{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.1-124.1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.1-124.1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.1-124.1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.1-124.1.html"}],"law_id":68506,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68506,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.1","catch_line":"Virginia Retirement System established","history":"1994, c. 85; 2022, c. 294.","full_text":"Article X, \u00a7 11 of the Constitution of Virginia requires the General Assembly to maintain a retirement system for state employees and employees of participating political subdivisions and school divisions, subject to restrictions and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, that shall be administered in the best interests of the beneficiaries thereof. To that end and for the purposes of providing adequate benefits and pensions to members, encouraging stable employer contribution rates, and ensuring the overall soundness of the Retirement System, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Virginia Retirement System as an independent agency of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, in the following provisions.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":248006,"text":"Article X, \u00a7 11 of the Constitution of Virginia requires the General Assembly to maintain a retirement system for state employees and employees of participating political subdivisions and school divisions, subject to restrictions and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, that shall be administered in the best interests of the beneficiaries thereof. To that end and for the purposes of providing adequate benefits and pensions to members, encouraging stable employer contribution rates, and ensuring the overall soundness of the Retirement System, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Virginia Retirement System as an independent agency of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, in the following provisions.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14725,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Provisions","identifier":"1.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13056,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:34","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:34","permalink":{"id":235039,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14725,"identifier":"1.1","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1","url":"\/51.1\/1\/1.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13056,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Retirement System","identifier":"1","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12947,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":235031,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13056,"identifier":"1","token":"51.1\/1","url":"\/51.1\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12947,"edition_id":1,"name":"Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement","identifier":"51.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:04","permalink":{"id":235029,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12947,"identifier":"51.1","token":"51.1","url":"\/51.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":68506,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.1","catch_line":"Virginia Retirement System established","url":"\/51.1-124.1\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.1","metadata":false},{"id":64690,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.10","catch_line":"Falsification of records; penalty","url":"\/51.1-124.10\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.10","metadata":false},{"id":56421,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.11","catch_line":"Recovery of payments procured by fraud, false statement, etc","url":"\/51.1-124.11\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.11","metadata":false},{"id":75770,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.12","catch_line":"Procedure when employer required to withdraw funds","url":"\/51.1-124.12\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.12","metadata":false},{"id":62876,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.13","catch_line":"Loss of benefits; certain felony convictions","url":"\/51.1-124.13\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.13","metadata":false},{"id":83835,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.14","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/51.1-124.14\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.14","metadata":false},{"id":62021,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.2","catch_line":"Virginia Supplemental Retirement System continued as Virginia Retirement System","url":"\/51.1-124.2\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.2","metadata":false},{"id":70634,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.3","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/51.1-124.3\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.3","metadata":false},{"id":62870,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.4","catch_line":"Exemption of assets from taxation; exemption of benefits and assets from execution and assignment; trust funds; unclaimed property; eligible rollover distribution","url":"\/51.1-124.4\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.4","metadata":false},{"id":76306,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.5","catch_line":"Disclosure of social security account numbers","url":"\/51.1-124.5\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.5","metadata":false},{"id":78948,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.6","catch_line":"Benefits to be paid monthly","url":"\/51.1-124.6\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.6","metadata":false},{"id":85658,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.7","catch_line":"Distribution of assets upon repeal of system","url":"\/51.1-124.7\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.7","metadata":false},{"id":83914,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.8","catch_line":"Persons affected by changes in retirement benefits","url":"\/51.1-124.8\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.8","metadata":false},{"id":66980,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.9","catch_line":"Changes or errors in records resulting in erroneous payments; employer liability","url":"\/51.1-124.9\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.9","metadata":false}],"next_section":{"id":64690,"structure_id":14725,"section_number":"51.1-124.10","catch_line":"Falsification of records; penalty","url":"\/51.1-124.10\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.10","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.1-124.1\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1994. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 85<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2022, chapter 294<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":62979,"section_number":"15.2-736","catch_line":"State benefits for certain employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-736\/"},{"id":60193,"section_number":"19.2-46.2","catch_line":"Full-time magistrates; certification for retirement coverage","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-46.2\/"},{"id":71900,"section_number":"2.2-2203.3","catch_line":"Employees; employment; personnel rules","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2203.3\/"},{"id":61045,"section_number":"2.2-2817.2","catch_line":"Employees of the University of Virginia Medical Center","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-2817.2\/"},{"id":79842,"section_number":"23.1-2415","catch_line":"Employees of the Authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2415\/"},{"id":54806,"section_number":"23.1-2416","catch_line":"Retirement benefits for employees of the Authority","order_by":null,"url":"\/23.1-2416\/"},{"id":75463,"section_number":"45.2-2105","catch_line":" Establishment of the Consortium","order_by":null,"url":"\/45.2-2105\/"},{"id":78683,"section_number":"51.1-124.22","catch_line":"Board to administer Retirement System; powers and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-124.22\/"},{"id":74626,"section_number":"51.1-126","catch_line":"Employees of institutions of higher education","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126\/"},{"id":59098,"section_number":"51.1-126.3","catch_line":"Employees of the University of Virginia Medical Center","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-126.3\/"},{"id":86935,"section_number":"51.1-1300","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1300\/"},{"id":60634,"section_number":"51.1-138","catch_line":"Benefits","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-138\/"},{"id":75331,"section_number":"51.1-1400","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired state employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1400\/"},{"id":71866,"section_number":"51.1-1401","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired teachers","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1401\/"},{"id":54220,"section_number":"51.1-1403","catch_line":"Health insurance credits for retired constitutional officers, employees of constitutional officers, general registrars, employees of general registrars, and local social service employees","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-1403\/"},{"id":62951,"section_number":"51.1-145","catch_line":"Employer contributions","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-145\/"},{"id":65950,"section_number":"51.1-161","catch_line":"Withdrawal of contributions before retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-161\/"},{"id":83100,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-169\/"},{"id":54259,"section_number":"51.1-200","catch_line":"State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-200\/"},{"id":75132,"section_number":"51.1-203","catch_line":"Creditable service","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-203\/"},{"id":83295,"section_number":"51.1-204","catch_line":"Contributions by Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-204\/"},{"id":74746,"section_number":"51.1-211","catch_line":"Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-211\/"},{"id":77357,"section_number":"51.1-214","catch_line":"Creditable service","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-214\/"},{"id":59156,"section_number":"51.1-215","catch_line":"Contributions by Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-215\/"},{"id":73479,"section_number":"51.1-300","catch_line":"Judicial Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-300\/"},{"id":74635,"section_number":"51.1-304","catch_line":"Contributions by Commonwealth","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-304\/"},{"id":86868,"section_number":"51.1-505","catch_line":"Amounts of life and accident insurance for each employee; reduction and termination of insurance","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-505\/"},{"id":59839,"section_number":"62.1-129.1","catch_line":"Employees; employment; personnel rules; health insurance; retirement plans","order_by":null,"url":"\/62.1-129.1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":235041,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68506,"identifier":"51.1-124.1","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.1","url":"\/51.1-124.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.1-124.1\/","token":"51.1\/1\/1.1\/51.1-124.1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Virginia Retirement System established","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.1-124.1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Article X, \u00a7 11 of the Constitution of Virginia requires the General Assembly to maintain a retirement system<\/span> for state employees<\/span> and employees of participating political subdivisions<\/span> and school divisions, subject to restrictions and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, that shall be administered in the best interests of the beneficiaries thereof. To that end and for the purposes of providing adequate benefits and pensions to members<\/span>, encouraging stable employer<\/span> contribution rates, and ensuring the overall soundness of the Retirement System<\/span>, the General Assembly hereby establishes the Virginia Retirement System<\/span> as an independent agency of the Commonwealth, exclusive of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, in the following provisions.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM ESTABLISHED (\u00a7 51.1-124.1)\n\nArticle X, \u00a7 11 of the Constitution of Virginia requires the General Assembly\nto maintain a retirement system for state employees and employees of\nparticipating political subdivisions and school divisions, subject to\nrestrictions and conditions prescribed by the General Assembly, that shall be\nadministered in the best interests of the beneficiaries thereof. To that end and\nfor the purposes of providing adequate benefits and pensions to members,\nencouraging stable employer contribution rates, and ensuring the overall\nsoundness of the Retirement System, the General Assembly hereby establishes the\nVirginia Retirement System as an independent agency of the Commonwealth,\nexclusive of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, in\nthe following provisions.\n\nHISTORY: 1994, c. 85; 2022, c. 294.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}