19-21-101. Authority to establish university system retirement program. The board of regents may establish a university system retirement program, as provided in this chapter, for the administrative officers and members of the instructional and scientific staff of the Montana university system. The program may be an independent plan or part of a larger plan with respect to some or all of the benefits provided. The benefits under the program must be provided through individual annuity contracts, either fixed or variable, or a combination of contracts, issued to and owned by the participants in the program. The program must comply with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code.