve fund;

(3) The state accumulation fund shall consist of funds paid by employers and appropriated by the state for the purpose of providing annuities and survivor benefits, including any sums appropriated for meeting unfunded liabilities, together with regular interest assigned by the board of trustees from the guarantee fund. At the time of retirement or death of a member there shall be transferred from the state accumulation fund to the allowance reserve fund an amount which together with the sum transferred from the teachers' savings fund will be sufficient to provide the member a retirement allowance and provide for benefits under KRS 161.520 and 161.525. There shall also be transferred from the state accumulation fund to the teachers' savings fund, the amount needed to fund the employer credits required by Section 43 of this Act;

(4) The allowance reserve fund shall be the fund from which shall be paid all retirement allowances and benefits provided under KRS 161.520 and 161.525. In addition, whenever a change in the status of a member results in an obligation on this fund, there shall be transferred to this fund from the teachers' savings fund and the state accumulation fund, the amounts as may be held in those funds for the account or benefit of the member;

(5) (a) Effective January 1, 2019, the medical insurance fund, which is an account established according to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h), shall consist of amounts accumulated for the purpose of providing benefits as provided in KRS 161.675, including:

1. The member contributions required by subsections (1)(a)2. and (1)(b)2. of Section 57 of this Act For individuals who become members before July 1, 2008, one and one-half percent (1.5%) of the gross annual payroll of all members shall be deposited to this fund. Of this amount, three-quarters of a percent (0.75%) shall derive from member contributions as provided by KRS 161.540 and three-quarters of a percent (0.75%) from a state appropriation;

2. The employer contribution required by subsections (1)(a)1.b., (1)(a)2.b., and (3)(a) of Section 63 of this Act For individuals who become members on or after July 1, 2008, two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the gross annual payroll of all members shall be deposited to this fund. Of this amount, one and three-quarters percent (1.75%) shall derive from member contributions as provided by KRS 161.540 and three-quarters of a percent (0.75%) from a state appropriation;

3. Effective July 1, 2010, the member contributions required under KRS 161.540(1)(c);

4. Effective July 1, 2010, local board of education, agency, and organization contributions required under KRS 161.550(3), unless the board of trustees establishes a trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115 for health care purposes, in which case the board may direct those contributions to that trust fund;

3. State appropriations 5. Employer medical insurance fund stabilization contributions as set forth in subsection (2) of Section 63 of this Act KRS 161.550, unless the contributions are made to a trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115 established by the board for this purpose; and

4. 6. Interest income from the investments of the fund from contributions received by the fund under subparagraphs 1. to 3. 5. of this paragraph, and from income earned on those investments.

(b) All claims for benefits under KRS 161.675 shall be paid from this fund or from any trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115 as established by the board for this purpose. Any amounts deposited to the fund that are not required to meet current costs shall be maintained as a reserve in the fund for these benefits. The board shall take the necessary and appropriate steps, including promulgating administrative regulations and procedures to maintain the status of the medical insurance fund as an account subject to 26 U.S.C. sec. 401(h);

(6) The guarantee fund shall be maintained to facilitate the crediting of uniform interest on the amounts of the other funds, except the expense fund, to finance operating expenses directly related to investment management services, and to provide a contingent fund out of which special requirements of any of the other funds may be covered. All income, interest, and dividends derived from the authorized deposits and investments shall be paid into the guarantee fund. Any funds received from gifts and bequests, which the board is hereby authorized to accept and expend without limitation in a manner either expressed by the donor or deemed to be in the best interest of the membership, shall be credited to the guarantee fund. Any funds transferred from the teachers' savings fund by reason of lack of claimant or because of a surplus in any fund and any other moneys whose disposition is not otherwise provided for, shall also be credited to the guarantee fund. The interest allowed by the board of trustees to each of the other funds shall be paid to these funds from the guarantee fund. Any deficit occurring in any fund that would not be automatically covered shall be met by the payments from the guarantee fund to that fund;

(7) The school employee annuity fund shall consist of those funds voluntarily contributed under the provisions of Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code by a retired member of the Teachers' Retirement System with accounts that existed on or after July 1, 1996. The contributions shall not be picked up as provided in KRS 161.540(2). Separate member accounts shall be maintained for each member. The board of trustees may promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A to manage this program;

(8) The supplemental retirement benefit fund shall consist of those funds contributed by the employer for the purpose of constituting a qualified government excess benefit plan as described in Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code for accounts that existed on or after July 1, 1996. The board of trustees shall promulgate administrative regulations pursuant to KRS Chapter 13A to administer this program; and

(9) The life insurance benefit fund shall consist of amounts accumulated for the purpose of providing benefits provided under KRS 161.655. The board of trustees may allocate to this fund a percentage of the employer and state contributions as provided under KRS 161.550. The allocation to this fund will be in an amount that the actuary determines necessary to fund the obligation of providing the benefits provided under KRS 161.655.

(1) No trustee or employee of the board of trustees shall:

(a) (1) Have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gain or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board, except that any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the plans administered by the board or authority;

(b) (2) Directly or indirectly for himself or as an agent for another, use any of the assets of the retirement system in any manner except to make current and necessary payments authorized by the board;

(c) (3) Become an endorser, surety, or obligor for moneys loaned to or borrowed from the board;

(d) (4) Have a contract or agreement with the retirement system, individually or through a business owned by the trustee or the employee;

(e) (5) Use his or her official position with the retirement system to obtain a financial gain or benefit or advantage for himself or herself or a family member;

(f) (6) Use confidential information acquired during his or her tenure with the retirement system to further his or her own economic interests or that of another person; or

(g) (7) Hold outside employment with, or accept compensation from, any person or business with which he or she has involvement as part of his or her official position with the retirement system. The provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit a trustee from serving as an employee of an agency participating in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.

(2) No trustee or employee of the board of trustees, who has served as a trustee or employee of the board on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the Teachers' Retirement System.

(3) (a) No person who is serving as a member of the General Assembly or is a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees, except that any such trustee or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the Teachers' Retirement System.

(b) No person who was serving as a member of the General Assembly on or after July 1, 2017, or was serving as a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board of trustees for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such member or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the Teachers' Retirement System.

(1) The membership of the retirement system shall consist of all new members, all present teachers, and all persons participating under the retirement system as of June 30, 1986, except as provided in Acts 1938 (1st Ex. Sess.), Ch. 1, paragraph 29. The board of trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System shall be responsible for final determination of membership eligibility and may direct employers to take whatever action that may be necessary to correct any error relating to membership.

(2) Service credit shall be forfeited upon withdrawal. If a member again enters service it shall be as a new member, except that any teacher who withdraws by claiming his deposits may repay the system the amount withdrawn plus interest and reestablish his service credit as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) Effective July 1, 1988, and thereafter, an active contributing member of the retirement system with contributing service equal to one (1) year may regain service credit by depositing in the teachers' savings fund the amount withdrawn with interest at the rate to be set by the board of trustees, and computed from the first of the month of withdrawal and including the month of redeposit. Service credit regained pursuant to this subsection on or after January 1, 2019, shall not be used to determine the date the individual purchasing the service became a member of the Teachers' Retirement System.

(4) Effective July 1, 1974, any active contributing member with at least two (2) years of contributing service credit who declined membership as provided in Acts 1938 (1st Ex. Sess.), Ch. 1, paragraph 29, may secure service credit for prior service, and for any subsequent service prior to date of membership, by depositing in the teachers' savings fund contributions for each year of subsequent service prior to date of membership, with interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) compounded annually to the date of deposit.

(5) Membership in the retirement system shall be terminated:

(a) By retirement for service;

(b) By death;

(c) By withdrawal of the member's accumulated account balance contributions;

(d) When a member, having less than five (5) years of Kentucky service is absent from service for more than three (3) consecutive years; or

(e) For persons hired on or after August 1, 2000, when a member is convicted, in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction, of a felony related to his employment as provided in subparagraphs 1. and 2. of this paragraph.

1. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a member hired on or after August 1, 2000, who is convicted, in any state or federal court of competent jurisdiction, of a felony related to his employment shall forfeit rights and benefits earned under the retirement system, except for the return of his accumulated contributions and interest credited on those contributions.

2. The payment of retirement benefits ordered forfeited shall be stayed pending any appeal of the conviction. If the conviction is reversed on final judgment, no retirement benefits shall be forfeited.

Except for paragraph (e) of this subsection, upon termination of member accounts under this subsection, funds in the account shall be transferred to the guarantee fund. Inactive members may apply for refunds of these funds at any time. The terminated service shall be reinstated, if not withdrawn by the member, in the event that the member returns to active contributing service.

(6) In case of withdrawal from service prior to eligibility for retirement, the board of trustees shall on request of the member return all of his accumulated account balance contributions with regular interest , including any payments made by the member to the state accumulation fund, but the member shall have no claim on any contributions made by the state or employer with a view to his retirement, except as provided by Section 43 of this Act, or to contributions made to the medical insurance fund. If the member is eligible for an immediate service retirement allowance as provided in KRS 161.600, no withdrawal and refund shall be permitted, unless the allowance would prohibit the member from qualifying for Social Security benefits or the member elects to withdraw part or all of his service for the purpose of obtaining credit in another retirement plan. Requests for refund of contributions by the member must be filed on forms prescribed by the Teachers' Retirement System and the employer shall be financially responsible for all information that is certified on the prescribed form. A member may not withdraw any part of his or her accumulated account balance in contributions to the retirement system except as provided by this subsection.

(7) Except as provided in KRS 161.520 and 161.525, in case of death prior to retirement, the board of trustees shall pay to the estate of the deceased member, unless a beneficiary was otherwise applicably designated by the deceased member, then to the beneficiary, all of his accumulated account balance contributions, with regular interest , including any payments made by the member to the state accumulation fund, but the estate or beneficiary shall have no claim on any contributions made by the state or employer with a view to the retirement of the member, except as provided by Section 43 of this Act, or to contributions made to the medical insurance fund.

(8) Any active contributing member of the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, the State Police Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement System may use service, under that retirement system for the purpose of meeting the service requirement of subsections (3) and (4) of this section.

Each person, upon becoming a member of the retirement system, shall file a detailed statement as required by the board of trustees and shall designate a primary beneficiary or two (2) or more cobeneficiaries to receive any benefits accruing from the death of the member. A contingent beneficiary may be designated in addition to the primary beneficiary or cobeneficiaries. The member may name more than one (1) contingent beneficiary. Any beneficiary designation made by the member, including the estate should the estate become the beneficiary by default, shall remain in effect until changed by the member on forms prescribed by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, except in the event of subsequent marriage or divorce. Subsequent marriage by the member shall void the primary beneficiary and any cobeneficiary designation, even that of a trust, and the spouse of the member at death shall be considered as the primary beneficiary, unless the member subsequent to marriage designates another beneficiary. A final divorce decree shall terminate an ex-spouse's status as either primary beneficiary, cobeneficiary, or contingent beneficiary, unless subsequent to divorce the member redesignates the former spouse as primary beneficiary, cobeneficiary, or contingent beneficiary. To the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, a trust may be designated as beneficiary for receipt of a member's accumulated account balance in contributions to the retirement system as provided under KRS 161.470(7). A final divorce decree shall not terminate the designation of a trust as beneficiary regardless of who is designated as beneficiary of the trust. In the event that a member fails to designate a beneficiary, or all designated beneficiaries predecease the member, the member's estate shall be deemed to be the beneficiary. Members may designate as beneficiaries only presently identifiable and existing individuals, or trusts where otherwise permitted, without contingency instructions, on forms prescribed by the retirement system. The provisions of this section shall be retroactive as they relate to election of beneficiaries by members still in active status on the effective date of this section. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any account from which a member is drawing a retirement allowance or to the life insurance benefit available under KRS 161.655.

(1) At the close of each fiscal year, the retirement system shall add service credit to the account of each member who made contributions to his or her account during the year. Members shall be entitled to a full year of service credit if their total paid days were not less than one hundred eighty (180) days of a one hundred eighty-five (185) day contract for a regular school or fiscal year. In the event an individual who became a member prior to January 1, 2019, is paid for less than one hundred eighty (180) days, the member may purchase credit according to administrative regulations established by the board of trustees. In no case shall more than one (1) year of service be credited for all service performed in one (1) fiscal year. Members who complete their employment contract prior to the close of a fiscal year and elect to retire prior to the close of a fiscal year shall have their service credit reduced by eight percent (8%) for each calendar month that the retirement becomes effective prior to July 1.

(2) Members who are employed and paid for less than the number of days required in their normal employment year shall be entitled to pro rata service credit for the fractional service. Such credit shall be based upon the number of days employed and the number of days in the member's annual employment agreement or normal employment year.

(3) Service credit may not exceed the ratio between the school or fiscal year and the number of months or fraction of a month the member is employed during that year.

(4) No service credit shall be granted in the Teachers' Retirement System for service that has been or will be used in qualifying for annuity benefit payments from another retirement system financed wholly or in part by public funds.

(1) An active contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System may receive service credit for active service rendered in the uniformed services of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, subject to the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, the provisions of this section as applicable, and the to administrative regulations promulgated by the board of trustees. Military service includes service in the uniformed services that occurs before the employment of a member in a position covered by the retirement system or where a member leaves covered employment without giving advance written or verbal notice of performing duty in the uniformed services. Service in the uniformed services also includes uniformed service that occurs after employment in a position covered by the retirement system where the member has given advance written or verbal notice of performing duty in the uniformed services and the member returns directly from uniformed services to covered employment. Military service may be credited only if discharge was honorable or was not terminated upon the occurrence of any of the events listed in 38 U.S.C. sec. 4304. Service shall be considered as Kentucky teaching service, except that service may not be used for meeting the service requirements set forth in KRS 161.600(1)(a) or 161.661(1) unless the service occurred after the member gave written or verbal notice of performing duty in the uniformed services and the member returned directly from uniformed services to covered employment. A maximum of six (6) years of military service may be credited, but in no case a greater number of years than the actual years of contributing service in Kentucky.

(2) No credit shall be granted for military service which has been or will be used in qualifying for annuity benefit payments from another retirement system financed wholly or in part by public funds.

(3) A member having twenty (20) years or more of active duty in the military service, and who is qualified for regular federal retirement benefits based on this military service, may not receive credit for any military service in the Teachers' Retirement System. This subsection shall apply to service presented for credit on July 1, 1975, and after this date.

(4) (a) An individual who became a member prior to January 1, 2019, who desires to receive receiving retirement credit for active duty in the armed services of the United States prior to employment in a position covered by the retirement system or where the member leaves covered employment without giving advance written or verbal notice of performing duty in the uniformed services shall pay to the retirement system the full actuarial cost of the service credit purchased as provided under KRS 161.220(22). These contributions shall not be picked up, as described in KRS 161.540(2). In purchasing retirement credit for active duty in the armed services, the latest years of service shall be considered first in allowing credit toward retirement. The board of trustees shall adopt a table of actuarial factors to be used in calculating the amount of contribution required for crediting this service.

(b) If military service occurred after the member gave written or verbal notice of performing duty in the uniformed services and the member returns directly from uniformed services to covered employment, the member shall contribute the regular member contribution required by KRS 161.540. The member may make the payment of delayed contributions in a lump sum payment or in installments not to exceed five (5) years beginning with the member's date of reemployment. Interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum shall be charged for delayed contributions beginning with the member's date of reemployment until paid. Members participating in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act who make the regular member contribution required by this paragraph, shall receive employer credits for the period of service purchased.

(5) An active contributing member of the Teachers' Retirement System who became a member of the system prior to January 1, 2019, may receive service credit for service in the military reserves of the United States or the National Guard. The member may purchase one (1) month of service for each six (6) months of service in the reserves or the National Guard. Notwithstanding any other statute, regulation, or policy to the contrary, the system shall provide a member, upon request, the estimated actuarial cost of the National Guard or military reserves service purchase based upon the information available at the time of the request. The member shall be entitled to enter into a contract with the system at the time of the request to purchase the National Guard or military reserve service by paying to the system the estimated actuarial cost, either by installments or in lump sum. The member shall pay the full actuarial cost of this service in the military reserves or the National Guard as provided in KRS 161.220(22). Service in the military reserves or the National Guard shall be treated as service earned prior to participation in the system and shall not be used for meeting the service requirements set forth in KRS 161.600(1)(a) or 161.661(1). The payment shall not be picked up by the employer, as described in KRS 161.540(2).

(1) For the purposes of this section, "out-of-state service" shall mean service in any state in a comparable position on a full-time basis, which would be covered if in Kentucky.

(2) (a) An active contributing member who has been a contributing member of the retirement system for at least one (1) full scholastic year subsequent to the latest out-of-state service, may present for credit service rendered out of state, not to exceed ten (10) years actually taught as a certified or licensed teacher. All members who elect to purchase this service shall pay to the retirement system the full actuarial cost as provided under KRS 161.220(22). For each year of which the retirement system shall accept payment, one (1) year of service credit shall be given. For members who purchased this service under the cost formula as it existed under this subsection on June 30, 2005, this credit may not be used to meet the service requirements of KRS 161.525, 161.600, or 161.661, except as provided in subsection (2)(c) of this section. No credit shall be granted for service which has been or will be used in qualifying for annuity benefit payments from another retirement system financed wholly or in part by public funds.

(b) A member of the retirement system having teaching service in the elementary or secondary schools operated by the United States overseas or in this country, or in a public college or university in Kentucky, not included in the Teachers' Retirement System of the State of Kentucky, may present this service for credit in the retirement system on the same basis as provided above for out-of- state service credit; however, no service may be presented which shall be used as a basis for retirement benefits in any program supported wholly or in part by a public institution or governmental agency. This service when added to service credited under subsection (2)(a) of this section shall not exceed a total of ten (10) years' service credit.

(c) A member having service referred to in subsection (2)(a) or (2)(b) of this section who purchased this service under the cost formula as it existed under those subsections on June 30, 2005, may elect to use this service for meeting the requirements of KRS 161.600(1)(c) by making an additional contribution to the state accumulation fund equal to a member contribution rate of eight percent (8%) for each year so used. These payments shall not be picked up as described in KRS 161.540(2). The salary base to be used in determining this additional contribution shall be the final average salary which is used in calculating the member's regular retirement annuity.

(3) Members entering the Teachers' Retirement System for the first time, July 1, 1976, and after this date, shall not receive credit for service defined in subsections (2)(a) or (2)(b) of this section in excess of one (1) year of credit for each two (2) years of Kentucky service in a covered position or ten (10) years, whichever is the lesser number.

(4) A member, having completed service as a volunteer in the Kentucky Peace Corps created by KRS 154.1-720, may purchase service credit for the time served in the corps on the same basis as provided in this section for the purchase of out-of-state service credit. A member, having completed service as a federal Peace Corps volunteer, may purchase up to two (2) years of service credit for time served in the Peace Corps on the same basis as provided in this section for the purchase of out-of- state service credit.

(5) Service purchased under this section by members who at the time of purchase are employed by employers other than those described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) shall be credited, as described in KRS 161.620(1)(a) and (b), with a retirement factor of two and one-half percent (2.5%) for each year of service that was originally performed on or after July 1, 1983, and two percent (2.0%) for each year of service performed before July 1, 1983. Service purchased under this section by members who at the time of purchase are employed by employers described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) shall be credited, as described in KRS 161.620(1)(a), with a retirement factor of two percent (2.0%) for each year of service, regardless of when the service was performed.

(6) Effective January 1, 2019, this section does not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019.

Upon the death of an active contributing member or upon the death of a member retired for disability, except as provided in KRS 161.661(6), the survivors of the deceased member in the following named order, may elect to receive a survivor's benefit payable as follows:

(1) Where there is a surviving widow or widower who is named as the primary beneficiary of the member's retirement account, the benefit shall be:

(a) One hundred eighty dollars ($180) per month with no restriction on other income;

(b) Two hundred forty dollars ($240) per month when the surviving widow or widower's total income from all sources does not exceed six thousand six hundred dollars ($6,600) per year or five hundred fifty dollars ($550) per month; or

(c) If the deceased member has a minimum of ten (10) years of service credit with the Teachers' Retirement System, the surviving widow or widower may apply for an annuity actuarially equivalent to the annuity that would have been paid to the deceased member when eligibility conditions were met. Eligibility for payments would begin at the time the age of the deceased member would have met the requirements of KRS 161.600(1) or subsection (6) of Section 43 of this Act, as applicable. In exercising this right, the surviving widow or widower shall be entitled to receive an annuity for life, except as provided in subsection (6) of this section. This subsection applies to surviving spouses of members who die on or after July 1, 1978. A surviving widow or widower of a member who dies after July 1, 1978, shall be eligible for benefit payments provided under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection until they begin receiving payments under this provision;

(2) (a) Where there are surviving unmarried children under age eighteen (18) or under age nineteen (19) if a full-time student in high school, the benefit shall be two hundred dollars ($200) per month in the case of one (1) child, three hundred forty dollars ($340) per month in the case of two (2) children, four hundred dollars ($400) per month in the case of three (3) children, and four hundred forty dollars ($440) per month in the case of four (4) or more children. Benefits under this subsection shall apply in addition to benefits which may be payable under subsections (1) and (3) of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the surviving spouse may elect to receive a lump-sum refund of the member's accumulated account balance in lieu of the survivorship benefits payable under this subsection and subsection (1) of this section only if the surviving spouse is designated as the primary beneficiary and:

1. Is a biological or adoptive parent of all children eligible for a benefit under this subsection and has not had his or her parental rights terminated; or

2. Has been appointed as legal guardian of all of the children eligible under paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(c) To elect a lump-sum refund of the member's accumulated account balance under paragraph (b) of this subsection, the surviving spouse who is designated as the primary beneficiary must sign a waiver on forms prescribed by the retirement system of his or her rights and the member's children's rights to the survivorship benefits payable under this subsection and subsection (1) of this section. The surviving spouse shall not waive the survivorship benefits available under this subsection or subsections (1) and (6) of this section if any of the member's children have attained age eighteen (18) or older unless all of those children consent in writing on forms prescribed by the retirement system to waive their survivorship benefits available under this subsection;

(3) (a) Where the survivor is a child age eighteen (18) or older whose mental or physical condition is sufficient to cause his dependency on the deceased member at the time of the member's death, the benefit shall be two hundred dollars ($200) per month, payable for the life of the child or until the time as the mental or physical condition creating the dependency no longer exists or the child marries. The mental or physical condition of the adult child shall be revealed by a competent examination by a licensed physician and shall be approved by a majority of a medical review committee as defined in KRS 161.661(14). Benefits under this subsection shall apply in addition to benefits which may be payable under subsections (1) and (2) of this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the surviving spouse shall not elect to receive a lump-sum refund of the member's accumulated account balance in lieu of the survivorship benefits payable under this subsection and subsection (1) of this section unless:

1. The surviving spouse is designated as the primary beneficiary;

2. The surviving spouse has been appointed by the court as guardian, conservator, or other fiduciary with sufficient general or specific authority to waive the survivorship benefits available under this subsection for any child or children age eighteen (18) or older who have been adjudicated incompetent to make decisions on their own behalf by a court of law; and

3. Any child or children age eighteen (18) or older who are mentally competent to make decisions on their own behalf as attested to by two (2) physicians' statements consent in writing on forms prescribed by the retirement system to waive their survivorship benefits available under this subsection.

(c) If eligible to elect a lump-sum refund of the member's accumulated account balance, the surviving spouse shall sign a waiver on forms prescribed by the retirement system of his or her rights and the member's children's rights to the survivorship benefits payable under this subsection and subsections (1) and (2) of this section;

(4) Where the sole eligible survivors are dependent parents aged sixty-five (65) or over, the benefit shall be two hundred dollars ($200) per month for one (1) parent or two hundred ninety dollars ($290) per month for two (2) parents. Dependency of a parent shall be established as of the date of the death of the member;

(5) Where the sole eligible survivor is a dependent brother or sister, the benefit shall be one hundred sixty five dollars ($165) per month. In order to qualify the brother or sister must have been a resident of the deceased member's household for at least one (1) full year prior to the member's death or must have been receiving care in a hospital, nursing home, or other institution at the member's expense for same period;

(6) The benefit to a child as defined in subsection (2) of this section shall terminate upon the attainment of age eighteen (18) or upon reaching age nineteen (19), if a full-time student in high school, or upon marriage, except that benefits shall continue until the attainment of age twenty-three (23) for an unmarried child who is a full-time student in a recognized educational program beyond the high school level. The benefit to a widow, widower, dependent parent, or dependent brother or sister or dependent child age eighteen (18) or older shall terminate upon marriage, or upon termination of the condition creating the dependency;

(7) The board of trustees shall be the sole judge of eligibility or dependency of any beneficiary, and may require formal application or information relating to eligibility or dependency, including proof of annual income satisfactory to the board. The board of trustees may subpoena records and individuals whenever it deems this action necessary;

(8) No payment of benefits shall be made unless the board of trustees authorizes the payment. The board shall promulgate administrative regulations for the administration of the provisions in this section and in every case the decision of the board of trustees shall be final as to eligibility, dependency, or disability, and the amount of benefits payable;

(9) In the event that there are no eligible survivors as defined in subsections (1) to (5) of this section, or in the event that the surviving spouse elects not to receive survivorship benefits on his or her own behalf or on behalf of any of the member's children as permitted under subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the board of trustees shall pay to the estate or the designated beneficiaries of the deceased member a refund of his accumulated account balance contributions as provided in KRS 161.470(7). If the benefits paid or payable under subsections (1) to (5) of this section and KRS 161.661 shall amount to a sum less than the member's accumulated account balance contributions at the time of death, the board of trustees shall pay to the estate or designated beneficiaries of the deceased member the balance of the accumulated account balance contributions;

(10) Any person who is receiving benefits and becomes disqualified from receiving those benefits under this section shall immediately notify the Teachers' Retirement System of this disqualification in writing and shall return all benefits paid after the date of disqualification. Failure to comply with these provisions shall create an indebtedness of that person to the Teachers' Retirement System. Interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum shall be charged if the debt is not repaid within sixty (60) days after the date of disqualification. Failure to repay this debt creates a lien in favor of the Teachers' Retirement System upon all property of the person who improperly receives benefits and does not repay those benefits; and

(11) Benefits under subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall apply to a child who is a legally adopted survivor at the time of the death of the member. This provision shall be retroactive to include a child who was born after January 1, 1990, and is a legally adopted survivor of a member whose death occurred prior to July 15, 2008.

Upon the death of a member retired for disability who had a minimum of twenty-seven (27) years of service at the time of death, except as provided in KRS 161.661(6), the spouse, if named as the primary beneficiary of the member's account, shall be entitled to elect, in lieu of a refund of the member's account, an annuity actuarially equivalent to the annuity that would have been paid to the deceased member had retirement for service been effective on the day immediately preceding the member's death. This option shall be available only during the entitlement period described under KRS 161.661(3) and (4) prior to the recalculation of the member's disability allowance under KRS 161.661(5). In selecting this right, the spouse shall be limited to selecting an option providing a straight life annuity with refundable balance or a term certain option. There shall be a monthly minimum allowance of three hundred dollars ($300) as the basic straight life annuity. This section applies to surviving spouses of members who were receiving benefit payments under KRS 161.520 as of June 30, 1988, and to surviving spouses of members who die on or after July 1, 1984, except that the member shall have been retired for disability with a minimum of thirty (30) years of service if either of these two (2) conditions were met prior to July 1, 1990. This section does not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019.

(1) Upon death of a member in active contributing status at the time of death, who was eligible to retire by reason of service, the spouse, if named as the primary beneficiary of the member's retirement account, or in the absence of an eligible spouse a legal dependent of the member, if named as the primary beneficiary, shall be entitled to elect, in lieu of a refund of the member's accumulated account balance or benefits provided in KRS 161.520, an annuity actuarially equivalent at the attained age of the beneficiary to the annuity that would have been paid to the deceased member had retirement been effective on the day immediately preceding the member's death. Under the provisions of KRS 61.680, benefits shall be processed as if the member retired for service. In exercising this right the spouse or legal dependent shall be limited to selecting an option providing either a straight life annuity with refundable balance or a term certain option. A spouse may receive the annuity provided by this section at the same time as children are qualifying for survivors' benefits under the provisions of KRS 161.520; however, a legal dependent, other than a spouse, may not receive these payments if children have qualified for benefits under that section.

(2) A spouse qualifying for an annuity under subsection (1) of this section may defer the payments in order to reduce the actuarial discounts to be applied due to age.

(3) Upon death of a member in active contributing status at the time of his death, who had a minimum of twenty-seven (27) years of service, the spouse, if named as the primary beneficiary of the member's account shall be entitled to a monthly minimum allowance of three hundred dollars ($300) as the basic straight life annuity. This provision applies to surviving spouses of members who were receiving benefit payments under KRS 161.520 as of June 30, 1986, and to surviving spouses of members who die on or after July 1, 1986. This subsection does not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019.

(1) (a) Effective January 1, 2019 July 1, 1988 , each individual who is a contributing nonuniversity first becomes a memberbefore July 1, 2008 , shall contribute to the retirement system twelve and eight hundred fifty-five thousandths percent (12.855%) nine and eight hundred fifty-five thousandths percent (9.855%) of annual compensation, of which:

1. Nine and one hundred five thousandths percent (9.105%) of annual compensation shall be used to fund pension benefits; and

2. Three and three-quarters percent (3.75%) of annual compensation shall be used to fund retiree health benefits , except that university employees who participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall contribute eight and three hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (8.375%) of annual compensation.

(b) Effective January 1, 2019, each individual who is a contributing university member, shall contribute to the retirement system ten and four-tenths percent (10.4%) of annual compensation, of which:

1. Seven and six hundred twenty-five thousandths percent (7.625%) of annual compensation shall be used to fund pension benefits; and

2. Two and seven hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (2.775%) of annual compensation shall be used to fund retiree health benefits. Each individual who first becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, shall contribute to the retirement system ten and eight hundred fifty-five thousandths percent (10.855%) of annual compensation, except that university employees who participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall contribute nine and three hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (9.375%) of annual compensation.

(c) 1. Effective July 1, 2010, members shall, in addition to those contributions required under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subsection, make a contribution to the medical insurance fund established under KRS 161.420(5) according to the following schedule:

a. For each individual who first became a member of the retirement system before July 1, 2008, a total amount of annual compensation equal to and effective on:

b. For each individual who first becomes a member of the retirement system on or after July 1, 2008, a total amount of annual compensation equal to and effective on:

2. Notwithstanding subparagraph 1. of this paragraph, members employed by any employer identified in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) shall contribute, as a percentage of their total annual compensation, the actuarial equivalent of the percentage contributed by members under subparagraph 1. of this paragraph, not to exceed the percentages established under the schedules set forth in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph. The actuarial equivalent to be contributed under this subsection shall be determined by the retirement system's actuary. These contributions shall be in lieu of those contributions required under subparagraph 1. of this paragraph.

3. When the medical insurance fund established under KRS 161.420(5) achieves a sufficient prefunded status as determined by the retirement system's actuary, the board of trustees shall recommend to the General Assembly that the contributions required under paragraph subparagraphs (a)2. or (b)2. of this subsection 1. and 2. of this paragraph shall, in an actuarially accountable manner, be either decreased, suspended, or eliminated.

(d) Payments authorized by statute that are made to retiring members, who became members of the system before July 1, 2008, for not more than sixty (60) days of unused accrued annual leave shall be considered as part of the member's annual compensation, and shall be used only for the member's final year of active service. The contribution of members shall not exceed these applicable percentages on annual compensation. When a member retires, if it is determined that he has made contributions on a salary in excess of the amount to be included for the purpose of calculating his final average salary, any excess contribution shall be refunded to him in a lump sum at the time of the payment of his first retirement allowance. In the event a member is awarded a court-ordered back salary payment the employer shall deduct and remit the member contribution on the salary payment, plus interest to be paid by the employer, to the retirement system unless otherwise specified by the court order.

(2) Each public board, institution, or agency listed in KRS 161.220(4) shall, solely for the purpose of compliance with Section 414(h) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, pick up the member contributions required by this section for all compensation earned after August 1, 1982, and the contributions so picked up shall be treated as employer contributions in determining tax treatment under the United States Internal Revenue Code and KRS 141.010(10). The picked-up member contribution shall satisfy all obligations to the retirement system satisfied prior to August 1, 1982, by the member contribution, and the picked-up member contribution shall be in lieu of a member contribution. Each employer shall pay these picked-up member contributions from the same source of funds which is used to pay earnings to the member. The member shall have no option to receive the contributed amounts directly instead of having them paid by the employer to the system. Member contributions picked-up after August 1, 1982, shall be treated for all purposes of KRS 161.220 to 161.714 in the same manner and to the same extent as member contributions made prior to August 1, 1982.

(1) (a) Members may make contributions and receive service credit for substitute, part-time, or any service other than regular full-time teaching as provided in the administrative regulations of the board of trustees if contributions were not otherwise made as a result of the service. This paragraph does not apply to members who retired on or after January 1, 2019, and are reemployed on or after January 1, 2019.

(b) Members placed on leave of absence during a period of full-time employment as defined in KRS 161.220(21) may make contributions and receive service credit for this leave only if contributions are made by the end of the fiscal year next succeeding the year in which the leave was effective as provided in administrative regulations promulgated by the board of trustees. Contributions permitted after August 1, 1982, shall not be picked-up pursuant to KRS 161.540(2).

(2) Active contributing members of the Teachers' Retirement System, or former members who are currently participating in a state-administered retirement system, who were granted leaves of absence during a period of full-time employment as defined in KRS 161.220(21) since July 1, 1964, for reasons of health as defined under the Federal Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, 29 U.S.C. secs. 2601 et seq., child rearing, or to improve their educational qualifications, and did not purchase the leave of absence as provided in subsection (1) of this section may obtain credit for the leave of absence as provided under the administrative regulations of the board of trustees and under the following conditions:

(a) The leave of absence shall be verified by a copy of the board of education minutes which granted the leave of absence or by other documentation that was generated contemporaneously with the leave that is determined by the retirement system to reasonably establish that a leave of absence was granted; and

(b) The member shall contribute the required percentage based on the salary received for the year immediately preceding the leave of absence plus interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) compounded annually from the beginning of the school year following the year of the leave of absence, and by depositing in the state accumulation fund an amount equal to this total.

(c) The member shall receive credit for no more than two (2) years under the provisions of this subsection.

(3) Contributions permitted under this section after August 1, 1982, shall not be picked- up pursuant to KRS 161.540(2).

(4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, purchase of service credit under subsection (2) of this section:

(a) For individuals who become members on or after July 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2019, shall be purchasable only at the full actuarial cost; and

(b) Shall not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019.

On or after August 1, 1998, a member of the Teachers' Retirement System in active contributing status who has a minimum of twenty (20) years of service credit may purchase up to a maximum of five (5) years of service credit that is not otherwise purchasable under any of the provisions of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 and that meets the definition of nonqualified service as provided in Section 1526 of the Federal Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. The member shall pay the full actuarial cost of the service credit as provided in KRS 161.220(22). The payment shall not be picked up by the employer as described in KRS 161.540(2), and the member's payment shall be credited to the member's contribution account and shall be considered accumulated contributions of the member. Payment by the member may be by lump sum or by installment payments as provided in KRS 161.597. Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary, the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall recognize nonqualified service credit purchased with another retirement system only to the extent that the member had an equivalent number of full months of active employment in the position covered by the other retirement system during the period that the nonqualified service was purchased. This section shall not apply to:

(1) Individuals who become members on or after July 1, 2008, but prior to January 1, 2019, except that a teacher of a local school board may purchase up to ten (10) months of service under this section if the teacher is retiring and has completed the prior school year with at least twenty-six (26) years and two (2) months of service but less than twenty-seven (27) years of service; and

(2) Individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019.

An individual who became a member of the retirement system prior to January 1, 2019, who has having service as a Kentucky legislator which is not credited by any retirement system administered by the Commonwealth of Kentucky may present such service, not to exceed four (4) years, for credit in the retirement system by paying the full actuarial cost of the service as determined by the system actuary. The member may purchase all or part of his service as a legislator, but no less than one (1) year of service. The entire payment shall be placed in the teachers' saving fund.

An individual who became a member of the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, who is in an active contributing status with the system, and who was formerly employed in a regional community service program for mental health and individuals with an intellectual disability, organized and operated under the provisions of KRS 210.370 to 210.480, which does not participate in a state-administered retirement system, may obtain credit for the period of his service in the regional community program for mental health and individuals with an intellectual disability by paying to the Teachers' Retirement System the full actuarial cost of the service credit purchased, as provided in KRS 161.220(22). The service credit purchased may not be used for meeting the service requirements set forth in KRS 161.600(1)(a) or 161.661(1). The payment shall not be picked up, as described in KRS 161.540(2), and the entire payment shall be placed in the teachers' savings fund.

An individual who became a member of the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, who is in an active contributing status with the system, and who was formerly employed by a Federal Head Start agency, operated under 42 U.S.C. secs. 9831 et seq., which does not participate in a state-administered retirement system, may obtain credit for the period of the member's service in the Head Start program by purchasing this service credit under the same conditions that out-of-state service credit may be purchased under KRS 161.515. The service credit purchased may not be used for meeting the service requirements set forth in KRS 161.600(1)(a) or 161.661(1). Payment for the service credit purchased may be made in installments in lieu of a lump-sum payment. The payment shall not be picked up, as described in KRS 161.540(2), and the entire payment shall be placed in the teachers' savings fund.

(1) (a) Beginning with July 1, Effective July 1, 2020, and for each fiscal year occurring thereafter, each employer, except as provided under KRS 161.555, shall contribute annually to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System a base permanent employer contribution amount equal to:

1. Thirteen and one hundred five thousandths percent (13.105%) of the total annual compensation of nonuniversity members it employs, of which:

a. Twelve and three hundred fifty-five thousandths percent (12.355%) of the total annual compensation shall be used to fund pension and life insurance benefits; that contributed by members of the retirement system it employs less the amount contributed by employees under KRS 161.540(1)(c), plus an additional three and one-fourths percent (3.25%) of the total of salaries of members of the retirement system it employs to discharge the system's unfunded obligations with interest assumed by the state and

b. Three-quarters of a percent (0.75%) of annual compensation shall be used to provide funding to the medical insurance fund as provided under KRS 161.420(5). If the board of trustees establishes a trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115, the board may deposit the employer contribution provided in this subparagraph dedicated to retiree health in that trust fund. ; and

2. Thirteen and sixty-five hundredths percent (13.65%) of the total annual compensation of university members of the retirement system it employs, of which:

a. Ten and eight hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (10.875%) of the total annual compensation shall be used to fund pension and life insurance benefits; and

b. Two and seven hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (2.775%) of annual compensation shall be used to provide funding to the medical insurance fund as provided under subsection (5) of Section 47 of this Act. If the board of trustees establishes a trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115, the board may deposit the employer contribution provided in this subparagraph in that trust fund.

(b) Effective July 1, 2020, and for each year thereafter, each employer shall pay the additional contributions needed to fund the Teachers' Retirement System pension fund and life insurance fund on an actuarially sound basis as determined by the system's actuarial valuation completed in accordance with Section 46 of this Act and as specified by this section. The amount payable under the provisions of this paragraph shall:

1. Be in addition to the amounts provided under paragraph (a)1.a. and (a)2.a. of this subsection;

2. Not include the cost or funding of benefits established by KRS 161.553; and

3. Shall be prorated to each employer based upon the individual employer's average percentage of the total compensation reported by all employers in the system in fiscal years 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017, except that the amount shall be paid by state appropriation only for those employers who cover memberships specified by subsection (4)(a) of Section 45 of this Act.

(c) The contributions payable under paragraphs (a)1.a., (a)2.a., and (b) of this subsection by employers and the state shall be equal to the sum of the "normal cost" contribution and the "actuarially accrued liability contribution," except that the minimum contribution to fund pension and life insurance benefits shall not be less than the combined employer contribution to fund pension and life insurance benefits specified by paragraph (a) of this subsection and subsection (3) of this section.

(d) For purposes of this subsection, the normal cost contribution shall be computed as a percentage of payroll and shall be an annual amount that is sufficient when combined with employee contributions to fund pension and life insurance benefits earned during the year, including costs for members participating in the hybrid cash balance plan.

(e) For purposes of this subsection, the actuarially accrued liability contribution shall be an annual amount that is sufficient to amortize the total unfunded actuarially accrued liability over a closed period of thirty (30) years using:

1. The level percentage of payroll amortization method in the 2018 actuarial valuation with a payroll growth assumption of two and six hundred twenty-five thousandths percent (2.625%);

2. The level percentage of payroll amortization method in the 2019 actuarial valuation with a payroll growth assumption of one and seventy-five hundredths percent (1.75%);

3. The level percentage of payroll amortization method in the 2020 actuarial valuation with a payroll growth assumption of eight hundred seventy-five thousandths percent (0.875%); and

4. The level dollar amortization method in the 2021 actuarial valuation and for each valuation occurring thereafter.

The amortization period shall be reset to a new thirty (30) year closed period beginning with the 2018 actuarial valuation.

(f) Effective with the 2018 actuarial valuation, which determines the employer rates payable on or after July 1, 2020, the employer contributions computed under this section shall be determined using:

1. The entry age normal cost funding method;

2. An asset smoothing method that smooths gains and losses over a five (5) year period; and

3. Other funding methods and assumptions established by the board in accordance with Section 46 of this Act.

(2) In addition to the required contributions in subsection (1) of this section, the state shall contribute annually to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System a percentage of the total salaries of the state-funded and federally funded members it employs to pay the cost of health insurance coverage for retirees who are not eligible for Medicare and who retire on or after July 1, 2010, less the amounts that are otherwise required to be paid by the retirees under KRS 161.675. The Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may also request an additional amount necessary to ensure payment of medical insurance costs through fiscal year 2015-2016 which shall not be subject to the limitations of paragraph (c) of this subsection. The board shall deposit funds in the medical insurance fund unless the board of trustees has established a trust fund under 26 U.S.C. sec. 115 for this purpose. In this case, the board may deposit the employer contribution in that trust fund. This contribution shall be known as the state medical insurance fund stabilization contribution. The percentage to be contributed by the state under this subsection:

(a) Shall be determined by the retirement system's actuary for each biennial budget period;

(b) May be suspended or adjusted by the General Assembly if in its judgment the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands; and

(c) Shall not exceed the lesser of the actual benefit cost for retirees not eligible for Medicare who retire on or after July 1, 2010, or the amount contributed by employers under subsection (3) of this section.

(3) Effective July 1, 2010, Effective January 1, 2019, all employers who employ nonuniversity members local boards of education, agencies, and organizations identified in KRS 161.220(4), with the exception of those institutions identified under paragraphs (b) and (n) of KRS 161.220(4), shall make a contribution for each payroll on behalf of their active employees who participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System in an amount equal to:

(a) Three percent (3%) the percentage of payroll of those active employees. The contribution specified by this paragraph that is paid on or after January 1, 2019, shall be used to fund retiree health benefits; and

(b) Two percent (2%) of payroll for those members who participate in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act. The amount of funding provided by this paragraph shall be used to offset any additional costs paid under subsection (1)(b) of this section. , according to the schedule as follows:

(4) Institutions identified under KRS 161.220(4)(b) and (n) shall make a contribution for each payroll on behalf of their active employees who participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System of an amount equal to a percentage of these employees' payroll that is actuarially equivalent to the percentage contributed by local boards of education, agencies, and organizations identified under subsection

(3) of this section, not to exceed the percentages established under the schedule set forth in subsection (3) of this section. The actuarial equivalent to be contributed under this subsection shall be determined by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System's actuary.

(5) When the medical insurance fund established under KRS 161.420(5) achieves a sufficient prefunded status as determined by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System's actuary, the board of trustees shall recommend to the General Assembly that the contributions required under subsections (3) and (4) of this section shall, in an actuarially accountable manner, be either decreased, suspended, or eliminated.

(6) Each employer shall remit the required employer contributions to the retirement system under the terms and conditions specified for member contributions under KRS 161.560. The state shall provide annual appropriations based upon estimated funds needed to meet the requirements of KRS 161.155; 161.168; 161.507(4); 161.515; 161.545; 161.553; 161.605; 161.612; and 161.620(1) , (3), (5), (6), and (7). In the event an annual appropriation for the amounts specified by subsection (1)(a)1. of this section is less than the amount of these requirements, the state shall make up the deficit in the next biennium budget appropriation to the retirement system. Employer contributions to the retirement system are for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to members and annuitants and these contributions shall be considered deferred compensation to the members.

(1) Eligibility to participate in the optional retirement plan shall be determined by the board of regents of each of the state public postsecondary education institutions identified in KRS 161.220(4)(b). The employees of these institutions of higher education who are initially employed on or after the implementation date of the optional retirement plan may make an election to participate in the optional retirement plan within thirty (30) days after their employment date. This election shall be irrevocable except as otherwise provided in this subsection. No member of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System who terminates employment and is subsequently reemployed by the same or another public postsecondary education institution which participates in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may be eligible to elect to participate in the optional retirement plan unless the date of reemployment is at least six (6) months after the date of termination. All elections made under this subsection shall be in writing and shall be filed with the appropriate officer of the employer institution. Persons who originally elected to participate in the optional retirement plan may later change their elections only as follows:

(a) Any person otherwise eligible for membership in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may irrevocably elect one (1) time during his or her lifetime to change his or her election and to prospectively participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System. This election to change from the optional retirement plan to Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall be effective beginning on the first day of the first month immediately following the date that written application for the election is received in the retirement system's office on forms prescribed by the system. Any person exercising this election shall not be entitled to purchase as service credit in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System any prior service with his or her postsecondary education institution employer;

(b) Any person otherwise eligible for membership in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System who previously elected to participate in the optional retirement plan may irrevocably elect one (1) time within his or her first six (6) years and six (6) months of continuous service in any one (1) or more of the institutions identified in KRS 161.220(4)(b), to change his or her election and to prospectively participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and also become eligible to purchase as service credit his or her prior service with his or her postsecondary education employer. This election to change from the optional retirement plan to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall be effective beginning on the first day of the first month immediately following the date that written application for the election is received in the retirement system's office on forms prescribed by the retirement system. Persons electing to change from the optional retirement plan to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may purchase service credit only for their prior years of service for a postsecondary education institution identified in KRS 161.220(4)(b) during which they participated in the optional retirement plan. The election to purchase prior service as service credit shall be received in the retirement system's office on forms prescribed by the retirement system within the six (6) year and six (6) month period provided to make the election to begin participation in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System. The cost of purchasing this service shall be calculated by adding both the employer and member contributions that would have been paid to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System had the individual purchasing this service participated in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System instead of the optional retirement plan, less the amount contributed to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System by the postsecondary education institution as provided by KRS 161.569(5), or KRS 161.569(5)(a)2. as it existed on June 30, 2007. Interest at Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System's actuarially assumed rate shall be paid on these net contributions by the person electing to change to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System from the optional retirement plan. These payments shall not be picked up as described in KRS 161.540(2). Persons who elect to change from the optional retirement plan to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may elect to purchase as service credit, beginning with the most recent years, any portion of their prior years of service during which time they participated in the optional retirement plan, or none of those years. Members may purchase service credit for prior years of service by rolling over funds from their optional retirement plan account as provided under KRS 161.5461, or by rolling over or transferring other plan funds as permitted by the rules set forth in the Internal Revenue Code, or by making an after-tax lump-sum cash payment. This paragraph does not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019;

(c) Effective July 1, 2008, persons otherwise eligible for membership in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may irrevocably elect one (1) time to change their election and to prospectively participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and purchase service credit for their prior years of service during which they participated in the optional retirement plan. This election shall be filed in writing with the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System no later than December 31, 2008. Persons who change their election prior to July 1, 2008, to prospectively participate in the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may purchase service credit for their prior years of service during which they participated in the optional retirement plan. The purchase of prior years of service under this paragraph shall be subject to the same conditions and purchase costs as described in paragraph (b) of this subsection, except that the election to purchase service credit shall be on file with the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System no later than December 31, 2008. This paragraph does not apply to individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019; and

(d) Persons electing to change to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System under paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection shall be eligible to participate, based upon their age and allowable service credit, in the disability, survivorship, and medical insurance programs under the conditions and in the degree as they exist on the date that they file their election with the retirement system, but shall be subject to any changes to those programs from that date forward, including any changes that may affect their eligibility for or degree of participation in those programs. Prior service purchased as service credit as permitted under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection shall not be considered for meeting eligibility requirements or determining the extent of participation in these programs. Persons electing to change to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall not be eligible for the survivorship or disability programs based upon medical conditions that existed prior to the filing of their elections.

(2) Elections of eligible employees hired on or after the implementation date of the optional retirement plan at their employer institution shall be effective on the date of their employment. If an eligible employee hired subsequent to the implementation date at the employer institution fails to make the election provided for in this section, the employee shall become a member of the regular retirement plan of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.

(1) The board of trustees shall provide for the maintenance of an individual account for each member showing the amount of the member's accumulated account balance contribution and interest accumulations.Such individual accounts shall be identified in the records of the system by name, date of birth, and Social Security number. It shall collect and keep in convenient form such data as is necessary for the preparation of the required mortality and service tables and for the compilation of such other information as is required for the actuarial valuation of the assets and liabilities of the various funds of the retirement system.

(2) The board shall prepare and furnish to all active contributing members a summary plan description, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average member or annuitant, and sufficiently accurate and comprehensive to reasonably apprise them of their rights and obligations under the Teachers' Retirement System. The board may furnish the summary plan description by posting it on the retirement system's Web site.

(3) The summary plan description shall include:

(a) The name of the retirement system, the name and address of the executive secretary, and the name, address, and title of each member of the board of trustees;

(b) The name and address of the person designated for the service of legal process;

(c) The system's requirements for participation and benefits;

(d) A description of retirement formulas for normal, early, and disability retirement, and survivor benefits;

(e) A description of the requirements for vesting of pension benefits;

(f) A list of circumstances which would result in disqualification, ineligibility, or denial or loss of benefits;

(g) The sources of financing retirement benefits, and statutory requirements for funding;

(h) A statement after each actuarial valuation as to whether funding requirements are being met; and

(i) The procedures to be followed in presenting claims for benefits under the plan, and the remedies available under the plan for the redress of claims which are denied in whole or in part.

(4) The board may publish the summary plan description in the form of a comprehensive pamphlet or booklet, or in the form of periodic newsletters which shall incorporate all the information required in the summary plan description within a period of two (2) years. Any changes in statutory requirements or administrative practices which alter the provisions of the plan as described in the summary plan description shall be summarized as required in subsection (2) of this section and furnished to active contributing members in the form of a supplement to a comprehensive booklet, or reported in the periodic newsletter.

(5) The board shall provide to annuitants so much of the summary plan description as they need to understand changes in benefits which apply to them.

(1) Each member's or annuitant's account shall be administered in a confidential manner, and specific data regarding a member or annuitant shall not be released for publication, except that:

(a) The member or annuitant may authorize the release of his or her account information;

(b) The board of trustees may release member or annuitant account information to the employer or to other state and federal agencies as it deems necessary or in response to a lawful subpoena or order issued by a court of law; or

(c) 1. Upon request by any person, the system shall release the following information from the accounts of any member or annuitant of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, if the member or annuitant is a current or former officeholder in the Kentucky General Assembly:

a. The first and last name of the member or annuitant;

b. The status of the member or annuitant, including but not limited to whether he or she is a contributing member, a member who is not contributing but has not retired, a retiree receiving a monthly retirement allowance, or a retiree who has returned to work following retirement with an agency participating in the system;

c. If the individual is an annuitant, the monthly retirement allowance that he or she was receiving at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year;

d. If the individual is a member who has not yet retired, the estimated monthly retirement allowance that he or she is eligible to receive on the first date he or she would be eligible for an unreduced retirement allowance, using his or her service credit, accumulated account balance, and final average salary at the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; and

e. The current or last participating employer of the member or annuitant, if applicable.

2. No information shall be disclosed under this paragraph from an account that is paying benefits to a beneficiary due to the death of a member or annuitant.

(2) The release of information under subsection (1)(c) of this section shall not constitute a violation of the Open Records Act, KRS 61.870 to 61.884.

(3) Medical records which are included in a member's or annuitant's file maintained by the Teachers' Retirement System are confidential and shall not be released unless authorized by the member or annuitant in writing or as otherwise provided by law or in response to a lawful subpoena or order issued by a court of law.

(4) (a) When a subpoena is served upon any employee of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System requiring the production of any data, information, or records, it is sufficient if the employee of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System charged with the responsibility of being custodian of the original, or his or her designated staff, delivers within five (5) working days by certified mail or by personal delivery to the person specified in the subpoena either of the following:

1. Legible and durable copies of records certified by the employee or designated staff; or

2. An affidavit stating the information required by the subpoena.

(b) The production of records or an affidavit shall be in lieu of any personal testimony of any employee of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System unless, after the production of records or an affidavit, a separate subpoena is served upon the retirement system specifically directing the testimony of an employee of the retirement system. When a subpoena is served on any employee of the retirement system requiring the employee to give testimony or produce records for any purpose, in the absence of a court order requiring the testimony of or production of records by a specific employee, the system may designate an employee to give testimony or produce records upon the matter referred to in the subpoena. The board of trustees may promulgate an administrative regulation for the recovery of reasonable travel and administrative expenses for those occasions when an employee of the retirement system is required to travel from his or her home or office to provide testimony or records. Recoverable expenses may include the wages, salary, and overtime paid to the employee by the retirement system for the period of time that the employee is away from the office. The cost of these expenses shall be borne by the party issuing the subpoena compelling the employee's travel. The board of trustees may also promulgate an administrative regulation establishing a reasonable fee for the copying, compiling, and mailing of requested records.

(c) The certification required by this subsection shall be signed before a notary public by the employee and shall include the full name of the member or annuitant, the member or annuitant identification number assigned to the member or annuitant by the retirement system, and a legend substantially to the following effect: "The records are true and complete reproductions of the original, microfiched, or electronically stored records which are housed in the retirement system's office. This certification is given in lieu of the undersigned's personal appearance."

(d) When an affidavit or copies of records are personally delivered, a receipt shall be presented to the person receiving the records for his or her signature and shall be immediately signed and returned to the person delivering the records. When an affidavit or copies of records are sent via certified mail, the receipt used by the postal authorities shall be sufficient to prove receipt of the affidavit or copies of records.

(e) When the affidavit or copies of records are delivered to a party for use in deposition they shall, after termination of the deposition, be delivered personally or by certified mail to the clerk of the court or other body before which the action or proceeding is pending.

(f) Upon completion of delivery by the retirement system of copies of records by their deposit in the mail or by their personal delivery to the requesting party, the retirement system shall cease to have any responsibility or liability for the records and their continued maintenance in a confidential manner.

(g) Records of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System that are susceptible to reproduction may be proved as to foundation, identity, and authenticity without preliminary testimony, by use of legible and durable copies, certified in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.(h) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to prohibit the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System from asserting any exemption, exception, or relief provided under the Kentucky Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law.

(5) For purposes of this section, "records" includes retirement estimates, affidavits, and other documents prepared by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System in response to information requested in a lawful subpoena or order issued by a court of law.

(1) At retirement the total service credited to a teacher shall consist of prior and subsequent service rendered by him for which service credit has been allowed.

(2) Kentucky service, presented at the time of retirement, may not be used in calculating benefits under Section 43 of this Act, KRS 161.525, 161.620, or 161.661, if such service has been used to increase benefits in another retirement system, not including Old Age and Survivors Insurance Benefits under the Social Security Administration.

(3) No service credit shall be added to a member's account after the effective date of retirement for service.

(1) Upon service retirement, an individual who becomes a member of the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, may obtain credit for all or any part of the service otherwise creditable under the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or in the service of the United States government for which service credit is not otherwise given, upon the payment by the member of the full actuarial cost of the service credit purchased as defined in KRS 161.220(22). Such payments shall not be picked up, as described in KRS 161.540(2).

(2) The amount paid under this section shall be considered as accumulated contributions of the individual member.

(3) No person shall be allowed credit for the same period of service in more than one (1) of these three (3) retirement systems.

(1) Effective July 1, 1988, a member of the retirement system may qualify for service retirement by meeting one (1) of the following requirements:

(a) Attainment of age sixty (60) years and completion of five (5) years of Kentucky service;

(b) 1. For an individual who becomes a member before July 1, 2008, attainment of age fifty-five (55) years and completion of a minimum of five (5) years of Kentucky service with an actuarial reduction of the basic allowance of five percent (5%) for each year the member's age is less than sixty (60) years or for each year the member's years of Kentucky service credit is less than twenty-seven (27), whichever is the lesser number; and

2. For an individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, attainment of age fifty-five (55) years and completion of a minimum of ten (10) years of Kentucky service with an actuarial reduction of the basic retirement allowance of six percent (6%) for each year the member's age is less than sixty (60) years or for each year the member's years of Kentucky service credit is less than twenty-seven (27), whichever is the lesser number;

(c) Completion of twenty-seven (27) years of Kentucky service. Out-of-state service earned in accordance with the provisions of KRS 161.515(2) may be used to meet this requirement; or

(d) Completion of the necessary years of service under provisions of KRS 61.559(2)(c) if the member is retiring under the reciprocity provisions of KRS 61.680. A member retiring under this paragraph who has not attained age fifty-five (55) shall incur an actuarial reduction of the basic allowance determined by the system's actuary for each year the member's service credit is less than twenty-seven (27).

(2) Any person who has been a member in Kentucky for twenty-seven (27) years or more and who withdraws from covered employment may continue to pay into the fund each year until the end of the fiscal year in which he reaches the age of sixty- five (65) years, the current contribution rate based on the annual compensation received during the member's last full year in covered employment, less any payment received for accrued sick leave or accrued leave from an employer. The member shall be entitled to receive a retirement allowance as provided in KRS 161.620 at any time after withdrawing from covered employment and payment of contributions under this subsection. No member shall make contributions as provided for in this subsection if the member is at the same time making contributions to another retirement system in Kentucky supported wholly or in part by public funds.

(3) Service credit in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the State Police Retirement System, the Legislators' Retirement Plan, the County Employees Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement System may be used in meeting the service requirements of subsection (1)(a), (b), and (c) of this section, provided the service is subsequent to July 1, 1956.

(4) Upon death, disability, or service retirement, a member's accounts under all state supported retirement systems shall be consolidated, as provided by this section and by KRS 61.680, for the purpose of determining eligibility and amount of benefits, which shall include medical benefits. Upon determination of benefits, each system shall pay the applicable percentage of total benefits. The effective date of retirement under this subsection shall be determined by each retirement system for the portion of the payments that will be made.

(5) (4) No retirement annuity shall be effective until written application and option election forms are filed with the retirement office in accordance with administrative regulations of the board of trustees. A member may withdraw his or her retirement application, postpone his or her effective retirement date, or change his or her retirement option if these elections are made no later than the fifteenth day of the month in which the member has made application for retirement.

(6) (5) The surviving spouse of an active contributing member, if named as beneficiary of the member's account, may purchase retirement credit that the member was eligible to purchase prior to the member's death.

(7) Effective January 1, 2019, subsections (1) to (3) of this section do not apply to individuals who become members of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019. Individuals who become members of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, shall receive the retirement benefits prescribed by Section 43 of this Act.

Any member retired by reason of service may return to work in a position covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and continue to receive his or her retirement allowance under the following conditions:

(1) Any member who is retired with thirty (30) or more years of service may return to work in a full-time or a part-time position covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and earn up to a maximum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the member's last annual compensation measured on a daily rate to be determined by the board of trustees. For purposes of determining whether the salary of a member returning to work is seventy-five percent (75%) or less of the member's last annual compensation, all remuneration paid and benefits provided to the member, on an actual dollar or fair market value basis as determined by the retirement system, shall be considered. Members who were retired on or before June 30, 2002, shall be entitled to return to work under the provisions of this section as if they had retired with thirty (30) years of service. Nonqualified service credit purchased under the provisions of KRS 161.5465 or elsewhere with any state-administered retirement system shall not be used to meet the thirty (30) year requirement set forth in this subsection. Out-of state teaching service provided in public schools for kindergarten through grade twelve (12) may count toward the thirty (30) year requirement set forth in this subsection even if it is not purchased as service credit, if the member obtains from his or her out-of-state employer certification of this service on forms prescribed by the retirement system;

(2) Any member who is retired with less than thirty (30) years of service after June 30, 2002, may return to work in a full-time or part-time position covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System and earn up to a maximum of sixty-five percent (65%) of the member's last annual compensation measured on a daily rate to be determined by the board of trustees. For purposes of determining whether the salary of a member returning to work is sixty-five percent (65%) or less of the member's last annual compensation, all remuneration paid and benefits provided to the member, on an actual dollar or fair market value basis as determined by the retirement system, shall be considered;

(3) Reemployment of a retired member under subsection (1) or (2) of this section in a full-time teaching or nonteaching position in a local school district shall be permitted only if the employer certifies to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System that there are no other qualified applicants available to fill the teaching or nonteaching position. The employer may use any source considered reliable including but not limited to data provided by the Education Professional Standards Board and the Department of Education to determine whether other qualified applicants are available to fill the teaching or nonteaching position. The Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate administrative regulations to establish procedures to determine whether other qualified applicants are available to fill a teaching or nonteaching position and, if not, for filling the position with a retired member who will then be permitted to return to work in that position under subsection (1) or (2) of this section. The administrative regulations shall assure that a retired member shall not be hired in a teaching or nonteaching position by a local school district until the superintendent of the school district assures the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System that every reasonable effort has been made to recruit other qualified applicants for the position on an annual basis;

(4) Under this section, an employer may employ full-time a number of retired members not to exceed three percent (3%) of the membership actively employed full-time by that employer. The board of trustees may reduce this three percent (3%) cap upon recommendation of the retirement system's actuary if a reduction is necessary to maintain the actuarial soundness of the retirement system. The board of trustees may increase the three percent (3%) cap upon a determination that an increase is warranted to help address a shortage in the number of available teachers and upon the determination of the retirement system's actuary that the proposed cap increase allows the actuarial soundness of the retirement system to be maintained. For purposes of this subsection, "full-time" means the same as defined by KRS 161.220(21). A local school district may exceed the quota established by this subsection by making an annual written request to the Kentucky Department of Education which the department may approve on a year-by-year basis if the statewide quota has not been met. A district's written request to exceed its quota shall be submitted no sooner than two (2) weeks after the start of the school year;

(5) (a) Except as provided by subsection (10) of this section, a member returning to work in a full-time or part-time position under subsection (1) or (2) of this section will contribute to an account with the retirement system that will be administered independently from and with no reciprocal impact with the member's original retirement account, or any other account from which the member is eligible to draw a retirement allowance.

(b) Except as provided by subsection (10) of this section, a member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall make contributions to the retirement system at the rate provided under KRS 161.540. The new account shall independently meet the five (5) year vesting requirement as well as all other conditions set forth in KRS 161.600(1) before any retirement allowance is payable from this account. The retirement allowance accruing under this new account shall be calculated pursuant to KRS 161.620(1)(b). This new account shall not entitle the member to a duplication of the benefits offered under KRS 161.620(7) or 161.675, nor shall this new account provide the benefits offered by KRS 161.520, 161.525, 161.620(3), 161.655, 161.661, or 161.663.

(c) A member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall waive his or her medical insurance with the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System during the period of reemployment and shall receive the medical insurance coverage that is generally provided by the member's active employer to the other members of the retirement system that the active employer employs. If medical insurance coverage is not available from the employer, the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may provide coverage for the member.

(d) A member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall not be eligible to purchase service credit for any service provided after the member's effective date of retirement but prior to the date that the member returns to work. A member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall not be eligible to purchase service credit that the member would have otherwise been eligible to purchase prior to the member's initial retirement.

(e) A member who returns to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, or in the event of the death of the member, the member's estate or applicably designated beneficiary, shall be entitled, within ninety (90) days of the posting of the annual report submitted by the employer, to a refund of contributions as permitted and limited by KRS 161.470;

(6) The board of trustees may annually, on July 1, adjust the current daily rate of a member's last annual compensation, for each full twelve (12) month period that has elapsed subsequent to the member earning his or her last annual compensation, by the percentage increase in the annual average of the consumer price index for all urban consumers for the calendar year preceding the adjustment as published by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, not to exceed five percent (5%) annually. Each annual adjustment shall become part of the member's daily rate base. Failure to comply with the salary limitations set forth in subsections (1) and (2) of this section as may be adjusted by this subsection shall result in a reduction of the member's retirement allowance or any other benefit to which the member would otherwise be entitled on a dollar-for-dollar basis for each dollar that the member exceeds these salary limitations. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a member retiring from a local school district who returns to work for a local school district under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall be entitled, without any reduction to his or her retirement allowance or any other retirement benefit, to earn a minimum amount equal to one hundred seventy dollars ($170) per day;

(7) (a) A retired member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section shall have separated from service for a period of at least one (1) year if returning to work for the same employer on a full-time basis, and at least three (3) months if returning to work for a different employer on a full-time basis. A retired member returning to work under subsection (1) or (2) of this section on a part-time basis shall have separated from service for a period of at least three (3) months before returning to work for any employer.

(b) As an alternative to the separation-from-service requirements in paragraph (a) of this subsection, a retired member who is returning to work for the same employer in a full-time position under subsections (1) and (2) of this section may elect a separation-from-service of not less than two (2) months followed by a forfeiture of the retired member's retirement allowance on a month-to- month basis for each month that the member has separated from service for less than twelve (12) full months. A retired member returning to work for the same employer in a part-time position, or for a different employer in a full- time position, may elect an alternative separation-from-service requirement of at least two (2) months followed by a forfeiture of the member's retirement allowance for one (1) month. During the period that the member forfeits his or her retirement allowance and thereafter, member and employer contributions shall be made to the retirement system as a result of employment in any position subject to membership in the retirement system. The member shall contribute to an account with the retirement system subject to the conditions set forth in subsection (5) of this section. For purposes of measuring the separation-from-service requirements set forth throughout this section, a member's separation-from-service begins on the first day following the last day of paid employment for the member prior to retirement.

(c) Failure to comply with the separation-from-service requirements in this subsection voids a member's retirement and the member shall be required to return all the retirement benefits he or she received, with interest, for the period of time that the member returned to work without a sufficient separation from service;

(8) (a) Effective July 1, 2004, local school districts may employ retired members in full-time or part-time teaching or administrative positions without limitation on the compensation of the retired members that is otherwise required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section. Under provisions of this subsection, a local school district may only employ retired members to fill critical shortage positions for which there are no other qualified applicants as determined by the local superintendent. The number of retired members that a local school district may employ under this subsection shall be no more than two (2) members per local school district or one percent (1%) of the total active members employed by the local school district on a full-time basis as defined under KRS 161.220(21), whichever number is greater. Retired members returning to work under this subsection shall be subject to the separation- from-service requirements set forth in subsection (7) of this section. Retired members returning to work under this subsection shall waive their medical insurance coverage with the retirement system during their period of reemployment and receive medical insurance coverage that is offered to other full-time members employed by the local school district. Retired members returning to work under this subsection shall contribute to an account subject to the conditions set forth in subsection (5) of this section. Retired members returning to work under this subsection shall make contributions to the retirement system at the rate provided under KRS 161.540. The employer shall make contributions at the rate provided under KRS 161.550. Local school districts shall make annual payments to the retirement system on the compensation paid to the reemployed retirees at the rates determined by the retirement system's actuary that reflect any accrued liability resulting from the reemployment of these members.

(b) The Department of Education may employ retired members in full-time or part-time teaching or nonteaching positions without the limitations on compensation otherwise required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section to fill critical shortage areas in the schools it operates, including the Kentucky School for the Blind, the Kentucky School for the Deaf, and the Kentucky Virtual High School, and to serve on audit teams. The department shall be subject to the same requirements as local school districts as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection, except the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall determine the maximum number of employees that may be employed under this paragraph;

(9) The return to work limitations set forth in this section shall apply to retired members who are returning to work in the same position from which they retired, or a position substantially similar to the one from which they retired, or a position described in KRS 161.046 or any position listed in KRS 161.220(4) which requires membership in the retirement system. Positions which generally require certification or graduation from a four (4) year college or university as a condition of employment which are created, or changed to remove the position from coverage under KRS 161.220(4) are also subject to the return to work limitations set forth in this section. The board of trustees shall determine whether employment in a nonteaching position is subject to this subsection;

(10) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, individuals who retire and begin drawing a retirement allowance from one (1) or more of the systems or plans administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems, the Teachers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Form Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, who are reemployed on or after January 1, 2019, with an employer participating in the Teachers' Retirement System shall not be eligible to contribute to or earn benefits in a second retirement account during the period of reemployment. Employers shall be required to pay the employer normal cost for pension benefits established by Section 63 of this Act for any period of full-time reemployment to help pay down the unfunded liability of the Teachers' Retirement System pension fund.

(b) The provisions of subsections (1) to (8) of this section are not subject to KRS 161.714;

(11) Any member retired by reason of service may waive his or her annuity and return to full-time employment in a position covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System under the following conditions:

(a) The member shall receive no annuity payments while employed in a covered position, shall waive his or her medical insurance coverage with the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System during the period of reemployment, and shall receive the medical insurance coverage that is generally offered by the member's active employer to the other members of the retirement system employed by the active employer. The member's estate or, if there is a beneficiary applicably designated by the member, then the beneficiary, shall continue to be eligible for life insurance benefits as provided in KRS 161.655. Service subsequent to retirement shall not be used to improve an annuity, except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection;

(b) Any member who waives regular annuity benefits and returns to teaching or covered employment shall be entitled to make contributions on the salaries received for this service and have his retirement annuity recalculated as provided in the regular retirement formula in KRS 161.620(1), less any applicable actuarial discount applied to the original retirement allowance due to the election of a joint and last survivor option. Retirement option and beneficiary designation on original retirement shall not be altered by postretirement employment, and dependents and spouses of the members shall not become eligible for benefits under KRS 161.520, 161.525, or 161.661 because of postretirement employment;

(c) When a member returns to full-time teaching or covered employment as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the employer is required to withhold and remit regular retirement contributions. The member must be employed full-time for at least one (1) consecutive contract year to be eligible to improve an annuity. The member shall be returned to the annuity rolls on July 1 following completion of the contract year or on the first day of the month following the month of termination of service if full-time employment exceeds one (1) consecutive contract year. Any discounts applied at the time of the original retirement due to service or age may be reduced or eliminated due to additional employment if full-time employment is for one (1) consecutive contract year or longer; and

(d) A member retired by reason of service who has been employed the equivalent of twenty-five (25) days or more during a school year under KRS 161.605 may waive the member's retirement annuity and return to regular employment covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System during that school year a maximum of one (1) time during any five (5) year period, beginning with that school year;

(12) Retired members may be employed in a part-time teaching capacity by an agency described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n), not to exceed the equivalent of twelve (12) teaching hours in any one (1) fiscal year. Retired members may be employed for a period not to exceed the equivalent of one hundred (100) days in any one (1) fiscal year in a part-time administrative or nonteaching capacity by an agency described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) in a position that would otherwise be covered by the retirement system. The return to work provisions set forth in subsections (1) to (8) of this section shall not apply to retired members who return to work solely for an agency described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n). Calculation of the number of days and teaching hours for part-time teaching, substitute teaching, or part-time employment in a nonteaching capacity under this section shall not exceed the ratio between a school year and the actual months of retirement for the member during that school year. The board of trustees by administrative regulation may establish fractional equivalents of a day of teaching service. Any member who exceeds the twelve (12) hour or one hundred (100) day limitations of this subsection shall be subject to having his or her retirement voided and be required to return all retirement allowances and other benefits paid to the member or on the member's behalf since the effective date of retirement. In lieu of voiding a member's retirement, the system may reduce the member's retirement allowance or any other benefit to which the member would otherwise be entitled on a dollar-for-dollar basis for each dollar of compensation that the member earns in employment exceeding twelve (12) hours, one hundred (100) days, or any apportionment of the two (2) combined;

(13) When a retired member returns to employment in a part-time teaching capacity or in a nonteaching capacity as provided in subsection (12) of this section, the employer shall contribute annually to the retirement system on the compensation paid to the retired member at rates determined by the retirement system actuary that reflect accrued liability for retired members who return to work under subsection (12) of this section; and

(14) For retired members who return to work during any one (1) fiscal year in both a position described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) and in a position described under another provision under KRS 161.220(4), and for retired members who return to work in a position described under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) in both a teaching and an administrative or nonteaching capacity, the board of trustees shall adopt a methodology for a pro rata apportionment of days and hours that the retired member may work in each position.

Effective July 1, 2002, any individual occupying a position on a part-time basis that requires certification or graduation from a four (4) year college or university as a condition of employment and any individual providing part-time or substitute teaching services that are the same or similar to those teaching services provided by certified, full- time teachers shall be a member of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System, according to the conditions and only to the extent set forth in this section, if the individual is employed by one (1) of the public boards, institutions, or agencies set forth in KRS 161.220, excluding those public boards, institutions, and agencies described in KRS 161.220(4)(b) and (n). Members providing part-time and substitute services shall participate in the retirement system as follows:

(1) Members providing part-time and substitute services shall accrue service credit as provided under KRS 161.500 and be entitled to a retirement allowance upon meeting the service retirement conditions of KRS 161.600 or Section 43 of this Act, as applicable. The board of trustees shall adopt a methodology for accrediting service credit to these members on a pro rata basis. The methodology adopted by the board of trustees may be amended as necessary to ensure its actuarial soundness. The retirement allowance for members providing part-time and substitute services shall be calculated pursuant to KRS 161.620 or Section 43 of this Act, as applicable, except that the provisions of KRS 161.620(3) shall not apply. Members providing part-time and substitute services who meet the service retirement conditions of KRS 161.600 or Section 43 of this Act, as applicable, may also be eligible to participate as approved by the board of trustees in the medical insurance program provided by the retirement system under KRS 161.675. Members providing part-time and substitute services shall make contributions to the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System at the rate provided under KRS 161.540. A member who provides part-time or substitute services, or in the event of the death of the member, the member's estate or applicably designated beneficiary, will be entitled, within ninety (90) days of the posting of the annual report submitted by the member's employer, to a refund of contributions as permitted and limited by KRS 161.470;

(2) The board of trustees shall adopt eligibility conditions under which members providing part-time and substitute services may participate in the benefits provided under KRS 161.520, 161.655, 161.661, and 161.663. The board of trustees may permit members providing part-time or substitute services to participate in other benefits offered by the retirement system by promulgating administrative regulations that establish eligibility conditions for participation in these benefits. All eligibility conditions adopted by the board of trustees pursuant to this subsection may be amended as necessary to ensure their actuarial soundness;

(3) In addition to the pro rata methodology adopted by the board of trustees under subsection (1) of this section, members providing part-time and substitute services shall be subject to all limitations and conditions regarding the accrual, retention, accreditation, and use of service credit that apply to members providing full-time services. In addition to the eligibility conditions set forth by the board of trustees under subsection (2) of this section, members providing part-time and substitute services shall be subject to all limitations and conditions regarding both the eligibility to participate and the extent of participation in any benefit offered under KRS 161.220 to 161.716 that apply to members providing full-time services;

(4) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section to the contrary, instructional assistants who provide teaching services in the local school districts on a full-time basis in positions covered by the County Employees Retirement System who are used as substitute teachers on an emergency basis for five (5) days or less during any one (1) fiscal year shall not be considered members of the Teachers' Retirement System during that period in which they are serving as substitute teachers for five (5) days or less;

(5) The board of trustees may adopt a pro rata methodology to determine the annual compensation of members providing part-time and substitute services in order to determine benefits provided under KRS 161.661 and 161.663. Members providing part-time and substitute services who had retirement contributions posted to their accounts during the previous fiscal year and who have not had those contributions refunded to them are eligible to vote for the board of trustees;

(6) The board of trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System shall be responsible for final determination of membership eligibility and may direct employers to take whatever action that may be necessary to correct any error relating to membership;and

(7) Effective January 1, 2019, this section does not apply to any individual who retires on or after January 1, 2019, and is reemployed on or after January 1, 2019; and

(8) The provisions of this section are not subject to KRS 161.714.

(1) The board of trustees is authorized to implement a limited defined contribution plan for the sole purpose of providing retirement allowance payments for retired members who have been approved by the retirement system for full-time reemployment as provided in KRS 161.605.

(2) The defined contribution plan shall be administered separately from the regular benefits provided for members of the retirement system, except that the contributions to the plan shall be invested in the same manner as other contributions to the retirement system.

(3) The provisions of this section apply only to those retired members who were permitted to return to work under the critical shortage provisions of KRS 161.605(7) as they existed on June 30, 2002. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any retired member returning to work on or after July 1, 2002.

(4) Separate member accounts shall be maintained for participants in this plan which shall reflect the annual contributions made to the participant's account based on the rates and interest levels specified in KRS 161.605.

(5) When the retiree's reemployment terminates, the total contributions and accrued interest in the participant's account will be paid in a lump-sum payment or on an actuarial straight life monthly basis to the retiree. If the member dies prior to making application for a retirement allowance under this plan, the beneficiary designated by the participant for this plan shall receive a refund of the funds in the account. If there is a remaining balance in the account at the death of the participant after retirement from this plan, it shall be paid to the beneficiary designated by the participant for this benefit.

(6) Retired members shall be eligible to receive their retirement annuity when approved for reemployment and participation in this plan. Service as a reemployed retiree may not be used in any manner for credit under the regular retirement benefit plans provided by the retirement system.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (1) to (6) of this section, any plan established pursuant to this section shall, effective January 1, 2019, be closed to any future employee or employer contributions.

(1) The retirement allowance, in the form of a life annuity with refundable balance, of a member retiring for service shall be calculated as follows:

(a) For retirements effective July 1, 1998, and thereafter, except as otherwise provided by this section, the annual allowance for each year of service shall be two percent (2%) of the final average salary for service performed prior to July 1, 1983, and two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the final average salary for service performed after July 1, 1983, for all nonuniversity members not employed by a state college or university.The annual retirement allowance for each year of service performed by members of the Teachers' Retirement System who are university members under the provisions of KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) shall be two percent (2%) of the final average salary. Actuarial discounts due to age or service credit at retirement may be applied as provided in this section;

(b) For individuals who become nonuniversity members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2002, and before July 1, 2008, except those persons who become members under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n), and who upon retirement have earned less than ten (10) full years of service credit, the retirement allowance shall be two percent (2%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service. For individuals who become nonuniversity members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2002, and before July 1, 2008, except those persons who become members under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) , and who upon retirement have earned at least ten (10) full years of service credit, the annual allowance for each year of service shall be two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the member's final average salary;

(c) The board of trustees may approve for members who initially retire on or after July 1, 2004, and who become nonuniversity members before July 1, 2008, except those persons who are members under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) , a retirement allowance of three percent (3%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service credit earned in excess of thirty (30) years. This three percent (3%) factor shall be in lieu of the two and one-half percent (2.5%) factor provided for in paragraph (b) of this subsection for every year or fraction of a year of service in excess of thirty (30) years. Upon approval of this three percent (3%) retirement factor, the board of trustees may establish conditions of eligibility regarding the type of service credit that will qualify for meeting the requirements of this subsection. This subsection is optional with the board of trustees and shall not be subject to KRS 161.714;

(d) For individuals who become nonuniversity members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2008, except those persons who become members under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n) , the retirement allowance shall be:

1. a. One and seven-tenths percent (1.7%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned ten (10) or less years of service at retirement;

b. Two percent (2%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned greater than ten (10) but no more than twenty (20) years of service at retirement;

c. Two and three-tenths percent (2.3%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned greater than twenty (20) but no more than twenty-six (26) years of service at retirement; or

d. Two and one-half percent (2.5%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned greater than twenty-six (26) but no more than thirty (30) years of service at retirement; and

2. Three percent (3%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service earned in excess of thirty (30) years of service at retirement subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth in paragraph (c)2. of this subsection;

(e) For individuals who become university members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2008, who are members under KRS 161.220(4)(b) or (n), the retirement allowance shall be:

1. One and one-half percent (1.5%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned ten (10) or less years of service at retirement;

2. One and seven-tenths percent (1.7%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned greater than ten (10) but no more than twenty (20) years of service at retirement;

3. One and eighty-five hundredths percent (1.85%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned greater than twenty (20) but less than twenty-seven (27) years of service at retirement; or

4. Two percent (2%) of the member's final average salary for each year of service if the member has earned twenty-seven (27) or more years of service at retirement; and

(f) The retirement allowance of a member at retirement, as measured on a life annuity, shall not exceed the member's last yearly salary or the member's final average salary, whichever is the greater amount. For purposes of this section, "yearly salary" means the compensation earned by a member during the most recent period of contributing service, either consecutive or nonconsecutive, preceding the member's effective retirement date and shall be subject to the provisions of KRS 161.220(9) and (10).

(2) Effective July 1, 2002, and annually on July 1 thereafter, the retirement allowance of each retired member and of each beneficiary of a retirement option shall be increased in the amount of one and one-half percent (1.5%), provided the retired member had been retired for at least the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective. In the event that the retired member had been retired for less than the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective, then the increase shall be reduced on a pro rata basis by each month that the retired member had not been retired for the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the effective date of the increase.

(3) Any member qualifying for retirement under a life annuity with refundable balance shall be entitled to receive an annual allowance amounting to not less than four hundred dollars ($400) effective July 1, 2002, and not less than four hundred forty dollars ($440) effective July 1, 2003, multiplied by the service credit years of the member. These minimums shall apply to the retired members receiving annuity payments and to those members retiring on or subsequent to the effective dates listed in this subsection, except the following:

(a) Individuals who become members of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System on or after July 1, 2008; or

(b) Members whose retirement allowance payment is reduced below the minimum allowance as a result of its division in a qualified domestic relations order or any other provision permitted under KRS 161.700.

(4) The minimum retirement allowance provided in this section shall apply in the case of members retired or retiring under an option other than a life annuity with refundable balance in the same proportion to the benefits of the member and his beneficiary or beneficiaries as provided in the duly-adopted option tables at the time of the member's retirement.

(5) Effective July 1, 2008, the monthly allowance of each retired member and each recipient of a retirement option of the retired member may be increased in an amount not to exceed three and one-half percent (3.5%) of the monthly allowance in effect the previous month, provided the retired member had been retired for at least the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective. In the event that the retired member had been retired for less than the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective, then the increase shall be reduced on a pro rata basis by each month that the retired member had not been retired for the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The level of increase provided for in this subsection shall be determined by the funding provided in the 2008-2010 biennium budget appropriation.

(6) Effective July 1, 2009, the monthly allowance of each retired member and each recipient of a retirement option of the retired member may be increased in an amount not to exceed seven-tenths of one percent (0.7%) of the monthly allowance in effect the previous month, provided the retired member had been retired for at least the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective. In the event that the retired member had been retired for less than the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date that the increase is effective, then the increase shall be reduced on a pro rata basis by each month that the retired member had not been retired for the full twelve (12) months immediately preceding the effective date of the increase. The level of increase provided for in this subsection shall be determined by the funding provided in the 2008-2010 biennium budget appropriation.

(7) Effective July 1, 1990, monthly payments of two hundred dollars ($200) shall be payable for the benefit of an adult child of a member retired for service when the child's mental or physical condition is sufficient to cause dependency on the member at the time of retirement. Eligibility for this payment shall continue for the life of the child or until the time the mental or physical condition creating the dependency no longer exists or the child marries. Benefits under this subsection shall apply to legally adopted survivors provided the proceedings for the adoption were initiated at least one (1) year prior to the death of the member. The board of trustees shall be the sole judge of eligibility or dependency and may require formal application or information relating thereto.

(8) Members of the Teachers' Retirement System shall be subject to the annuity income limitations imposed by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Service Code.

(9) Compensation in excess of the limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code shall not be used in determining a member's retirement annuity. The limitation on compensation for eligible members shall not be less than the amount which was allowed to be taken into account by the retirement system in effect on July 1, 1993. For this purpose, an eligible member is an individual who was a member of the retirement system before the first plan year beginning after December 31, 1995.

(10) Effective January 1, 2019, subsections (1) to (7) of this section do not apply to individuals who become members of the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019.

(1) Effective July 1, 1982, and thereafter, a district board of education or other employer of members of the Teachers' Retirement System may compensate, at the time of retirement for service, an active contributing member for unused sick-leave days in accordance with this section.

(2) Upon the member's application for service retirement, the employer shall certify the retiring member's unused accumulated sick-leave balance to the board of trustees of the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System. The member's sick-leave balance, expressed in days, shall be divided by one hundred eighty-five (185) days to determine the amount of service credit that may be considered for addition to the member's retirement account for the purpose of determining the retirement allowance under KRS 161.620, subject to the limitation of subsection (9)(a) of this section. Notwithstanding any statute to the contrary, sick-leave credit that is accredited under this section or by one (1) of the other state-administered retirement systems shall not be used for the purpose of determining whether the member is eligible to receive a retirement allowance from the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System.

(3) The board shall compute the cost to the retirement system of the sick-leave credit for each retiring member and shall bill the last employer of the retiring member for such cost. The employer shall pay the cost of such service credit to the retirement system within fifteen (15) days after receiving notification of the cost from the board.

(4) Retiring members who receive service credit under this section shall not be eligible to receive compensation for accrued sick leave under KRS 161.155(10) or any other statutory provision.

(5) Employer participation is optional and the employer may opt to purchase less service credit than the member is eligible to receive provided the same percentage of reduction is made applicable to all retiring members of the employer during a school fiscal year.

(6) The board of trustees shall formulate and adopt necessary rules and regulations for the administration of the foregoing provisions.

(7) Payments to the retirement system for service credit obtained under this section or for compensation credit obtained under KRS 161.155(10) shall be based on the full actuarial cost as defined in KRS 161.220(22).

(8) For an individual who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2008, the maximum amount of unused accumulated sick leave that may be considered for addition to the member's retirement account for purposes of determining the retirement allowance under KRS 161.620 shall not exceed three hundred (300) days or the amount specified by subsection (9)(a) of this section.

(9) Notwithstanding any other provision of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 to the contrary:

(a) The maximum amount of sick leave converted to additional service credit under the provisions of this section shall not exceed the service credit based upon the level of sick leave accumulated on December 31, 2018, by a member whose employer participates in the sick leave program authorized by this section; and

(b) On or after August 1, 2018, no employers may opt to participate in the sick leave program authorized by this section.

(1) (a) An individual who became a member prior to January 1, 2019, upon retirement, shall receive a retirement allowance in the form of a life annuity, with refundable balance, as provided in KRS 161.620, unless an election is made before the effective date of retirement to receive actuarially equivalent benefits under options which the board of trustees approves.

(b) An individual who is participating in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act may, before the effective date of retirement, elect to receive his or her accumulated account balance annuitized into a monthly payment under one (1) of the actuarial equivalent payment options approved by the board of trustees.

(c) No option shall provide for a benefit with an actuarial value at the age of retirement greater than that provided in KRS 161.620 or subsection (7)(a) of Section 43 of this Act, as applicable. This section does not apply to disability allowances as provided in KRS 161.661(1).

(2) The retirement option chosen by a retiree at the time of service retirement shall remain in force unless the retiree became a member prior to January 1, 2019, and elects to make a change under the following conditions:

(a) A divorce, annulment, or marriage dissolution following retirement shall, at the election of the retiree, cancel any optional plan selected at retirement that provides continuing benefits to a spousal beneficiary and return the retiree to a single lifetime benefit equivalent as determined by the board; or

(b) Following marriage or remarriage, or the death of the designated beneficiary, a retiree may elect a new optional plan of payment based on the actuarial equivalent of a single lifetime benefit at the time of the election, as determined by the board. The plan shall become effective the first of the month following receipt of an application on a form approved by the board.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a beneficiary designation shall not be changed after the effective date of retirement except for retirees who elect the life annuity with refundable balance or the predetermined years certain and life thereafter option. A member may remove a beneficiary at any time, but shall not designate a substitute beneficiary. If a member elects to remove a beneficiary, the member's retirement allowance shall not change regardless of the retirement option selected by the member, even if the removed beneficiary predeceases the member.

(4) A member who experiences a qualifying event under subsection (2) of this section and who elects a new optional plan of payment shall make that election within sixty (60) days of the qualifying event.

(1) Effective July 1, 2000, the Teachers' Retirement System shall for those individuals who became members prior to January 1, 2019:

(a) Provide a life insurance benefit in a minimum amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for its members who are retired for service or disability. This life insurance benefit shall be payable upon the death of a member retired for service or disability to the member's estate or to a party designated by the member on a form prescribed by the retirement system; and

(b) Provide a life insurance benefit in a minimum amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for its active contributing members. This life insurance benefit shall be payable upon the death of an active contributing member to the member's estate or to a party designated by the member on a form prescribed by the retirement system.

(2) The member may name one (1) primary and one (1) contingent beneficiary for receipt of the life insurance benefit. To the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, a trust may be designated as beneficiary for receipt of the life insurance benefit. Members may designate as beneficiaries only presently identifiable and existing individuals, or trusts where otherwise permitted, without contingency instructions, on forms prescribed by the retirement system. In the event that a member fails to designate a beneficiary, or all designated beneficiaries predecease the member, the member's estate shall be deemed to be the beneficiary. Any beneficiary designation made by the member, including the estate should the estate become the beneficiary by default, shall remain in effect until changed by the member on forms prescribed by the retirement system, except in the event of subsequent marriage or divorce. A valid marriage license shall terminate any previously designated beneficiary, even that of a trust, and establish the spouse as beneficiary unless, subsequent proof of the marriage, the member or retired member redesignates someone other than the new spouse as the beneficiary. A final divorce decree shall terminate the beneficiary status of an ex-spouse unless, subsequent to divorce, the member redesignates the former spouse as a beneficiary. A final divorce decree shall not terminate the designation of a trust as beneficiary regardless of who is designated as beneficiary of the trust.

(3) Application for payment of life insurance proceeds shall be made to the Teachers' Retirement System together with acceptable evidence of death and eligibility. The reciprocal provisions of KRS 61.680(2)(a) shall not apply to the coverage and payment of proceeds by the life insurance benefit under this section.

(4) Suit or civil action shall not be required for the collection of the proceeds of the life insurance benefit provided for by this section, but nothing in this section shall prevent the maintenance of suit or civil action against the beneficiary or legal representative receiving the proceeds of the life insurance benefit.

(5) Upon the death of a member of the Teachers' Retirement System, the life insurance provided pursuant to subsection (1) of this section may be assigned by the designated beneficiary to a bank or licensed funeral home.

(1) Any member who has completed five (5) or more years of accredited service in the public schools of Kentucky after July 1, 1941, may retire for disability and be granted a disability allowance if found to be eligible as provided in this section. Application for disability benefits shall be made within one (1) year of the last contributing service in Kentucky, and the disability must have occurred during the most recent period of employment in a position covered by the Teachers' Retirement System and subsequent to the completion of five (5) years of teaching service in Kentucky. A disability occurring during the regular vacation immediately following the last period of active service in Kentucky or during an official leave for which the member is entitled to make regular contributions to the retirement system, shall be considered as having occurred during a period of active service. The annual disability allowance shall be equal to sixty percent (60%) of the member's final average salary. Individuals who became members prior to January 1, 2019, who have with twenty-seven (27) or more years of service credit are eligible for service retirement only.Individuals who become members on or after January 1, 2019, who have met the requirements of subsection (6)(b) of Section 43 of this Act shall be eligible for service retirement only.

(2) The provisions of KRS 161.520, 161.525, and subsections (3), (4), and (5) of this section shall not apply to disability retirees whose benefits were calculated on the service retirement formula nor to survivors of these members.

(3) Members shall earn one (1) year of entitlement to disability retirement, at sixty percent (60%) of the member's final average salary, for each four (4) years of service in a covered position, but any member meeting the service requirement for disability retirement shall be credited with no less than five (5) years of eligibility.

(4) A member retired by reason of disability shall continue to earn service credit at the rate of one (1) year for each year retired for disability. This service shall be credited to the member's account at the expiration of entitlement as defined in subsection (3) of this section, or when the member's eligibility for disability benefits is terminated upon recommendation of a medical review committee, and this service shall be used in calculating benefits as provided in subsection (5) of this section, but under no circumstances shall this service be used to provide the member with more than twenty-seven (27) years of total service credit or the level of service credit needed to meet the requirements of subsection (6)(b) of Section 43 of this Act, as applicable. The service credit shall be valued at the same level as service earned by active members as provided under KRS 161.600, and 161.620, or Section 43 of this Act, as applicable.Members participating in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by Section 43 of this Act shall also be credited with employer credits and interest credits for each year of service earned under the provisions of this subsection based upon the salary in which the last employer credit was paid. Payments during the entitlement period as specified by subsection (3) of this section shall not reduce the accumulated account balance of a member participating in the hybrid cash balance plan.

(5) Any member retired by reason of disability and remaining disabled at the expiration of the entitlement period shall have his disability benefits recalculated using the service retirement formula with service credit and any additional accumulated account balance earned as set out in subsection (4) of this section. For persons who became members prior to January 1, 2019, the retirement allowance shall be calculated as set forth in KRS 161.620, except that those persons less than sixty (60) years of age shall be considered as sixty (60) years of age. For persons who become members on or after January 1, 2019, the retirement allowance or benefit shall be calculated as set forth in Section 43 of this Act, except that those persons less than age sixty-five (65) shall be considered as sixty-five (65) years of age. Members having their disability benefits recalculated under this subsection shall not be entitled to a benefit based upon an average of their three (3) highest salaries as set forth in KRS 161.220(9), unless approved otherwise by the board of trustees.

(6) Members who have their disability retirement allowance recalculated at the expiration of the entitlement period shall continue to have coverage under the post- retirement medical insurance program. Restrictions on employment shall remain in effect until the member attains age seventy (70) or until the member's eligibility is discontinued. KRS 161.520 and 161.525 shall not apply to survivors of disability retirees whose retirement allowances have been recalculated at the expiration of the entitlement period. Members who have their disability retirement allowance recalculated at the expiration of their entitlement period shall be entitled to a minimum monthly allowance of five hundred dollars ($500) as the basic straight life annuity. The minimum allowance shall be effective July 1, 1992, and shall apply to those members who have had their allowance recalculated prior to that date and to disability retirees who will have their benefit allowance recalculated on or after that date.

(7) Effective July 1, 1992, members retired for disability prior to July 1, 1964, shall be entitled to a minimum monthly allowance of five hundred dollars ($500) as their basic straight life annuity and their surviving spouse shall be eligible for survivor benefits as provided in KRS 161.520(1)(a) and (b).

(8) Any member retired by reason of disability may voluntarily waive disability benefits and return to teaching or any individual who became a member prior to January 1, 2019, who is age sixty (60) years or older, may elect to waive disability benefits and retire for service on the basis of service credited to the member on the effective date of the disability retirement, or any individual who becomes a member on or after January 1, 2019, who is sixty-five (65) years of age or older, may elect to waive disability benefits and retire for service on the basis of his or her accumulated account balance and service credited to the member on the effective date of disability retirement.

(9) In order to qualify for retirement by reason of disability a member must suffer from a physical or mental condition presumed to be permanent in duration and of a nature as to render the member incapable of being gainfully employed in a covered position. The incapability must be revealed by a competent examination by a licensed physician or physicians and must be approved by a majority of a medical review committee.

(10) A member retired by reason of disability shall be required to undergo periodic examinations at the discretion of the board of trustees to determine whether the disability allowance shall be continued. When examination and recommendation of a medical review committee indicate the disability no longer exists, the allowance shall be discontinued.

(11) Eligibility for payment shall begin on the first day of the month following receipt of the application in the Teachers' Retirement System office, or the first of the month next following the last payment of salary or sick leave benefits by the employer, whichever is the later date.

(12) No person who receives a disability allowance may be employed in a position that entails duties or qualification requirements similar to positions subject to participation in the retirement system either within or without the State of Kentucky. So doing shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall result in loss of the allowance from the first date of this service. A member who applies for and is approved for disability retirement on or after July 1, 2002, and whose annual disability benefit is less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000) may earn income in any occupation other than covered employment only to the extent that the annual income from the other employment when added to the annual disability benefit does not exceed forty thousand dollars ($40,000). For any member who exceeds this limit as a result of income from other employment, the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System shall reduce the member's disability benefit on a dollar-for- dollar basis for each dollar that the member's combined annual disability benefit and annual income from other employment exceeds forty thousand dollars ($40,000). The board of trustees may annually increase the forty thousand dollar ($40,000) limit by the percentage increase in the annual average of the consumer price index for all urban consumers for the most recent calendar year as published by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, not to exceed five percent (5%).

(13) All members who applied for disability retirement before July 1, 2002, and were approved as a result of that application shall be subject to the income limitations as they existed on June 30, 2002, until July 1, 2006. Effective July 1, 2006, the twenty- seven thousand dollar ($27,000) limitation shall be increased to forty thousand dollars ($40,000) and may be adjusted by the board of trustees by the consumer price index in the manner described in subsection (12) of this section. The recipient of a disability allowance who engages in any gainful occupation other than covered employment must make a report of the duties involved, compensation received, and any other pertinent information required by the board of trustees.

(14) The board of trustees shall designate medical review committees, each consisting of three (3) licensed physicians. A medical review committee shall pass upon all applications for disability retirement and upon all applicant statements, medical certifications, and examinations submitted in connection with disability applications. The disposition of each case shall be recommended by a medical review committee in writing to the retirement system. Members of a medical review committee shall follow administrative regulations regarding procedures as the board of trustees may enact and shall be paid reasonable fees and expenses as authorized by the board of trustees in compliance with the provisions of KRS 161.330 and 161.340. The retirement system may secure additional medical examinations and information as it deems necessary. A member may appeal any final agency decision denying his or her disability retirement application pursuant to the provisions of KRS 161.250(2).

(15) A disability may be presumed to be permanent if the condition creating the disability may be reasonably expected to continue for one (1) year or more from the date of application for disability benefits.

(16) Any member who has voluntarily waived disability benefits or whose disability benefits have been discontinued on recommendation of a medical review committee, may apply for reinstatement of disability benefits. The application for reinstatement must be made to the retirement system within twelve (12) months of the date disability benefits terminated. If the termination of benefits were voluntary, the reinstatement may be made without medical examination if application is made within three (3) months of the termination date. Other applications for reinstatement will be processed in the same manner as new applications for benefits.

(17) No person who is receiving disability benefits under this section may be employed in a position which qualifies the person for membership in a retirement system financed wholly or in part with public funds. Employment in a position prohibited by this subsection shall result in disqualification for those disability benefits from the date of employment in the prohibited position.

(18) Any person who is receiving benefits and becomes disqualified from receiving those benefits under this section, or becomes disqualified from receiving a portion of those benefits due to income from other than covered employment, shall immediately notify the Teachers' Retirement System of this disqualification in writing and shall return all benefits paid after the date of disqualification. Failure to comply with these provisions shall create an indebtedness of that person to the Teachers' Retirement System. Interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum shall be charged if the debt is not repaid within sixty (60) days after the date of disqualification. Failure to repay this debt creates a lien in favor of the Teachers' Retirement System upon all property of the person who improperly receives benefits and does not repay those benefits. The Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System may, in order to collect an outstanding debt, reduce or terminate any benefit that a member is otherwise entitled to receive.

(1) In the case of death of a member who has retired by reason of service or disability, any portion of the member's accumulated contributions, including member contributions to the state accumulation fund and regular interest to the date of retirement, that has not, and will not be paid as an allowance or benefit shall be paid to the member's beneficiary in such manner as the board of trustees elects.

(2) The member may designate a primary beneficiary or two (2) or more cobeneficiaries to receive any remaining accumulated member contributions payable under this section. A contingent beneficiary may be designated in addition to the primary beneficiary or the cobeneficiaries. The member may designate two (2) or more contingent beneficiaries. To the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code, a trust may be designated as beneficiary for receipt of any remaining funds of the member's accumulated member contributions. Members may designate as beneficiaries only presently identifiable and existing individuals, or trusts where otherwise permitted, without contingency instructions, on forms prescribed by the retirement system. Cobeneficiaries shall be composed of a single class of individuals, or trusts where permitted, who will share in equal proportions in any payment that may become available under this section. Any beneficiary designation made by the member shall remain in effect until changed by the member on forms prescribed by the retirement system, except in the event of subsequent divorce. A final divorce decree shall terminate the beneficiary status of an ex-spouse unless, subsequent to divorce, the member redesignates the former spouse as a beneficiary. A final divorce decree shall not terminate the designation of a trust as beneficiary regardless of who is designated as beneficiary of the trust. In the event that the member fails to designate a beneficiary or all designated beneficiaries predecease the member, any remaining accumulated member contributions shall be payable to the member's estate.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by this section and KRS 161.655(5), the right of a member to a retirement allowance and to the return of contributions, any benefit or right accrued or accruing to any person under KRS 161.220 to 161.716, and the money in the various funds established pursuant to KRS 161.220 to 161.716 are hereby exempt from any state or municipal tax, and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, or other process, and shall not be assigned.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, retirement benefits accrued or accruing to any person under this retirement system on or after January 1, 1998, shall be subject to the tax imposed by KRS 141.020, to the extent provided in KRS 141.010 and 141.0215.

(3) Retirement allowance, disability allowance, accumulated account balance contributions , or any other benefit under the retirement system shall not be classified as marital property pursuant to KRS 403.190(1), except to the extent permitted under KRS 403.190(4). Retirement allowance, disability allowance, accumulated contributions, or any other benefit under the retirement system shall not be considered as an economic circumstance during the division of marital property in an action for dissolution of marriage pursuant to KRS 403.190(1)(d), except to the extent permitted under KRS 403.190(4).

(4) Qualified domestic relations orders issued by a court or administrative agency shall be honored by the retirement system if:

(a) The benefits payable pursuant to the order meet the requirements of a qualified domestic relations order as provided by 26 U.S.C. sec. 414(p). The retirement system shall follow applicable provisions of 26 U.S.C. sec. 414(p) in administering qualified domestic relations orders;

(b) The order meets the requirements established by the retirement system and by subsections (4) to (12) of this section. The board of trustees of the retirement system shall establish the requirements, procedures, and forms necessary for the administration of qualified domestic relations order by promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A; and

(c) The order is on the form established by the retirement system pursuant to the retirement system's authority provided under paragraph (b) of this subsection.

(5) A qualified domestic relations order shall not:

(a) Require the retirement system to take any action not authorized under state or federal law;

(b) Require the retirement system to provide any benefit, allowance, or other payment not authorized under state or federal law;

(c) Grant or be construed to grant the alternate payee any separate right, title, or interest in or to any retirement benefit other than to receive payments from the participant's account in accordance with the administrative regulations promulgated by the system and as provided by subsections (4) to (12) of this section; or

(d) Grant any separate interest to any person other than the participant.

(6) Any qualified domestic relations order submitted to the retirement system shall specify the dollar amount or percentage amount of the participant's benefit to be paid to the alternate payee. In calculating the amount to be paid to the alternate payee, the court or administrative agency that is responsible for issuing the order shall follow the requirements set forth in the administrative regulations promulgated by the board of trustees. Notwithstanding any other statute to the contrary, the board shall not be required to honor a qualified domestic relations order that does not follow the requirements set forth in the administrative regulations promulgated by the board of trustees.

(7) If the qualified domestic relations order meets the requirements established by the system and by subsections (4) to (12) of this section, payments to the alternate payee shall be distributed under the following conditions:

(a) If the participant is retired and is receiving a monthly retirement allowance benefit , the month following the date the retirement system receives a qualified domestic relations order that complies with the administrative regulations promulgated by the retirement system and subsections (4) to (12) of this section; or

(b) If the participant is not retired, the month of the participant's effective retirement date in which the first retirement allowance is payable to the participant or the month in which the participant receives a refund of his or her accumulated account balance contributions as provided by KRS 161.470(6).

(8) An alternate payee's benefits and rights under a qualified domestic relations order shall terminate upon the earlier of:

(a) The death of the participant;

(b) The death of the alternate payee; or

(c) The termination of benefits to the participant under any provision of KRS 161.220 to 161.716.

(9) An alternate payee shall not receive a monthly payment under a qualified domestic relations order if the participant is not receiving a monthly retirement allowance.

(10) The cost of living adjustment provided to the participant pursuant to KRS 161.620 shall be divided between the participant and alternate payee in a qualified domestic relations order as follows:

(a) If the order specifies the alternate payee is to receive a percentage of the participant's benefit, then the cost of living adjustment shall be divided between the participant and the alternate payee based upon the percentage of the total benefit each is receiving upon the participant's retirement or upon the date the order is approved by the retirement system, whichever is later; or

(b) If the order specifies that the alternate payee is to receive a set dollar amount of the participant's benefit, then the order shall specify that:

1. The cost of living adjustment shall be divided between the participant and the alternate payee based upon the percentage of the total benefit each is receiving upon the participant's retirement or upon the date the order is approved by the retirement system, whichever is later; or

2. The alternate payee shall receive no cost of living adjustment.

If the order does not specify the division of the cost of living adjustment as required by this paragraph, then no cost of living adjustment shall be payable to the alternate payee. If no cost of living adjustment is provided to the alternate payee, then the participant shall receive the full cost of living adjustment he or she would have received if the order had not been applied to the participant's account.

(11) Except in cases involving child support payments, the retirement system may charge reasonable and necessary fees and expenses to the recipient and the alternate payee of a qualified domestic relations order for the administration of the qualified domestic relations order by retirement system. All fees and expenses shall be established by the administrative regulations promulgated by the board of trustees of the retirement system. The qualified domestic relations order shall specify whether the fees and expenses provided by this subsection shall be paid:

(a) Solely by the participant;

(b) Solely by the alternate payee; or

(c) Equally shared by the participant and alternate payee.

(12) The retirement system shall honor a qualified domestic relations order issued prior to July 15, 2010, for prospective benefit payments if the order or an amended version of the order meets the requirements established by this section and the administrative regulations promulgated by the retirement system. The order shall not apply to benefit payments issued by the retirement system prior to the date the order was approved by the retirement system.

(1) For persons who became members in the Teachers' Retirement System prior to January 1, 2019, it is hereby declared that in consideration of the contributions by members and in further consideration of benefits received by the state from the member's employment, KRS 161.220 to 161.710 shall constitute, except as provided in KRS 6.696, an inviolable contract of the Commonwealth, and the benefits provided herein shall, except as provided in KRS 6.696, not be subject to reduction or impairment by alteration, amendment, or repeal, except:

(a) As provided in KRS 6.696; and

(b) The General Assembly reserves the right to amend, reduce, or suspend any legislative changes to the provisions of KRS 161.220 to 161.716 that become effective on or after July 1, 2018.

(2) (a) For persons who become members in the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, the General Assembly reserves the right to amend, suspend, or reduce the benefits and rights provided under KRS 161.220 to 161.716 if, in its judgment, the welfare of the Commonwealth so demands, except that the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction shall not be affected.

(b) For purposes of this subsection, the amount of benefits the member has accrued at the time of any amendment, suspension, or reduction shall be limited to the accumulated account balance the member has accrued at the time of amendment, suspension, or reduction.

(c) The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to change any other benefit or right specified by KRS 161.220 to 161.716, except the benefits specified by paragraph (b) of this subsection for members who begin participating in the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019.

(3) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to limit the General Assembly's authority to amend, reduce, or suspend the benefits and rights of members of the Teachers' Retirement System as provided by KRS 161.220 to 161.716 that the General Assembly had the authority to amend, reduce, or suspend, prior to July 1, 2018.

The Public Pension Oversight Board:

(1) Shall, from time to time, conduct an impartial review of all the laws governing the state-administered retirement systems and recommend any changes it may find desirable with respect to benefits and administration, funding of benefits, investments of funds, and the improvement of language, structure, and organization of the statutes;

(2) May Shall , once every five (5) years, review the benefits provided to employees who begin participating in the systems administered by Kentucky Retirement Systems on or after January 1, 2014, and the Teachers' Retirement System on or after January 1, 2019, and recommend any changes to the provisions affecting these employees that are necessary to maintain the actuarial soundness of the systems;

(3) Shall review semiannually the investment programs of the state-administered retirement systems, including a review of asset allocation targets and ranges, risk factors, asset class benchmarks, total return objectives, relative volatility, performance evaluation guidelines, investment policies, and securities litigation policies and recoveries from fraud or other corporate malfeasance. The board may establish an advisory committee, as provided by KRS 7A.260, which may include investment professionals to assist in complying with the provisions of this subsection;

(4) May review any benefits, bylaws, policies, or charters established by the state- administered retirement systems;

(5) Shall, at the request of the Speaker of the House of Representatives or the President of the Senate, evaluate proposed changes to laws affecting the state-administered retirement systems and report to the Speaker or the President on the probable costs, actuarial implications, and desirability as a matter of public policy;

(6) May review all new or amended administrative regulations of the state-administered retirement systems and provide comments to the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee established by KRS 13A.020;

(7) Shall research issues related to the state-administered retirement systems as directed by the Legislative Research Commission;

(8) Shall at least once every five (5) years have an actuarial audit performed for the state-administered retirement systems to evaluate the reliability of each system's actuarial assumptions and methods. The actuarial audit shall be performed by an actuary retained by the Public Pension Oversight Board;

(9) May Shall prior to each budget biennium occurring on or after July 1, 2020, have an actuarial review of the funding requests and needs submitted by the state- administered retirement systems. The review shall be performed by an actuary retained by the Public Pension Oversight Board; and

(10) Shall publish an annual report covering the board's evaluation and recommendations with respect to the operations of the state-administered retirement systems. The report shall be submitted to the Legislative Research Commission no later than December 31 of each year and shall include at a minimum any legislative recommendations made by the board, a summary of the financial and actuarial condition of the state-administered retirement systems, and an analysis of the adequacy of the current levels of funding.

(1) No trustee or employee of the board or authority shall:

(a) Have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board or authority, except that any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the plans administered by the board or authority;

(b) Directly or indirectly, for himself or herself or as an agent, use the assets of the plans administered by the board or authority, except to make current and necessary payments authorized by the board or authority;

(c) Become an endorser or surety or in any manner an obligor for moneys loaned by or borrowed from the board or authority;

(d) Have a contract or agreement with the board or authority, individually or through a business owned by the trustee or the employee;

(e) Use his or her official position with the board or authority to obtain a financial gain or benefit or advantage for himself or herself or a family member;

(f) Use confidential information acquired during his or her tenure with the board or authority to further his or her own economic interests or that of another person; or

(g) Hold outside employment with, or accept compensation from, any person or business with which he or she has involvement as part of his or her official position with the board or authority. The provisions of this paragraph shall not prohibit a trustee from serving as an employee of an agency participating in the plans.

(2) No trustee or employee of the board or authority, who has served as a trustee or employee of the board or authority on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board or authority for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such trustee or employee may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the plans administered by the board or authority.

(3) (a) No person who is serving as a member of the General Assembly or is a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board or authority, except that any such trustee or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the plans administered by the board or authority.

(b) No person who was serving as a member of the General Assembly on or after July 1, 2017, or was serving as a public servant as defined by subsection (9) of Section 83 of this Act on or after July 1, 2017, shall have any interest, direct or indirect, in the gains or profits of any investment or any other legal, business, or financial transaction made by the board or authority for a period of five (5) years following termination of his or her position, except that any such member or public servant may be a member, employee, or beneficiary of the plans administered by the board or authority.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Business" means any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization, self-employed individual, holding company, joint stock company, receivership, trust, or any legal entity through which business is conducted, whether or not for profit;

(2) "Commission" means the Executive Branch Ethics Commission;

(3) "Compensation" means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on, or received by, any person in return for services rendered, or to be rendered, by himself or another;

(4) "Family" means spouse and children, as well as a person who is related to a public servant as any of the following, whether by blood or adoption: parent, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, sister- in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, stepfather, stepmother, stepson, stepdaughter, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister;

(5) "Gift" means a payment, loan, subscription, advance, deposit of money, services, or anything of value, unless consideration of equal or greater value is received; "gift" does not include gifts from family members, campaign contributions, the waiver of a registration fee for a presenter at a conference or training described in KRS 45A.097(5), or door prizes available to the public;

(6) "Income" means any money or thing of value received or to be received as a claim on future services, whether in the form of a fee, salary, expense allowance, forbearance, forgiveness, interest, dividend, royalty, rent, capital gain, or any other form of compensation or any combination thereof;

(7) "Officer" means all major management personnel in the executive branch of state government, including the secretary of the cabinet, the Governor's chief executive officers, cabinet secretaries, deputy cabinet secretaries, general counsels, commissioners, deputy commissioners, executive directors, principal assistants, division directors, members and full-time chief administrative officers of the Parole Board, Kentucky Claims Commission, Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees, Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System board of trustees, the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority board of trustees, Public Service Commission, Worker's Compensation Board and its administrative law judges, the Kentucky Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Kentucky Board of Education, the Council on Postsecondary Education, and any person who holds a personal service contract to perform on a full-time basis for a period of time not less than six (6) months a function of any position listed in this subsection;

(8) "Official duty" means any responsibility imposed on a public servant by virtue of his or her position in the state service;

(9) "Public servant" means:

(a) The Governor;

(b) The Lieutenant Governor;

(c) The Secretary of State;

(d) The Attorney General;

(e) The Treasurer;

(f) The Commissioner of Agriculture;

(g) The Auditor of Public Accounts; and

(h) All employees in the executive branch including officers as defined in subsection (7) of this section and merit employees;

(10) "Agency" means every state office, cabinet, department, board, commission, public corporation, or authority in the executive branch of state government. A public servant is employed by the agency by which his or her appointing authority is employed, unless his or her agency is attached to the appointing authority's agency for administrative purposes only, or unless the agency's characteristics are of a separate independent nature distinct from the appointing authority and it is considered an agency on its own, such as an independent department;

(11) "Lobbyist" means any person employed as a legislative agent as defined in KRS 6.611(23) or any person employed as an executive agency lobbyist as defined in KRS 11A.201(8);

(12) "Lobbyist's principal" means the entity in whose behalf the lobbyist promotes, opposes, or acts;

(13) "Candidate" means those persons who have officially filed candidacy papers or who have been nominated by their political party pursuant to KRS 118.105, 118.115, 118.325, or 118.760 for any of the offices enumerated in subsections (9)(a) to (g) of this section;

(14) "Does business with" or "doing business with" means contracting, entering into an agreement, leasing, or otherwise exchanging services or goods with a state agency in return for payment by the state, including accepting a grant, but not including accepting a state entitlement fund disbursement;

(15) "Public agency" means any governmental entity;

(16) "Appointing authority" means the agency head or any person whom he or she has authorized by law to act on behalf of the agency with respect to employee appointments;

(17) "Represent" means to attend an agency proceeding, write a letter, or communicate with an employee of an agency on behalf of someone else;

(18) "Directly involved" means to work on personally or to supervise someone who works on personally;

(19) "Sporting event" means any professional or amateur sport, athletic game, contest, event, or race involving machines, persons, or animals, for which admission tickets are offered for sale and that is viewed by the public; and

(20) "Person" means an individual, proprietorship, firm, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, syndicate, business or statutory trust, donative trust, estate, company, corporation, limited liability company, association, club, committee, organization, or group of persons acting in concert.

(1) The authority shall be administered by a board of trustees composed of seven (7) members, who shall be as follows:

(a) Secretary, Finance and Administration Cabinet, ex officio;

(b) Secretary of personnel, ex officio;

(c) The state controller, ex officio; and

(d) Four (4) at-large members appointed by the Governor, who do not have a conflict of interest as provided by Section 82 of this Act, one (1) of whom shall have at least five (5) years of investment or banking experience and one (1) of whom shall be a representative of a nonstate government employer.

(2) The members of the board appointed by the Governor shall serve for a period of four (4) years and the ex officio members of the board shall serve only for the period of their term of office. Each ex officio member may designate a proxy by written notice to the authority prior to call of order of each meeting, and the proxy shall be entitled to participate as a full voting member.

(3) Any vacancy which may occur shall be filled in the same manner provided for the selection of the particular member for a full term. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term only.

(4) Membership on the board of trustees shall not be incompatible with any other office unless a constitutional incompatibility exists, and no member shall be subject to removal from office, except upon conviction of a felony, or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

(5) Board members who do not otherwise receive a salary or compensation from the State Treasury shall receive a per diem of one hundred dollars ($100) for each day they are in session or on official duty, and they shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses in accordance with state administrative regulations and standards applicable to state employees.

(6) The board shall meet at least once in each quarter of the year, and may meet in special session upon the call of the chairman. It shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum, and all actions taken by the board shall be by affirmative vote of a majority of the members present.

(7) The authority shall be attached to the Personnel Cabinet for administrative purposes only. The board may take but is not limited to the following actions:

(a) Appoint such employees as it deems necessary and fix the compensation for all employees of the board, subject to the approval of the secretary. The authority shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed by the board of directors of the authority without the limitations imposed by KRS 12.040 and KRS Chapter 18A. The executive director of the authority and employees appointed by the board shall serve at its will and pleasure. All other staff of the authority shall be employed under KRS 18A.005 to 18A.200;

(b) Require such employees as it thinks proper to execute bonds for the faithful performance of their duties;

(c) Establish a system of accounting;

(d) Contract for such services as may be necessary for the operation or administration of deferred compensation plans authorized in KRS 18A.230 to 18A.275, including annual audits;

(e) Do all things, take all actions, and adopt plans for participation consistent with federal law and with the provisions of KRS 18A.230 to 18A.275, including but not limited to:

1. Amending the board's plan for the Kentucky Public Employees 401(k) Deferred Compensation Plan or the Kentucky Employees 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, or both such plans, to adopt, maintain, and terminate a deemed IRA program under Internal Revenue Code Section 408;

2. Amending the board's plan for the Kentucky Public Employees 401(k) Deferred Compensation Plan to adopt, maintain, and terminate a qualified Roth contribution program under Internal Revenue Code Section 402A; and

3. Adopting, maintaining, and terminating an Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b) plan for qualified employees; and

4. Upon the request of the Kentucky Retirement Systems board of trustees, establishing an investment program for the 401(a) defined contribution plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act; and

(f) Contract with persons or companies duly licensed by the state of Kentucky and applicable federal regulatory agencies, at the cost of the trust fund, to provide investment advice to participants in the plans, with respect to their selection of permitted investments in the plans.

(8) The Attorney General, or an assistant designated by him, may act as legal adviser and attorney for the board. The board may also appoint legal counsel in accordance with KRS Chapter 12.

(9) The board shall prepare an annual financial report showing all receipts, disbursements, assets, and liabilities and shall submit a copy to the Governor and the Legislative Research Commission. All board meetings and records shall be open for inspection by the public.

(1) For purposes of this section, "bona fide promotion or career advancement":

(a) Means a professional advancement in substantially the same line of work held by the employee in the four (4) years immediately prior to the final five (5) fiscal years preceding retirement or a change in employment position based on the training, skills, education, or expertise of the employee that imposes a significant change in job duties and responsibilities to clearly justify the increased compensation to the member; and

(b) Does not include any circumstance where an elected official participating in the Kentucky Employees Retirement System or the County Employees Retirement System takes a position of employment with a different employer participating in any of the state-administered retirement systems.

(2) (a) For employees retiring from the Kentucky Employees Retirement System, the County Employees Retirement System, or the State Police Retirement System on or after January 1, 2018, the systems shall, for each of the retiring employee's last five (5) fiscal years of employment, identify any fiscal year in which the creditable compensation increased at a rate of ten percent (10%) or more annually over the immediately preceding fiscal year's creditable compensation. The employee's creditable compensation in the fiscal year immediately prior to the employee's last five (5) fiscal years of employment shall be utilized to compare the initial fiscal year in the five (5) fiscal year period.

(b) Except as limited or excluded by subsections (3) and (4) of this section, any amount of increase in creditable compensation for a fiscal year identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection that exceeds ten percent (10%) more than the employee's creditable compensation from the immediately preceding fiscal year shall not be included in the creditable compensation used to calculate the retiring employee's monthly retirement allowance. If the creditable compensation for a specific fiscal year identified under paragraph (a) of this subsection as exceeding the ten percent (10%) increase limitation is not used to calculate the retiring employee's monthly retirement allowance, then no reduction in creditable compensation shall occur for that fiscal year.

(c) If the creditable compensation of the retiring employee is reduced as provided by paragraph (b) of this subsection, the retirement systems:

1. Shall refund the employee contributions and interest attributable to the reduction in creditable compensation; and

2. Shall not refund the employer contributions paid but shall utilize those funds to pay down the unfunded liability of the pension fund in which the retiring employee participated.

(3) In order to ensure the prospective application of the limitations on increases in creditable compensation contained in subsection (2) of this section, only the creditable compensation earned by the retiring employee on or after July 1, 2017, shall be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section. Creditable compensation earned by the retiring employee prior to July 1, 2017, shall not be subject to reduction under subsection (2) of this section.

(4) Subsection (2) of this section shall not apply to:

(a) A bona fide promotion or career advancement as defined by subsection (1) of this section;

(b) A lump-sum payment for compensatory time paid to an employee upon termination of employment;

(c) A lump-sum payment made pursuant to an alternate sick leave program under KRS 78.616(5) that is paid to an employee upon termination of employment;

(d) Increases in creditable compensation in a fiscal year over the immediately preceding fiscal year, where in the immediately preceding fiscal year the employer reported the employee as being on leave without pay for any reason, including but not limited to sick leave without pay, maternity leave, leave authorized under the Family Medical Leave Act, and any period of time where the employee received workers' compensation benefit payments that were not reported to the plan as creditable compensation;

(e) Increases in creditable compensation directly attributable to an employee's receipt of compensation for overtime hours worked while serving as a participating employee under any state or federal grant, grant pass-through, or similar program that requires overtime as a condition or necessity of the employer's receipt of the grant; and

(f) Increases in creditable compensation directly attributable to an employee's receipt of compensation for overtime performed during a state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

(5) (a) For employees retiring on or after January 1, 2014, but prior to July 1, 2017, the last participating employer shall be required to pay for any additional actuarial costs resulting from annual increases in an employee's creditable compensation greater than ten percent (10%) over the employee's last five (5) fiscal years of employment that are not the direct result of a bona fide promotion or career advancement. The cost shall be determined by the retirement systems.

(b) Lump-sum payments for compensatory time paid to an employee upon termination of employment shall be exempt from this subsection.

(c) Kentucky Retirement Systems shall be required to answer inquiries from participating employers regarding this subsection. Upon request of the employer prior to the employee's change of position or hiring, the systems shall make a determination that is binding to the systems as to whether or not a change of position or hiring constitutes a bona fide promotion or career advancement.

(d) For any additional actuarial costs charged to the employer under this subsection, the systems shall allow the employer to pay the costs without interest over a period of one (1) year from the date of receipt of the employer's final invoice.

(6) The Kentucky Retirement Systems shall determine whether increases in creditable compensation during the last five (5) fiscal years of employment prior to retirement constitute a bona fide promotion or career advancement and may promulgate administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A to administer this section. All state-administered retirement systems shall cooperate to implement this section.

(7) Any employer who disagrees with a determination made by the system in accordance with this section regarding whether an increase in compensation constitutes a bona fide promotion or career advancement for purposes of subsection (5) of this section may request a hearing and appeal the decision in accordance with KRS 61.645(16).

(8) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2017, and subsequent years, the Kentucky Retirement Systems shall provide a means for employers to separately report the specific exceptions provided in subsection (4) of this section within the reporting system utilized by the employers for making employer reports under KRS 16.645, 61.675, and 78.545. The Kentucky Retirement Systems shall continually provide communication, instructions, training, and educational opportunities for employers regarding how to appropriately report exemptions established by subsection (4) of this section.

(9) This section shall not apply to employees participating in the hybrid cash balance plan as provided by KRS 16.583 and 61.597 or to service in the 401(a) money purchase plan as provided by Section 12 of this Act.

Section 86. Pursuant to the Public Pension Oversight Board's authority under KRS 7A.260, the board shall establish an advisory committee to study the benefits and drawbacks of separating the County Employees Retirement System from the Kentucky Retirement Systems or restructuring the administration of the systems administered by the Kentucky Retirement Systems. The advisory committee shall submit recommendations to the Public Pension Oversight Board no later than December 1, 2019. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, the Legislative Research Commission shall have the authority to alternatively assign the issues identified herein to an interim joint committee or subcommittee thereof and to designate a study completion date.

Section 87. The Kentucky Retirement Systems and Teachers' Retirement System shall provide an update on the development of the system, including any issues as it relates to state or federal law, to the Public Pension Oversight Board no later than August 1, 2018.

Section 88. Notwithstanding KRS 16.500 to 16.652, 61.510 to 61.705, 78.510 to 78.852, 161.220 to 161.716, or any provision of Sections 1 to 85 of this Act to the contrary, in the month following the effective date of this section, a surviving spouse who was married to the deceased member at the time of death but who was ineligible for monthly benefits payable to the surviving spouse under KRS 16.601 as codified prior to the effective date of this section, shall receive the monthly benefit payable to the surviving spouse in Section 24 of this Act, if the member's death occurred on or after January 1, 2017.

Section 89. If any section, any subsection, or any provision of this Act is found by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, unappealable order to be invalid or unconstitutional, the decision of the courts shall not affect or impair any of the remaining sections, subsections, or provisions of this Act.