19-2-1007. Required distributions. The benefits payable by a retirement system or plan subject to this chapter are subject to the requirements of section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code as follows:

(1) (a) Benefits must begin by April 1 of the calendar year following the later of:

(i) the calendar year in which the member reaches 70 1/2 years of age if the member was born before July 1, 1949, or 72 years of age if the member was born after June 30, 1949; or

(ii) the calendar year following the calendar year in which the member terminates employment.

(b) If a member fails to apply for retirement benefits by April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which benefits must begin under subsection (1)(a), the board shall begin distribution of the benefits as required by the retirement system or plan to which the member belongs or, subject to subsection (2), as an option 4 benefit in chapters 3, 5, 7, and 8 of this title.

(2) The member's entire interest in a retirement system or plan must be distributed over the life of the member or the lives of the member and a designated beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the member or the life expectancy of the member and a designated beneficiary. Death benefits must be distributed in accordance with section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations implementing that section.

(3) The life expectancy of a member or the member's beneficiary may not be recalculated after payment of the benefits has begun.

(4) When a member dies after distribution of benefits has begun, the remaining portion of the member's interest must be distributed beginning within 3 months of notification to the board of the death of the member and, if necessary, the identification of the beneficiary pursuant to 19-2-802 and must be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution prior to the member's death.

(5) When a member dies before distribution of benefits has begun, the entire interest of the member must be distributed within 5 years of the member's death. The 5-year payment rule does not apply to any portion of the member's interest that is payable to a designated beneficiary over the life or life expectancy of the beneficiary and that begins within 1 year after the date of the member's death. The 5-year payment rule does not apply to any portion of the member's interest that is payable to a surviving spouse, that is payable over the life or life expectancy of the spouse, and that begins no later than the date the member would have reached 70 1/2 years of age if the member was born before July 1, 1949, or 72 years of age if the member was born after June 30, 1949. Distributions to a member's beneficiary must begin as soon as administratively feasible, but must begin no later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the member died. If the beneficiary has not elected the form of payment by that date, payment to the beneficiary must be made in the form of a lifetime monthly benefit payment if the beneficiary is eligible for a monthly benefit or in a lump sum if that is the only benefit payable to the beneficiary.

(6) The benefits payable must meet the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirements of section 401(a)(9)(G) of the Internal Revenue Code.