{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/51.1-155.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/51.1-155.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/51.1-155.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/51.1-155.2.html"}],"law_id":68249,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68249,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-155.2","catch_line":"Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain local government officials","history":"1995, c. 721; 1996, cc. 662, 924; 1998, c. 676; 2000, cc. 343, 911; 2008, c. 537; 2011, c. 880; 2014, c. 356.","full_text":"A\n\nThe provisions of this section apply to any member of the retirement system who (i) is appointed county administrator pursuant to § 15.2-406 or 15.2-1540, urban county executive pursuant to § 15.2-804, county executive pursuant to § 15.2-509, county manager pursuant to § 15.2-609 or 15.2-702, county administrator or city or town manager pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 15.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 or county, city or town attorney pursuant to § 15.2-1542; (ii) is involuntarily separated from service; and (iii) has 20 or more years of creditable service at the date of separation. Such member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 50, provided, however, that if (a) the member is a person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010, (b) the member does not have at least 60 months of creditable service as of January 1, 2013, or (c) the member is enrolled in the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169, then the member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 60.B\n\nFor the purposes of this section, “involuntary separation” means any dismissal, requested resignation, or failure to obtain reappointment, except in case of a conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.C\n\nThe cost of this provision shall be borne by the locality.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":246956,"text":"The provisions of this section apply to any member of the retirement system who (i) is appointed county administrator pursuant to § 15.2-406 or 15.2-1540, urban county executive pursuant to § 15.2-804, county executive pursuant to § 15.2-509, county manager pursuant to § 15.2-609 or 15.2-702, county administrator or city or town manager pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 15.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 or county, city or town attorney pursuant to § 15.2-1542; (ii) is involuntarily separated from service; and (iii) has 20 or more years of creditable service at the date of separation. Such member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 50, provided, however, that if (a) the member is a person who becomes a member on or after July 1, 2010, (b) the member does not have at least 60 months of creditable service as of January 1, 2013, or (c) the member is enrolled in the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169, then the member may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 60.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":246957,"text":"For the purposes of this section, “involuntary separation” means any dismissal, requested resignation, or failure to obtain reappointment, except in case of a conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or dishonesty.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":246958,"text":"The cost of this provision shall be borne by the locality.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14048,"edition_id":1,"name":"Benefits","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13056,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:41","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:41","permalink":{"id":235355,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14048,"identifier":"9","token":"51.1\/1\/9","url":"\/51.1\/1\/9\/","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":59629,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-152","catch_line":"Limitations on average final compensation","url":"\/51.1-152\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-152","metadata":false},{"id":85181,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-153","catch_line":"Service retirement","url":"\/51.1-153\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-153","metadata":false},{"id":79471,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-154","catch_line":"Compulsory service retirement","url":"\/51.1-154\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-154","metadata":false},{"id":72358,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-155","catch_line":"Service retirement allowance","url":"\/51.1-155\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155","metadata":false},{"id":61992,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-155.1","catch_line":"Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain state employees and constitutional officers","url":"\/51.1-155.1\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155.1","metadata":false},{"id":68249,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-155.2","catch_line":"Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain local government officials","url":"\/51.1-155.2\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155.2","metadata":false},{"id":55144,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-156","catch_line":"Disability retirement","url":"\/51.1-156\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-156","metadata":false},{"id":72932,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-157","catch_line":"Disability retirement allowance","url":"\/51.1-157\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-157","metadata":false},{"id":71977,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-158","catch_line":"Reduction of benefits for acceptance of lump-sum settlement under Workers' Compensation Act","url":"\/51.1-158\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-158","metadata":false},{"id":87471,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-159","catch_line":"Medical examinations of persons retired for disability","url":"\/51.1-159\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-159","metadata":false},{"id":79621,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-160","catch_line":"Cessation of disability retirement allowance","url":"\/51.1-160\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-160","metadata":false},{"id":65950,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-161","catch_line":"Withdrawal of contributions before retirement","url":"\/51.1-161\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-161","metadata":false},{"id":68148,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-162","catch_line":"Death before retirement","url":"\/51.1-162\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-162","metadata":false},{"id":64427,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-163","catch_line":"Death after retirement","url":"\/51.1-163\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-163","metadata":false},{"id":63014,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-164","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/51.1-164\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-164","metadata":false},{"id":71831,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-165","catch_line":"Optional benefits","url":"\/51.1-165\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-165","metadata":false},{"id":82994,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-165.01","catch_line":"Partial lump-sum option for payment of retirement allowance","url":"\/51.1-165.01\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-165.01","metadata":false},{"id":66610,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-165.1","catch_line":"Acknowledgment by spouse of member","url":"\/51.1-165.1\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-165.1","metadata":false},{"id":83485,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-166","catch_line":"Post-retirement supplements generally","url":"\/51.1-166\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-166","metadata":false},{"id":58384,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-167","catch_line":"Retirement allowance to be reduced in certain cases","url":"\/51.1-167\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-167","metadata":false},{"id":57811,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-168","catch_line":"Limits on creditable compensation; maximum benefits; mandatory payment of allowance","url":"\/51.1-168\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-168","metadata":false},{"id":83100,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","url":"\/51.1-169\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-169","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":61992,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-155.1","catch_line":"Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain state employees and constitutional officers","url":"\/51.1-155.1\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":55144,"structure_id":14048,"section_number":"51.1-156","catch_line":"Disability retirement","url":"\/51.1-156\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-156","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/51.1-155.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 721<\/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 6 times. 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. Those modifications are as follows: in 1996, chapters 662<\/a> and 924<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 676<\/a>; in 2000, chapters 343<\/a> and 911<\/a>; in 2008, chapter 537<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 880<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 356<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":85181,"section_number":"51.1-153","catch_line":"Service retirement","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-153\/"},{"id":83485,"section_number":"51.1-166","catch_line":"Post-retirement supplements generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-166\/"},{"id":81012,"section_number":"51.1-217","catch_line":"Service retirement allowance","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-217\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":71801,"section_number":"15.2-1500","catch_line":"Organization of local government","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1500\/"},{"id":57521,"section_number":"15.2-1540","catch_line":"Chief administrative officer","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1540\/"},{"id":65814,"section_number":"15.2-1542","catch_line":"Creation of office of county, city or town attorney authorized; appointment, salary and duties","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-1542\/"},{"id":74837,"section_number":"15.2-406","catch_line":"Appointment, compensation and removal of county administrator","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-406\/"},{"id":81776,"section_number":"15.2-509","catch_line":"County executive appointed by board","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-509\/"},{"id":74941,"section_number":"15.2-609","catch_line":"Appointment of county manager","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-609\/"},{"id":81778,"section_number":"15.2-702","catch_line":"County board; membership, terms, chairman, etc","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-702\/"},{"id":87155,"section_number":"15.2-804","catch_line":"Appointment, qualifications and compensation of urban county executive; to devote full time to work","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-804\/"},{"id":72358,"section_number":"51.1-155","catch_line":"Service retirement allowance","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-155\/"},{"id":83100,"section_number":"51.1-169","catch_line":"Hybrid retirement program","order_by":null,"url":"\/51.1-169\/"}],"permalink":{"id":235377,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68249,"identifier":"51.1-155.2","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155.2","url":"\/51.1-155.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/51.1-155.2\/","token":"51.1\/1\/9\/51.1-155.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Exceptions from general early retirement provisions for certain local government officials","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 51.1-155.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The provisions of this section apply to any member<\/span> of the retirement system<\/span> who (i) is appointed county administrator pursuant to § 15.2-406<\/a> or 15.2-1540<\/a>, urban county executive pursuant to § 15.2-804<\/a>, county executive pursuant to § 15.2-509<\/a>, county manager pursuant to § 15.2-609<\/a> or 15.2-702<\/a>, county administrator or city or town manager pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 15.2-1500<\/a> et seq.) of Title 15.2 or county, city or town attorney pursuant to § 15.2-1542<\/a>; (ii) is involuntarily separated from service; and (iii) has 20 or more years of creditable service<\/span> at the date of separation. Such member<\/span> may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance<\/span> required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155<\/a> upon attaining age 50, provided, however, that if (a) the member<\/span> is a person who becomes a member<\/span> on or after July 1, 2010, (b) the member<\/span> does not have at least 60 months of creditable service<\/span> as of January 1, 2013, or (c) the member<\/span> is enrolled in the hybrid retirement program described in § 51.1-169<\/a>, then the member<\/span> may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance<\/span> required by subdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155<\/a> upon attaining age 60. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> For the purposes of this section, “involuntary separation<\/span>” means any dismissal<\/span>, requested resignation, or failure to obtain reappointment, except in case of a conviction<\/span> for a felony<\/span> or crime<\/span> involving moral turpitude<\/span> or dishonesty. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The cost of this provision shall be borne by the locality. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEXCEPTIONS FROM GENERAL EARLY RETIREMENT PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT\nOFFICIALS (\u00a7 51.1-155.2)\n\nA. The provisions of this section apply to any member of the retirement system\nwho (i) is appointed county administrator pursuant to § 15.2-406 or\n15.2-1540, urban county executive pursuant to § 15.2-804, county executive\npursuant to § 15.2-509, county manager pursuant to § 15.2-609 or\n15.2-702, county administrator or city or town manager pursuant to Chapter 15\n(§ 15.2-1500 et seq.) of Title 15.2 or county, city or town attorney\npursuant to § 15.2-1542; (ii) is involuntarily separated from service; and\n(iii) has 20 or more years of creditable service at the date of separation. Such\nmember may retire without the reduction in retirement allowance required by\nsubdivisions A 2 and A 3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 50, provided,\nhowever, that if (a) the member is a person who becomes a member on or after\nJuly 1, 2010, (b) the member does not have at least 60 months of creditable\nservice as of January 1, 2013, or (c) the member is enrolled in the hybrid\nretirement program described in § 51.1-169, then the member may retire\nwithout the reduction in retirement allowance required by subdivisions A 2 and A\n3 of § 51.1-155 upon attaining age 60.\n\nB. For the purposes of this section, “involuntary separation” means\nany dismissal, requested resignation, or failure to obtain reappointment, except\nin case of a conviction for a felony or crime involving moral turpitude or\ndishonesty.\n\nC. The cost of this provision shall be borne by the locality.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, c. 721; 1996, cc. 662, 924; 1998, c. 676; 2000, cc. 343, 911;\n2008, c. 537; 2011, c. 880; 2014, c. 356.","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}}