(a)  Notwithstanding Section 22140, “improvement factor” means an increase of 2 percent in benefits provided under Sections 24408 and 24409 for each year commencing September 1, 1981, and under Section 24410.5 for each year commencing September 1, 2001, and under Sections 24410.6 and 24410.7 for each year commencing September 1, 2002. The improvement factor shall not be compounded nor shall it be applicable to annuities payable from the accumulated annuity deposit contributions or the accumulated tax-sheltered annuity contributions. The Legislature reserves the right to adjust the amount of the improvement factor up or down as the economic conditions dictate. No adjustments of the improvement factor shall reduce the monthly retirement allowance or benefit below that which would be payable to the recipient under this part had this section not been enacted.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2014, the improvement factor shall vest for an active member in any calendar year in which active members paid increased member contributions pursuant to Section 22901.7.

(c) If, for any reason, the increased employee contribution referenced in subdivision (b), and as required by subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 22901.7, ceases to be legally required to be made pursuant to the act that added this subdivision, then the Legislature reserves the right to adjust the amount of the improvement factor up or down as the economic conditions dictate for all members who retire on or after January 1, 2014. No adjustments of the improvement factor shall reduce the monthly retirement allowance or benefit below that which would be payable to the recipient under this part had this section not been enacted.

(d) For members who retired before the calendar year in which Section 22901.7 was added, the Legislature reserves the right to adjust the amount of the improvement factor up or down as the economic conditions dictate. No adjustments of the improvement factor shall reduce the monthly retirement allowance or benefit below that which would be payable to the recipient under this part had this section not been enacted.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 123, Sec. 5. (AB 991) Effective January 1, 2016.)