reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-147. Members' contribution account

A. All members' contributions and interest allowances shall be credited to the member's contribution account. Accumulated contributions required to be returned to a member or required to be paid in the event of a member's death before retirement shall be paid from the member's contribution account.
B. At the end of each payroll period, the Comptroller shall transfer to the members' contribution account an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the deductions which would have been made for the preceding payroll period from the salaries of all members from the appropriate fund in the state treasury. The Comptroller shall forward a record of all such transfers to the Board. In all other cases, the employer shall transmit its warrant to the State Treasurer for the payment of an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the deductions made for each payroll period from the salaries of all members paid by the employer for the preceding payroll period. The funds collected by the State Treasurer shall be credited to the members' contribution account. The State Treasurer shall transmit a record of all moneys collected to the Comptroller and the Board.
C. Each individual account of the members' contribution account shall be credited annually with interest at the rate of four percent annually on the accumulated contributions of the member. Interest shall accrue on any contribution beginning at the end of the fiscal year in which the contribution was made. The Board shall have the authority to determine the manner in which the interest is to be credited to the members' contribution account.
D. Upon the retirement of a member, his accumulated contributions shall be transferred from the members' contribution account to the retirement allowance account.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.49; 1966, c. 174; 1970, c. 476; 1976, c. 540; 1982, c. 467; 1986, c. 474; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-148. Retirement allowance account

A. All employer contributions, all amounts transferred from the members' contribution account, and all income from the invested assets of the retirement system shall be credited to the retirement allowance account. All benefits under the retirement system, other than refunds of members' accumulated contributions, and all administrative expenses of the retirement system, except to the extent that such expenses are otherwise paid, shall be paid from the retirement allowance account. At the discretion of the Board, contributions, penalties, and interest assessments may be deducted from the retirement allowance account of the employer.
B. The amount of the interest allowances provided for in this chapter shall be transferred from the retirement allowance account to the members' contribution account annually.
C. The records of the retirement allowance account shall be maintained so that the portion that is applicable to each respective employer may be ascertained at all times.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.50; 1956, c. 560; 1978, c. 841; 1980, c. 137; 1984, c. 430; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-149. Appointment of custodian; payments

The Board is authorized to appoint custodians for the safekeeping and payment of retirement system assets. The selection of these investment services shall be governed exclusively by the fiduciary standard set forth in this chapter.
The Board may request the State Treasurer to issue retirement benefit payments on behalf of the retirement system. At the direction of the Board, retirement payments from the accounts shall be made by the State Treasurer, on warrants of the Comptroller, issued upon vouchers signed by persons designated by the Board. A duly attested copy of a resolution of the Board designating the persons and bearing on its face the specimen signatures of the persons shall be filed with the Comptroller as his authority for issuing warrants upon such vouchers. No voucher shall be drawn unless it has been authorized by Board resolution.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.51; 1988, c. 809; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-150. Deposits

For the purpose of meeting disbursements for retirement allowances and other payments, cash, not exceeding ten percent of the total amount in the accounts of the retirement system, may be kept on deposit to the credit of the State Treasurer in one or more banks or trust companies, located in Virginia, organized under the laws of Virginia or of the United States and qualified as state depositories.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.52; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-152. Limitations on average final compensation

If an employee receives increases in compensation in the last four years of service which are not related to promotion and which exceed the average increase received by other employees of the same employer holding comparable positions, the excess shall be excluded when computing the average final compensation if the Board finds, after consideration of all circumstances, that the primary purpose of the salary increase was to increase the retirement benefit of the employee. If there are no employees of the same employer holding comparable positions, the increases may be excluded from the average final compensation if they exceed the average percentage increase received by all other employees of the same employer. Creditable compensation assumed to have been received for the purpose of purchasing service shall be excluded from a member's average final compensation.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.10; 1954, c. 497; 1956, c. 98; 1956, Ex. Sess., c. 64; 1960, c. 604; 1966, cc. 174, 175; 1970, c. 779; 1971, Ex. Sess., cc. 88, 185; 1972, cc. 568, 708; 1973, cc. 322, 523, 545, 546; 1974, cc. 353, 484; 1975, cc. 597, 611; 1976, cc. 678, 699; 1977, c. 620; 1980, c. 722, § 51-111.10:01; 1982, cc. 467, 478; 1984, c. 430; 1986, c. 474; 1987, c. 392; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-154. Compulsory service retirement

Any employer, subsequent to the employee's normal retirement date, may provide for compulsory service retirement upon a determination that age is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to the normal operation of the particular business or that an employee is incapable of performing his duties in a safe and efficient manner. Any such determination shall be made by the employer.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.54; 1954, c. 460; 1956, c. 458; 1958, c. 356; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 59; 1966, c. 147; 1968, c. 177; 1970, c. 476; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 185; 1972, c. 26; 1974, c. 353; 1975, c. 611; 1980, c. 595; 1982, c. 406; 1984, c. 430; 1987, c. 571; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-155.2. Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain local government officials

A. The provisions of this section apply to any member of the retirement system who (i) is appointed county administrator pursuant to § 15.2-406 or 15.2-1540, urban county executive pursuant to § 15.2-804, county executive pursuant to § 15.2-509, county manager pursuant to § 15.2-609 or 15.2-702, county administrator or city or town manager pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 15.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 or county, city or town attorney pursuant to § 15.2-1542; (ii) is involuntarily separated from service; and (iii) has 20 or more years of creditable service at the date of separation. Such member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 50, provided, however, that if (a) the member is a person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010, (b) the member does not have at least 60 months of creditable service as of January 1, 2013, or (c) the member is enrolled in the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169, then the member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 60.
B. For the purposes of this section, "involuntary separation" means any dismissal, requested resignation, or failure to obtain reappointment, except in case of a conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.
C. The cost of this provision shall be borne by the locality.
1995, c. 721; 1996, cc. 662, 924; 1998, c. 676; 2000, cc. 343, 911; 2008, c. 537; 2011, c. 880; 2014, c. 356.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-158. Reduction of benefits for acceptance of lump-sum settlement under Workers' Compensation Act

The retirement allowance (i) of any member retiring for disability from a cause compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (§ 65.2-100 et seq.) or (ii) of any surviving spouse, minor child, or parent, eligible to receive a benefit as a result of the death of a member from a cause compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act, who elects to receive a lump-sum settlement in lieu of periodic payments for disability or death compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act shall be adjusted by an amount determined by dividing the workers' compensation benefit which such person would have received had the lump-sum settlement not been consummated, into the settlement actually accepted by the member, surviving spouse, child, or parent.
1980, c. 645, § 51-111.59:1; 1982, c. 467; 1986, c. 474; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-159. Medical examinations of persons retired for disability

A. Once each year following retirement, the Board may require a former member who retired for disability and who has not attained his normal retirement age to undergo a medical examination by the Medical Board or a physician or other health care professional designated by the Medical Board. If the former member refuses to submit to the required medical examination, his retirement allowance shall be discontinued until he complies. If he does not comply within six months of the date of the request, all of his rights to any further disability retirement allowance shall cease, subject to the provisions of § 51.1-160.
B. If the Medical Board determines that a beneficiary is not disabled after reviewing the findings of any of the medical examinations provided for in this section, all rights to any further disability allowance shall cease, subject to the provisions of § 51.1-160.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.61; 1984, c. 430; 1990, c. 832; 1998, c. 657; 2018, cc. 53, 305.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-160. Cessation of disability retirement allowance

A. If a beneficiary of a disability retirement allowance returns to service prior to his normal retirement date, his disability retirement allowance shall cease and he shall become a member of the retirement system and shall thereafter contribute. Any prior service on the basis of which his disability retirement allowance was computed shall be restored and, in addition, he shall be credited with all of his previous membership service including the period of disability retirement.
B. The balance of any contributions of the beneficiary in excess of the disability retirement allowance received by him shall be transferred from the retirement allowance account to the members' contribution account.
C. If disability benefits are terminated as set forth in subsection B of § 51.1-159, a beneficiary may (i) receive a refund of any accumulated contributions in excess of the disability retirement allowance received by him, in which case all rights to any further benefits payable under this chapter shall cease, (ii) return to service, in which case the provisions of subsections A and B of this section shall apply, or (iii) receive a deferred service allowance upon attaining the early retirement age if the total of the prior membership service and the period of disability retirement meet the creditable service requirements for deferred retirement for members terminating service.
D. The retirement system shall have no responsibility for the reemployment of a beneficiary in a covered position.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.63; 1960, c. 604; 1974, c. 353; 1984, c. 430; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-161. Withdrawal of contributions before retirement

A. 1. Any member who has five or more years of creditable service, who ceases to be an employee, other than by death or retirement, may receive a refund of his accumulated contributions reduced by the amount of any retirement allowance previously received by him under any of the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.), 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) or the abolished system.
2. Any member who has less than five years of creditable service, who ceases to be an employee other than by death or involuntary separation due to causes other than job performance or misconduct, as determined by the employer in its sole discretion, shall have such refund reduced by that portion of his accumulated contributions that were paid by his employer on his behalf on or after July 1, 2010. Such reduction shall be transferred to the retirement allowance account of each employer who paid such contributions on a pro rata basis.
B. Accumulated contributions shall be refunded to a member upon retirement for disability only from a cause that is compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act (§ 65.2-100 et seq.) or to his designated beneficiary upon the death of the member from a cause that is compensable under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act.
C. If a member becomes covered by an optional retirement plan established under § 51.1-126, 51.1-126.3, 51.1-126.5, or 51.1-126.6, the member may elect to have the balance of his accumulated contributions, as determined under subsection A, transferred directly to such optional retirement plan as a credit to his account in such plan. No portion of the transferred amount shall be available to the member until benefits under the optional retirement plan are otherwise available for distribution. An election to transfer the accumulated contributions to an optional retirement plan shall be treated as a withdrawal of the member's accumulated contributions for purposes of § 51.1-128, except that the member's creditable service shall be taken into account for purposes of Chapter 14 (§ 51.1-1400 et seq.).
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.58; 1960, c. 604; 1970, c. 476; 1986, c. 474; 1988, c. 809; 1990, c. 832; 2001, c. 691; 2006, c. 403; 2010, c. 758; 2012, c. 696.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-163. Death after retirement

If a member dies after the effective date of retirement, any excess of his accumulated contributions as of the effective date of his retirement, over the total retirement allowances received by him, shall be paid in the same manner as provided in subsection A of § 51.1-162, subsection A of § 51.1-207, or subsection A of § 51.1-218, in accordance with the retirement plan covering such member, unless the retirement allowance is then being paid in accordance with any of the optional benefits provided for in § 51.1-165 or § 51.1-165.01. Accumulated contributions as of the effective date of retirement shall include all member contributions paid by the employer on behalf of the member on and after July 1, 1980, and all interest which would have accrued to these funds.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.59; 1960, c. 604; 1990, c. 832; 1991, c. 302; 1995, c. 307; 2001, cc. 679, 699.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-165.1. Acknowledgment by spouse of member

Any application for retirement benefits under this chapter or Chapter 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.) or Chapter 3 (§ 51.1-300 et seq.) of this title shall include a statement made by the spouse, if any, of the applicant, acknowledging (i) that the spouse has read the provisions of payment options and (ii) the selection of the basic benefit or any other benefit selected. Payments to a retired member who fails to have executed properly a statement of acknowledgment, and the provisions for obtaining such statement, shall be governed by procedures adopted by the Board.
1996, c. 709; 2009, c. 22.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 1 - Virginia Retirement System › § 51.1-167. Retirement allowance to be reduced in certain cases

In the case of any state employee whose compensation is not paid exclusively out of the state treasury and in the case of any teacher whose compensation is paid out of any fund not derived from local revenues or state appropriations, if any contributor other than the Commonwealth is in default in the payment of any required contribution, the total retirement allowance to which the employee would have been entitled but for the default shall be reduced by the amount of the retirement allowance provided by the defaulted contribution.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.65; 1974, c. 353; 1982, c. 467; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-200. State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System

The State Police Officers' Retirement System is continued and shall be administered by the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title shall apply to and govern the operation of the State Police Officers' Retirement System.
Code 1950, §§ 51-128, 51-140, 51-143; 1950, pp. 883, 885; 1954, c. 139; 1966, c. 628; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-201. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Employee" means a state police officer.
"Member" means any person included in the membership of the retirement system as provided in this chapter.
"Normal retirement date" means a member's sixtieth birthday.
"Retirement system" means the State Police Officers' Retirement System.
1966, c. 628, § 51-144; 1972, c. 568; 1973, c. 523; 1974, c. 353; 1975, c. 597; 1984, c. 430; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-202. Membership in retirement system

Membership in the retirement system shall be compulsory for all state police officers.
Code 1950, §§ 51-130, 51-136.2, § 51-145; 1950, p. 883; 1954, c. 139; 1966, c. 628; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-203. Creditable service

A. Service qualifying for credit under the provisions of the Virginia Retirement System shall be included as creditable service for the purposes of this chapter, provided the requirements set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title for crediting service have been complied with and any payment required is credited in the member's contribution account.
B. If a member ceases to be employed as a state police officer, has not received a refund of the accumulated contributions credited to his member's contribution account, and accepts employment in a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System or the Judicial Retirement System, he shall be entitled to credit for his previous creditable service under this chapter. His accumulated contributions shall be transferred and credited to his member's contribution account in the appropriate retirement system. Future retirement rights shall be as set forth under the provisions of the appropriate retirement system.
Code 1950, §§ 51-131, 51-133, 51-134, 51-146; 1950, p. 884; 1954, c. 139; 1956, c. 562; 1960, c. 559; 1962, c. 585; 1966, c. 628; 1968, c. 648; 1970, c. 657; 1974, c. 353; 1976, c. 540, § 51-111.41:4; 1977, c. 620; 1978, c. 841; 1980, c. 89; 1982, c. 467; 1984, c. 430; 1986, c. 474; 1988, c. 809; 1990, c. 832; 2001, cc. 686, 697.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-204. Contributions by Commonwealth

The Commonwealth shall contribute an amount equal to the sum of the normal contribution, any accrued liability contribution, and any supplementary contribution. The amount shall be determined and paid as provided in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title.
Code 1950, §§ 51-138, 51-140, 51-148; 1950, p. 885; 1954, c. 139; 1966, c. 628; 1970, c. 657; 1982, c. 467; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-208. Post-retirement supplements

In computing the amount of any post-retirement supplements, any additional allowances being paid under the provisions of subsection B of § 51.1-206 shall be disregarded. Any recipient of an allowance which initially commenced on or prior to January 1, 1990, shall be entitled to post-retirement supplements effective July 1, 1991.
1970, c. 657, § 51-157.1; 1989, c. 484; 1990, c. 832; 1991, c. 719.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-209. Disability as the result of felonious misconduct of another

Any member in service who is totally and permanently disabled while on active duty as the result of the felonious misconduct of another may retire for disability as provided in subsection B of § 51.1-156 and shall be entitled to maintenance and services at or under the supervision of the Wilson Workforce and Rehabilitation Center without being liable to pay for the same.
1990, c. 832; 2015, c. 542.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2 - State Police Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-210. Disability benefit

Any member in service who (i) is credited with at least twenty years of service in a hazardous duty position and (ii) meets the (a) requirements for a disability retirement allowance under § 51.1-156 and (b) minimum age requirements of § 51.1-205 may elect to receive the higher of the disability retirement allowance payable under Article 9 (§ 51.1-152 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of this title or the service retirement allowance payable under § 51.1-206 less any reduction in allowance required by subsection C of § 51.1-157 or § 51.1-158.
1997, c. 889.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-211. Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System

The Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System is created and shall be administered by the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title shall apply to and govern the operation of the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System.
1999, c. 585.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-212. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Employee" means any (i) member of the Capitol Police Force as described in § 30-34.2:1, (ii) campus police officer appointed under the provisions of Article 3 (§ 23.1-809 et seq.) of Chapter 8 of Title 23.1, (iii) conservation police officer in the Department of Wildlife Resources appointed under the provisions of Chapter 2 (§ 29.1-200 et seq.) of Title 29.1, (iv) special agent of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority appointed under the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 4.1-100 et seq.) of Title 4.1, (v) law-enforcement officer employed by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission as described in § 9.1-101, (vi) correctional officer as the term is defined in § 53.1-1, and including correctional officers employed at a juvenile correction facility as the term is defined in § 66-25.3, (vii) any parole officer appointed pursuant to § 53.1-143, and (viii) any commercial vehicle enforcement officer employed by the Department of State Police.
"Member" means any person included in the membership of the Retirement System as provided in this chapter.
"Normal retirement date" means a member's sixtieth birthday.
"Retirement System" means the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System.
1999, c. 585; 2007, c. 87; 2015, cc. 38, 730; 2020, c. 958.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-214. Creditable service

A. Service qualifying for credit under the provisions of the Virginia Retirement System shall be included as creditable service for the purposes of this chapter, provided the requirements set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title for crediting service have been complied with and any payment required is credited in the member's contribution account.
B. If a member ceases to be an employee, has not received a refund of the accumulated contributions credited to his member's contribution account, and accepts employment in a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System, the Judicial Retirement System or the State Police Officers' Retirement System, he shall be entitled to credit for his previous creditable service under this chapter. His accumulated contributions shall be transferred and credited to his member's contribution account in the appropriate retirement system. Future retirement rights shall be as set forth under the provisions of the appropriate retirement system.
1999, c. 585; 2001, cc. 686, 697.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-215. Contributions by Commonwealth

The Commonwealth shall contribute an amount equal to the sum of the normal contribution, any accrued liability contribution, and any supplementary contribution. The amount shall be determined and paid as provided in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title.
1999, c. 585.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-220. Disability benefit

Any member in service who (i) is credited with at least twenty years of service in a hazardous duty position and (ii) meets the (a) requirements for a disability retirement allowance under § 51.1-156 and (b) minimum age requirements of § 51.1-216 may elect to receive the higher of the disability retirement allowance payable under Article 9 (§ 51.1-152 et seq.) of Chapter 1 of this title or the service retirement allowance payable under § 51.1-217 less any reduction in allowance required by subsection C of § 51.1-157 or by § 51.1-158.
1999, c. 585.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 2.1 - Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System › § 51.1-221. Election of benefits

All persons who are employees on June 30, 2001, and on July 1, 2001, shall have until October 31, 2001, to make an irrevocable election to be covered by the benefits provided in subdivision A 1 a of § 51.1-217.
2001, c. 804.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-300. Judicial Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System

The Judicial Retirement System is continued and shall be administered by the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title shall apply to and govern the administration of the Judicial Retirement System.
1970, c. 779, § 51-160; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-301. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
"Appointing authority" means the General Assembly or the Governor.
"Creditable service" means prior service plus membership service, as further defined in and modified by § 51.1-303, for which credit is allowable under this chapter.
"Judge" means any justice or judge of a court of record of the Commonwealth, any member of the State Corporation Commission or Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, any judge of a district court of the Commonwealth other than a substitute judge of such district court, and any executive secretary of the Supreme Court assuming such position between December 1, 1975, and January 31, 1976.
"Normal retirement date" means a member's sixty-fifth birthday.
"Previous systems" means the systems established under the provisions of Chapters 2 (§ 51-3 et seq.) and 2.2 (§ 51-29.8 et seq.) of Title 51, and, in the case of judges of regional juvenile and domestic relations courts, the Virginia Retirement System.
"Retirement system" means the Judicial Retirement System.
"Service" means service as a judge.
"Social security disability benefit" means, with respect to any member, the social security disability benefits to which the member is entitled pursuant to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act as in effect at his date of retirement.
1970, c. 779, § 51-161; 1972, cc. 568, 708; 1973, cc. 523, 546; 1974, cc. 353, 484; 1975, c. 597; 1976, cc. 374, 678; 1978, c. 841; 1984, c. 430; 1990, c. 832; 1993, c. 895; 2010, cc. 737, 738; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, cc. 53, 54.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-302. Membership in retirement system

Membership in the retirement system shall consist of all judges.
1970, c. 779, § 51-162; 1981, c. 396; 1990, c. 832; 2012, cc. 701, 823; 2014, c. 356.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-304. Contributions by Commonwealth

The Commonwealth shall contribute an amount equal to the sum of the normal contribution, any accrued liability contribution, and any supplementary contribution. The amount shall be determined and paid as provided in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.). Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, member contributions and employer contributions for judges appointed or elected to an original term commencing on or after January 1, 2014, shall be determined under the provisions of the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169. However, during any period that a judge is absent for a period of greater than three months from his duties, the employer shall not make any contributions otherwise required pursuant to subdivision B 2 of § 51.1-169, unless that absence is due to a medical condition, disability, active duty military leave, or family emergency and the existence of the medical condition, disability, active duty military leave, or family emergency is documented in a written communication signed under penalty of perjury by the judge or other authorized representative and submitted promptly to the Virginia Retirement System and the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia.
1972, c. 151, § 51-165.1; 1982, c. 467; 1990, c. 832; 2014, c. 356; 2023, c. 346.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-305. Service retirement generally

A. Normal retirement. -- Any member in service at his normal retirement date with five or more years of creditable service may retire upon written notification to the Board setting forth the date the retirement is to become effective.
B. Early retirement. -- Any member in service who has either (i) attained his fifty-fifth birthday with five or more years of creditable service or (ii) in the case of a member of any of the previous systems immediately prior to July 1, 1970, complied with the requirements for retirement set forth under the provisions of such previous system as in effect immediately prior to July 1, 1970, may retire upon written notification to the Board setting forth the date the retirement is to become effective.
B1. Mandatory retirement. -- Any member who attains 73 years of age shall be retired 20 days after the convening of the next regular session of the General Assembly following his seventy-third birthday.
C. Deferred retirement for members terminating service. -- Any member who terminates service after five or more years of creditable service may retire under the provisions of subsection A or B of this section, if he has not withdrawn his accumulated contributions prior to the effective date of his retirement or if he has five or more years of creditable service for which his employer has paid the contributions and such contributions cannot be withdrawn. For the purposes of this subsection, any requirements as to the member being in service shall not apply.
D. Effective date of retirement. -- The effective date of retirement shall be after the last day of service of the member, but shall not be more than 90 days prior to the filing of the notice of retirement.
E. Notification of retirement. -- In addition to the notice to the Board required by this section, the same notice shall be given by the member to his appointing authority. If a member is physically or mentally unable to submit written notification of his intention to retire, the member's appointing authority may submit notification to the Board on his behalf.
1970, c. 779, § 51-167; 1977, c. 620; 1982, c. 427; 1986, c. 474; 1988, c. 222; 1990, c. 832; 1992, c. 694; 2005, c. 288; 2011, c. 483; 2015, cc. 762, 773; 2016, c. 667.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-306.1. Service retirement allowance for judges appointed or elected after January 1, 2014

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this chapter, the service retirement allowance for judges appointed or elected to an original term commencing on or after January 1, 2014, shall be determined under the provisions of the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169.
2014, c. 356.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-307. Notice of disability retirement

In addition to the notice of retirement for disability which is required to be made to the Board, notice shall be given by the member to his appointing authority.
1970, c. 779, § 51-169; 1973, c. 523; 1982, c. 427; 1986, c. 474; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 3 - Judicial Retirement System › § 51.1-309. Appearance as counsel in certain forums prohibited

A. No former justice or judge of a court of record of the Commonwealth and no former full-time judge of a court not of record of the Commonwealth, who is retired and receiving retirement benefits under the provisions of the Judicial Retirement System, shall appear as counsel in any case in any court of the Commonwealth.
B. No former member of the State Corporation Commission or Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission, who is retired and receiving retirement benefits under the provisions of the Judicial Retirement System, shall appear as counsel in any case before the Commission of which he was formerly a member.
C. The provisions of subsection A shall not be applicable if the retired justice or judge is not authorized for or assigned to temporary recall by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, or the Senate Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee for Courts of Justice and either (i) (a) the retired judge or justice has been retired for at least two years; (b) the retired justice or judge is appearing as counsel, pro bono, for an indigent person in a civil matter; (c) such civil matter is assigned or referred to the retired justice or judge by a nonprofit legal aid program organized under the auspices of the Virginia State Bar; and (d) the retired justice or judge is not an employee, officer, or board member of such nonprofit legal aid program or (ii) the retired justice or judge is at least 67 years of age and is eligible to receive full Social Security benefits. Nothing herein shall relieve the retired justice or judge from having obtained any license or meeting any requirement in connection with the appearance as counsel as required by law, rule, or regulation. A retired justice or judge shall not be eligible to be authorized for or assigned to temporary recall after such time that he appears as private counsel pursuant to this subsection.
1970, c. 778, § 51-179; 1975, c. 188; 1980, c. 138; 1990, c. 832; 2011, c. 705; 2018, c. 709; 2023, c. 552.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-400. Definitions

The definitions listed in §§ 51.1-124.3, 51.1-201, and 51.1-301 shall apply to this chapter except as otherwise provided.
1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-401. Accumulated contributions under abolished system

The accumulated contributions of the members of the abolished system shall be refunded to the persons entitled to the contributions. No interest shall accumulate after February 1, 1952. Until refunded or otherwise disposed of, such funds, interests therein, and rights thereto shall not be subject to legal, judicial, or other process.
1952, c. 1, § 51-111.68; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-402. Continuation of benefits; amount of life insurance

A. Any former teachers retired under the provisions of Chapter 36 of the Code of 1919, any former members of the abolished system retired under the provisions of that system, any members or former members of the Virginia Retirement System, the State Police Officers' Retirement System, or the Judicial Retirement System who retired under the provisions of the applicable system or who were eligible to receive benefits under the provisions of the applicable system as it existed prior to July 1, 1990, and any beneficiaries of such members shall continue to receive the benefits to which they were entitled or to which they would have become entitled prior to July 1, 1990, except that all provisions of Chapter 722 of the 1980 Acts of Assembly, as amended, shall no longer be applicable to those members with all service rendered after March 31, 1980.
B. All persons who were members of the systems established by Chapters 2, 2.1, and 2.2 of Title 51 immediately prior to July 1, 1970, shall be entitled to all rights and benefits to which they or their beneficiaries were or would have been entitled to thereunder and shall be entitled to all rights and benefits to which they or their beneficiaries were or would have been entitled under the provisions of Chapter 7 of Title 51 as it existed prior to July 1, 1990.
C. The amount of life insurance on each insured employee who retired prior to July 1, 1990, shall be determined under the provisions of the group insurance program in existence on the employee's date of retirement.
1952, c. 1, § 51-111.68; c. 343, § 51-111.70; c. 362, § 51-111.69; 1954, c. 404; 1956, c. 441; 1958, c. 582; 1960, c. 604, § 51-111.67:4; 1962, c. 43, c. 291, § 51-111.70:1; 1964, cc. 275, 594; 1966, c. 174; 1968, c. 725; 1970, cc. 476, 774; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 89; 1974, c. 353; 1975, cc. 306, 309; 1976, c. 654; 1977, c. 620; 1978, c. 841; 1980, cc. 595, 637, 638; 1981, c. 151; 1982, cc. 467, 639; 1984, c. 430; 1986, c. 474; 1990, c. 832; 1992, c. 811.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-403. Service retirement allowance

A. Member contributions. -- Any member who was a former member of the abolished system, who transferred his accumulated contributions to the retirement system, and who has not withdrawn such contributions may, at the time of filing his notice of retirement, deposit in his member's contribution account an amount which will increase his total retirement allowance to an amount not greater than the largest amount obtainable under the applicable provisions of subsection C of this section.
B. Normal retirement guarantee. -- The retirement allowance payable upon normal retirement to a former member of the abolished system who transferred his accumulated contributions to the retirement system and who has not withdrawn his contributions prior to retirement shall not be less than the service retirement allowance to which the member would have been entitled under the provisions of the abolished system if he had continued contributions in the amount in effect on the date the system was abolished. In the case of a member with thirty or more years of creditable service, the larger of such allowance or $2,036.28 annually shall be paid.
C. Early retirement guarantee. -- The retirement allowance payable upon early retirement to a former member of the abolished system who transferred his accumulated contributions to the retirement system and who has not withdrawn his contributions prior to retirement, and who would have qualified prior to normal retirement for a service retirement allowance under the abolished system, shall, prior to the member's sixty-fifth birthday, not be less than the service retirement allowance that would have been payable under the provisions of the abolished system. After the member's sixty-fifth birthday, it shall not be less than the larger of such allowance or $2,036.28 annually.
D. Determination of retirement allowance. -- For the purposes of this section, the retirement allowance shall be determined on the assumption that the retirement allowance is payable to the member alone and that no optional retirement allowance is elected.
1952, c. 157, §§ 51-111.46, 51-111.55; 1956, c. 560; 1960, cc. 138, 604; 1962, c. 417; 1964, c. 223; 1966, c. 174; 1970, c. 476; 1972, cc. 118, 568; 1973, c. 523; 1974, c. 353; 1976, c. 538; 1977, c. 620; 1978, c. 841; 1984, c. 430; 1987, cc. 13, 14; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-404. Disability retirement

A. Disability retirement guarantee. -- The disability allowance payable to a former member of the abolished system who transferred his accumulated contributions to the retirement system and who has not withdrawn such contributions prior to retirement shall not be less than $2,036.28 annually.
B. Minimum disability retirement allowance. -- Effective five months after the effective date of retirement, the amount of annual retirement allowance shall equal $1,000 or twenty-five percent of the average final compensation of the member, whichever is larger. Except for members of the Judicial Retirement System, any member with twenty or more years of creditable service at the time of retirement shall, effective five months after the effective date of retirement, receive a retirement allowance of not less than $2,036.28 annually.
C. Determination of retirement allowance. -- For the purposes of this section, the retirement allowance shall be determined on the assumption that the retirement allowance is payable to the member alone and that no optional retirement allowance is elected.
1952, c. 157, § 51-111.57; 1956, cc. 560, 652; 1960, c. 604; 1962, c. 245; 1964, c. 186; 1966, c. 174; 1970, c. 476; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 88; 1972, c. 568; 1973, c. 523; 1974, c. 353; 1976, c. 541; 1986, c. 474; 1990, c. 832.
2023 Code of Virginia › Title 51.1 - Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement › Chapter 4 - Provisions Coordinating Past and Present Retirement Plans › § 51.1-405. Special retirement guarantee

The retirement allowance payable to any member of the State Police Officers' Retirement System who was in service on June 30, 1966, and who retires on or after his normal retirement date shall equal two percent of his average final compensation multiplied by his years of creditable service not in excess of twenty-five years. If a member retires prior to his normal retirement date, his allowance shall be determined in the same manner; however, the allowance shall be reduced on an actuarial equivalent basis for the period by which the actual retirement date precedes the normal retirement date. For the purposes of this section, the retirement allowance shall be determined on the assumption that it is payable to the member alone and that no optional retirement allowance is elected.
Code 1950, §§ 51-135, 51-151; 1950, p. 885; 1954, c. 139; 1956, c. 562; 1966, c. 628; 1968, c. 647; 1970, c. 657; 1972, c. 568; 1973, cc. 290, 523; 1974, c. 353; 1976, cc. 525, 538; 1978, c. 841; 1981, c. 393; 1984, c. 430; 1986, c. 73; 1989, c. 484; 1990, c. 832.