1. (a) A person who completed at least eight
2. (8) years of service as a judge before July 1, 1953, may become a participant in the fund and be subject to this chapter if the person qualifies for benefits under section 11 of this chapter. A person who is a judge on July 1, 1953, shall become a participant in the fund and be subject to this chapter, beginning on July 1, 1953, unless twenty (20) days before July 1, 1953, the judge files with the board a written notice of election not to participate in the fund.

3. (b) A person who:

   1. (1) becomes a judge after July 1, 1953, and before September 1, 1985; and

   2. (2) is not a participant in the fund;

      becomes a participant in the fund and is subject to this chapter, beginning on the date the person becomes a judge, unless within twenty

   3. (20) days after that date the judge files with the board a written notice of election not to participate in the fund. An election filed under this subsection is irrevocable.

4. (c) A person who irrevocably:

   1. (1) elects not to participate in the fund; or

   2. (2) withdraws from the fund under section 13 of this chapter;

      is ineligible to participate and to receive benefits under this chapter.

5. (d) Participation of a judge in the fund continues until the date on which the judge:

   1. (1) becomes an annuitant;
   2. (2) dies; or

   3. (3) accepts a refund;

      but a person is not required to pay into the fund during any period that the person is not serving as a judge, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

6. (e) A participant is considered to have made a one (1) time irrevocable salary reduction agreement of six percent (6%) of each payment of salary that a participant would otherwise have received for services as a judge.

7. (f) The state comptroller and the county auditor shall pay and credit to the fund the amounts described in subsection (e) as provided in IC 33-38-6-21 and IC 33-38-6-22 . After December 31, 2011, the state comptroller and the county auditor shall submit the contributions paid by or on behalf of a participant under subsection (e) by electronic funds transfer in accordance with IC 33-38-6-21.5 . However, no amounts shall be paid on behalf of a participant for more than twenty-two (22) years.

   [Pre-2004 Recodification Citation: 33-13-9.1-3.]

As added by P.L.98-2004, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.13-2011, SEC.9; P.L.9-2024, SEC.518.