{"data":{"id":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-18451-a","jurisdiction":"us-me","citation":"5 M.R.S. §18451-A","heading":"Qualification for benefits for members covered under chapter 427","body":"Qualification for service retirement benefits for a member covered under chapter 427 is governed by subsection 1 or 2, unless the requirements of a special plan, as established by the board by rule, have been met.\n1.  Members prior to July 1, 2014.  Qualification for a service retirement benefit for a member covered under chapter 427 who was a member of a plan provided under chapter 427 prior to July 1, 2014 is governed by section 18451.\n2.  Members after June 30, 2014.  Qualification for a service retirement benefit for a member who is first covered under chapter 427 after June 30, 2014 is governed as follows.\nA.  A member who is in service when reaching 65 years of age, or is in service after reaching 65 years of age, qualifies for a service retirement benefit if the member:\n(1)  Retires upon or after reaching 65 years of age and has been in service for a minimum of one year immediately before retirement; or\n(2)  Has at least 5 years of creditable service, which, for the purposes of determining completion of the 5-year requirement, may include creditable service as a member of the Legislative Retirement Program.\nB.  A member who is not in service when reaching 65 years of age qualifies for a service retirement benefit if the member:\n(1)  Retires upon or after reaching 65 years of age; and\n(2)  Has at least 5 years of creditable service, which, for the purposes of determining completion of the 5-year requirement, may include creditable service as a member of the Legislative Retirement Program.\nC.  A member, whether or not in service at retirement, who has completed 25 or more years of creditable service qualifies for a service retirement benefit if the member retires at any time after completing 25 years of service, which may include, for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements, creditable service as a member of the Legislative Retirement Program.","path":["TITLE 5: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES AND SERVICES","PART 20: STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM","CHAPTER 425: PARTICIPATING LOCAL DISTRICTS","SUBCHAPTER 5: BENEFITS","ARTICLE 2: SERVICE RETIREMENT BENEFITS"],"source_url":"https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/5/title5sec18451-A.html","current_through":"October 1, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-04T15:12:22Z","sha256":"675389bf4ef4c943c3bbea8b3c529d5873361e556de42ffdb2ddb78f8795062c","source_id":"us-me","stale":false,"prev":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-18451","next":"us-me/5-m.r.s.-18452"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}