2026 SESSION
INTRODUCED
26102319D
SENATE BILL NO. 419
Offered January 14, 2026
Prefiled January 13, 2026
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 51.1-203 and 51.1-214 of the Code of Virginia, relating to retirement systems and creditable service.
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Patron—Craig
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Referred to Committee on Finance and Appropriations
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§ 51.1-203 and 51.1-214 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 51.1-203. Creditable service.
A. 1. Service qualifying for credit under the provisions of the Virginia Retirement System shall be included as creditable service for the purposes of this chapter, provided the requirements set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title for crediting service have been complied with and any payment required is credited in the member's contribution account.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for retirements on or after July 1, 2027, any member who is eligible to receive an unreduced service retirement allowance pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 51.1-206 shall be awarded one additional year of creditable service for every five full years of creditable service earned as of the effective date of his retirement (i) as a member in the retirement system established by this chapter, (ii) as a member in the retirement system established by Chapter 2.1 (§ 51.1-211 et seq.), or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by § 51.1-138. Any such additional years of service credit shall be included in the member's creditable service for purposes of this title, except it shall not be included for purposes of determining eligibility for the allowance payable under subsection B of § 51.1-206. This subdivision shall apply to all creditable service earned by a member as of the effective date of his retirement regardless of the date of such service.
B. If a member ceases to be employed as a state police officer, has not received a refund of the accumulated contributions credited to his member's contribution account, and accepts employment in a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System or the Judicial Retirement System, he shall be entitled to credit for his previous creditable service under this chapter. His accumulated contributions shall be transferred and credited to his member's contribution account in the appropriate retirement system. Future retirement rights shall be as set forth under the provisions of the appropriate retirement system.
§ 51.1-214. Creditable service.
A. 1. Service qualifying for credit under the provisions of the Virginia Retirement System shall be included as creditable service for the purposes of this chapter, provided the requirements set forth in Chapter 1 (§ 51.1-124.1 et seq.) of this title for crediting service have been complied with and any payment required is credited in the member's contribution account.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for retirements on or after July 1, 2027, any member who is eligible to receive an unreduced service retirement allowance pursuant to subdivision A 1 of § 51.1-217 shall be awarded one additional year of creditable service for every five full years of creditable service earned as of the effective date of his retirement (i) as a member in the retirement system established by this chapter, (ii) as a member in the retirement system established by Chapter 2 (§ 51.1-200 et seq.), or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by § 51.1-138. Any such additional years of service credit shall be included in the member's creditable service for purposes of this title, except it shall not be included for purposes of determining eligibility for the allowance payable under subsection B of § 51.1-217. This subdivision shall apply to all creditable service earned by a member as of the effective date of his retirement regardless of the date of such service.
B. If a member ceases to be an employee, has not received a refund of the accumulated contributions credited to his member's contribution account, and accepts employment in a position covered by the Virginia Retirement System, the Judicial Retirement System or the State Police Officers' Retirement System, he shall be entitled to credit for his previous creditable service under this chapter. His accumulated contributions shall be transferred and credited to his member's contribution account in the appropriate retirement system. Future retirement rights shall be as set forth under the provisions of the appropriate retirement system.