19-6-501. Eligibility for service retirement benefit. (1) Subject to a member's right to a refund of the member's accumulated contributions under Title 19, chapter 2, part 6, a member is eligible to receive a nonforfeitable service retirement benefit under 19-6-502 after completing 20 years or more of membership service and terminating service.

(2) For purposes of compliance with section 411 of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 411, a vested member who has attained the later of age 50 or the completion of 20 years of membership service has attained normal retirement age and has a nonforfeitable right to the member's service retirement.