§ 22-198. Early service retirement.

Any member who is in service as an eligible employee shall be eligible to retire after completion of the retirement application as described in Section 22-50 and receive an early service retirement allowance beginning on the first day of the month following the later of his ceasing to be an employee or:

(1)

For a general member:

a.

The earlier of the 55th birthday of a vested general member; provided, however, if such member is at least age 55 years but has not become vested, upon the completion of five years of creditable service, and any time thereafter prior to attaining age 65 years; or

b.

Upon completion of 30 years of creditable service, regardless of age.

(2)

For a public safety member:

a.

The earlier of the 50th birthday of the vested public safety member; provided, however, if such member is at least age 50 years but has not become vested, upon the completion of five years of creditable service, and any time thereafter prior to attaining age 60 years; or

b.

Upon completion of 25 years of creditable service as a public safety member, regardless of age.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a public safety member with at least 25 years of creditable service or a public safety member who elected to participate in the Enhanced Benefit Retirement Program established pursuant to Section 22-203 with at least 20 years of creditable service shall be eligible after completion of the retirement application described in Section 22-50 either to receive an unreduced service retirement allowance beginning on the first day of the month following the member's ceasing to be an employee on or after his early retirement date or to continue in service but have his retirement allowance credited to an account under the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) established pursuant to Section 22-204.

(Code 1993, § 23.1-40; Code 2004, § 78-202; Ord. No. 2003-254-226, § 1, 7-28-2003)

(Code 1993, § 23.1-40; Code 2004, § 78-202; Ord. No. 2003-254-226, § 1, 7-28-2003)