(a) As used in this article, the term "judge", "judge of any court of record" or "judge of any court of record of this state" means, refers to and includes judges of the several circuit courts and justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals. For purposes of this article, the terms do not mean, refer to or include family court judges.

(b) "Actuarially equivalent" or "of equal actuarial value" means a benefit of equal value computed upon the basis of the mortality table and interest rates as set and adopted by the retirement board in accordance with the provisions of this article: Provided, That when used in the context of compliance with the federal maximum benefit requirements of Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, "actuarially equivalent" shall be computed using the mortality tables and interest rates required to comply with those requirements.

(c) "Beneficiary" means any person, except a member, who is entitled to an annuity or other benefit payable by the retirement system.

(d) "Board" means the Consolidated Public Retirement Board created pursuant to article ten-d, chapter five of this code.

(e) "Final average salary" means the average of the highest thirty-six consecutive months' compensation received by the member as a judge of any court of record of this state.

(f) "Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it has been amended.

(g) "Member" means a judge participating in this system.

(h) "Plan year" means the twelve-month period commencing on July 1 of any designated year and ending the following June 30.

(i) "Required beginning date" means April 1 of the calendar year following the later of: (i) The calendar year in which the member attains age seventy and one-half; or (ii) the calendar year in which the member retires or otherwise separates from covered employment.

(j) "Retirement system" or "system" means the Judges' Retirement System created and established by this article. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the provisions of this article are applicable only to circuit judges and justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals in the manner specified in this article. No service as a family court judge may be construed to qualify a person to participate in the Judges' Retirement System or used in any manner as credit toward eligibility for retirement benefits under the Judges' Retirement System.