(a) Notwithstanding Sections 22870, 22871, and 22873, a judicial branch employee who is first employed by the state and becomes a state member of the system on or after January 1, 2017, shall not receive any portion of the employer contribution payable for annuitants unless the person is credited with 15 years of state service at the time of retirement.

(b) The percentage of the employer contribution payable for postretirement health benefits for an employee subject to this section shall be based on the completed years of credited state service at retirement as shown in the following table:

Credited Yearsof Service

Percentage of EmployerContribution

15 ........................

50

16 ........................

55

17 ........................

60

18 ........................

65

19 ........................

70

20 ........................

75

21 ........................

80

22 ........................

85

23 ........................

90

24 ........................

95

25 or more ........................

100

(c) This section shall apply only to judicial branch employees who retire for service. For purposes of this section, “state service” means service rendered as an employee of the state or an appointed or elected officer of the state for compensation.

(d) This section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Former state employees previously employed prior to January 1, 2017, who return to state employment on or after January 1, 2017.

(2) State employees on an approved leave of absence employed before January 1, 2017, who return to active employment on or after January 1, 2017.

(3) A judge who retires pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 75000) or Chapter 11.5 (commencing with Section 75500) of Title 8.

(Added by Stats. 2016, Ch. 35, Sec. 17. (SB 848) Effective June 27, 2016.)