§ 24-4-1101. Membership

(a) A public employee, as defined in § 24-4-101(17), first hired on or after July 1, 2005, is subject to the benefit provisions of this subchapter.

(b)

1. (1)

   1. (A) A public employee who remains an active member of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System may elect coverage under the benefit provisions of this subchapter.

   2. (B) If the member elects contributory coverage, the effective date of the member’s contributory coverage shall be:

      1. (i) The first payroll period that is paid and reported in the next month after the contributory election; and

      2. (ii) Prospective only.

2. (2) A conversion or purchase of noncontributory service into contributory service under this subchapter is not allowed.

3. (3) The election shall be made as directed by the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System and is irrevocable.

(c) Noncontributory members who terminate covered service for a period of more than six (6) months and subsequently return to covered service will be subject to the provisions of this subchapter.