41.35.610 - Choice of membership in plan 2 or plan 3. - Washington Statutes

Choice of membership in plan 2 or plan 3.

(1) All classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, shall have a period of ninety days to make an irrevocable choice to become a member of plan 2 or plan 3. At the end of ninety days, if the member has not made a choice to become a member of plan 2, he or she becomes a member of plan 3.

     (2) For administrative efficiency, until a member elects to become a member of plan 3, or becomes a member of plan 3 by default under subsection (1) of this section, the member shall be reported to the department in plan 2, with member and employer contributions. Upon becoming a member of plan 3 by election or by default, all service credit shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined benefit, and all employee accumulated contributions shall be transferred to the member's plan 3 defined contribution account.

     (3) The plan choice provision as set forth in section 7, chapter 491, Laws of 2007 was intended by the legislature as a replacement benefit for gain-sharing. Until there is legal certainty with respect to the repeal of *chapter 41.31A RCW, the right to plan choice under this section is noncontractual, and the legislature reserves the right to amend or repeal this section. Legal certainty includes, but is not limited to, the expiration of any: Applicable limitations on actions; and periods of time for seeking appellate review, up to and including reconsideration by the Washington supreme court and the supreme court of the United States. Until that time, all classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after July 1, 2007, may choose either plan 2 or plan 3 under this section. If the repeal of *chapter 41.31A RCW is held to be invalid in a final determination of a court of law, and the court orders reinstatement of gain-sharing or other alternate benefits as a remedy, then all classified employees who first become employed by an employer in an eligible position on or after the date of such reinstatement shall be members of plan 3.

[2007 c 491 § 7; 1998 c 341 § 202.]

Notes: *Reviser's note: Chapter 41.31A RCW was repealed by 2007 c 491 § 13, effective January 2, 2008, however, RCW 41.31A.020 was also amended by 2007 c 491 § 1 and 2007 c 492 § 10. For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Effective date -- 2007 c 491 §§ 1, 3, and 7: See note following RCW 41.32.835.

Severability -- Conflict with federal requirements -- 2007 c 491: See notes following RCW 41.32.765.