9-3-430. Application for benefits; benefit payment effective dates; minimum distribution rules.

(a) A member shall submit a written application for benefits to the system before benefits shall begin. The written application for benefits shall be on forms adopted by the board.

(b) Benefits are payable the last day of the month following the month in which the member's final contributions and employer contributions are remitted to the system and the member has submitted a complete and accurate application under subsection (a) of this section. Retirement is effective the day following the member's last working day in the system or anytime after that time when the member qualifies under W.S. 9-3-415, 9-3-416 or 9-3-431.

(c) Benefit payments under the system shall begin by the later of April 1 of the calendar year following the year in which the member reaches age seventy and one-half (70 1/2) years or retires. The member's entire interest in the system shall be distributed over the life of the member or the lives of the member and a designated beneficiary, over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the member or the life expectancy of the member and designated beneficiary. If a member dies after distribution of benefits has begun, the remaining portion of the member's interest shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution prior to the member's death. If a member dies before distribution of benefits has begun, the entire interest of the member shall be distributed within five (5) years of the member's death. The five (5) year payment rule shall not apply to any portion of the member's interest which is payable to a designated beneficiary over the life or life expectancy of the beneficiary and which begins within one (1) year after the date of the member's death. The five (5) year payment rule shall not apply to any portion of the member's interest which is payable to a surviving spouse payable over the life or life expectancy of the spouse which begins not later than the date the member would have reached age seventy and one-half (70 1/2) years. The board may by rule and regulation modify distributions under this section in order to provide minimum distributions required by section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code or as otherwise necessary to retain qualified plan status under the Internal Revenue Code.

(d) This section applies to benefits payable under W.S. 9-3-432.