19-2-602. Refund of member's contributions on termination of service. (1) Except as provided in this section, any member who has terminated service, other than by death or retirement, must be paid the member's accumulated contributions upon the filing of a written application by the member and board approval. Prior to termination of service, a member may not receive a refund of any portion of the member's accumulated contributions.

(2) A nonvested member who has terminated service with accumulated contributions of less than $200 must be paid the accumulated contributions in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible without a written application being filed by the member.

(3) A nonvested member who has terminated service with accumulated contributions of $200 to $1,000 must be paid the accumulated contributions in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible unless a written application is filed within 90 days of terminating service pursuant to subsection (4).

(4) Upon the filing of a written application by an alternate payee eligible to receive a single distribution of $200 or more under 19-2-907 or 19-2-909 or by a member who is terminating service and is eligible to receive a refund of $200 or more of accumulated contributions, the board shall make a direct rollover distribution of any eligible rollover distribution allowed under section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 401(a)(31). The direct rollover distribution must be paid directly to an eligible retirement plan allowed under applicable federal law. As of January 1, 2008, an eligible retirement plan includes a Roth IRA, provided for under 26 U.S.C. 408A. The applicant is responsible for designating an eligible retirement plan on forms provided by the board. The portion of the account that is not an eligible rollover distribution must be paid directly to the recipient.