19-20-404. Creditable service for active service in military, red cross, or merchant marine. (1) Subject to 19-20-405, a vested member may receive up to 4 years of creditable service without cost for active service in the armed forces of the United States, which includes the army, navy, marine corps, air force, and coast guard, during the Korean war between June 1, 1950, and January 31, 1955, and the Vietnam conflict between December 22, 1961, and May 7, 1975, dates inclusive. To receive credit for this service, a member shall submit to the board a written application and proper certification of the member's military service.

(2) (a) If a vested member is ineligible for service credit under subsection (1), the member may apply under the provisions of this subsection (2)(a) for creditable service in the retirement system for active service in the armed forces of the United States, which includes the army, navy, marine corps, air force, and coast guard, or in the American red cross or the merchant marine. The member must be awarded creditable service for the number of years, not exceeding 2, that the retirement board determines to be creditable service if the member contributes to the retirement system an amount equal to the combined employer and employee contributions for the member's first full year's salary earned in a position reportable to the retirement system following the active service in the armed forces of the United States, the American red cross, or the merchant marine for each year of creditable service plus interest paid as follows:

(i) if a written application to purchase service is signed prior to July 1, 2012, at the rate the contribution would have earned had the contribution been in the member's account upon completion of 5 years of membership service in Montana; or

(ii) if a written application to purchase service is signed on or after July 1, 2012, at the actuarially assumed interest rate in effect on the date the written application is signed.

(b) The contribution rate is that rate in effect at the time the member is eligible for the service.

(3) The contribution required under subsection (2) may be made in a lump-sum payment or in installments as agreed between the member and the retirement board.