HB479 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Daniel H. Boman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Judicial Retirement System, circuit judges and district judges, purchase for prior active-time military service, limitation, Sec. 36-27-49.3 am'd

Summary

HB479 would let circuit and district judges in Alabama's Judicial Retirement Fund purchase up to four years of active full-time military service for retirement credit, under specified limits.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 36-27-49.3 to allow eligible judges in the Judicial Retirement Fund to buy up to four years of active full-time military service as credit toward retirement. Eligible individuals must be active and contributing to the applicable retirement system (Employees' or Teachers' Retirement System) or be a judge in the Judicial Retirement Fund, have met vesting requirements, have an honorable discharge, and have not previously received such credit in any public pension fund including the Judicial Retirement Fund or Employees' or Teachers' Retirement System (Social Security is excluded). If approved, the credit can be granted by the Board of Control, but the member must pay the full actuarially determined cost for each year of service before retirement (or, under certain provisions, the member's spouse may pay under subsections). There is a transitional provision for a six-month window after April 21, 1992 for certain long-tenured members to obtain up to four years of credit, and the act becomes effective three months after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Circuit and district judges (and appellate judges within the Judicial Retirement Fund) who may purchase up to four years of active full-time military service as retirement credit, subject to limitations.
• Active and contributing members of the Employees' or Teachers' Retirement System who have not previously received credit for active military service toward retirement, and may pursue up to four years of such credit under the same conditions (including the requirement to pay the actuarial cost).

Key Provisions

• Allows up to four years of active full-time military service credit for judges in the Judicial Retirement Fund, with limitations.
• Eligibility requires active and contributing status, vesting, honorable discharge, and no prior credit for the same service in other public pension funds (excluding Social Security).
• Board of Control may grant the credit, with the condition that the member comply with subsection (d).
• Subsection (d) requires the member (or spouse under subsection (c)) to pay the full actuarially determined cost for each year of service credit before retirement.
• A transitional six-month provision after April 21, 1992 allows certain members with six consecutive years or more to obtain up to four years of credit under the same conditions.
• Effective date is the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Judicial Retirement System