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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>58084</law_id><section_number>51.1-216</section_number><catch_line>Service retirement generally</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>2.2-3204</reference><reference>51.1-138</reference><reference>51.1-165</reference><reference>51.1-165.01</reference><reference>51.1-217</reference><reference>51.1-220</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="51.1">Pensions, Benefits, and Retirement</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="2.1">Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> Normal retirement. <a id="paragraph-212778" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> commencing employment or reemployment on or after July 1, 2001, and any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> who makes the election provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Election of benefits" href="/51.1-221/">51.1-221</a>, who is a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in service in any retirement program administered by the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Retirement System</span> at his <span class="dictionary">normal retirement date</span> with five or more years of creditable service (i) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (ii) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a>, may retire upon written notification to the Board, setting forth the date the retirement is to become effective.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212779" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#A1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="A2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Any other <span class="dictionary">employee</span> who is a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in service at his <span class="dictionary">normal retirement date</span> with five or more years of creditable service (i) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (ii) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> may retire upon written notification to the Board, setting forth the date the retirement is to become effective.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212780" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#A2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> Early retirement. <a id="paragraph-212781" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> commencing employment or reemployment on or after July 1, 2001, and any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> who makes the election provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Election of benefits" href="/51.1-221/">51.1-221</a>, who is a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in service in any retirement program administered by the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Retirement System</span> other than the program established by this chapter shall retire pursuant to the early retirement provisions of the retirement program of which he is a <span class="dictionary">member</span> at the time of retirement.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212782" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#B1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Any other <span class="dictionary">employee</span> who is a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in service and who has attained his fiftieth birthday with five or more years of creditable service (i) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (ii) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> may retire upon written notification to the Board setting forth the date the retirement is to become effective.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212783" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#B2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> Deferred retirement for <span class="dictionary">members</span> terminating service. <a id="paragraph-212784" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C1" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> commencing employment or reemployment on or after July 1, 2001, and any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> who makes the election provided in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Election of benefits" href="/51.1-221/">51.1-221</a>, who terminates service from any position with membership in any retirement program administered by the Virginia <span class="dictionary">Retirement System</span>, may retire under the provisions of subdivision A 1 or B 1 if (i) he is otherwise eligible for such benefits, (ii) he has not withdrawn his accumulated contributions prior to the effective date of his retirement, and (iii) he has five or more years of creditable service (a) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (b) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (c) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> for which his employer has paid the contributions and such contributions cannot be withdrawn. For the purposes of this subsection, any requirements as to the <span class="dictionary">member</span> being in service shall not apply. No <span class="dictionary">member</span> shall be entitled to the benefits of this subsection if his employer certifies that his service was terminated because of dishonesty, malfeasance, or misfeasance in office. The certification may be appealed to the Board.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212785" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#C1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C2" class="indent-1"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Any other <span class="dictionary">member</span> who terminates service after five or more years of creditable service (i) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (ii) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (iii) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> may retire under the provisions of subdivision A 2 or B 2 if he has not withdrawn his accumulated contributions prior to the effective date of his retirement or if he has five or more years of creditable service (a) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by this chapter, (b) as a <span class="dictionary">member</span> in the <span class="dictionary">retirement system</span> established by Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or (c) while earning the benefits permitted by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> for which his employer has paid the contributions and such contributions cannot be withdrawn. For the purposes of this subsection, any requirements as to the <span class="dictionary">member</span> being in service shall not apply.
				Effective December 31, 2003, any <span class="dictionary">employee</span> in service on June 30, 2002, and July 1, 2002, who is credited with five or more years of creditable service rendered under Chapter 1 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Repealed" href="/51.1-100/">51.1-100</a> et seq.) of this title, Chapter 2 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="State Police Officers' Retirement System continued; administration; application of provisions of Virginia Retirement System" href="/51.1-200/">51.1-200</a> et seq.) of this title, or this chapter shall not be subject to the vesting requirements of this section, and &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Benefits" href="/51.1-138/">51.1-138</a> and <a class="law" title="Service retirement generally" href="/51.1-205/">51.1-205</a>. <a id="paragraph-212786" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#C2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Effective date of retirement. &#x2014; The effective date of retirement shall be after the last day of service, but shall not be more than 90 days prior to the filing of the notice of retirement. <a id="paragraph-212787" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="E"><p><span class="prefix-number">E.</span> Notification on behalf of <span class="dictionary">member</span>. &#x2014; If the <span class="dictionary">member</span> is physically or mentally unable to submit written notification of his intention to retire, the <span class="dictionary">member</span>&#x2019;s appointing authority may submit notification on his behalf. <a id="paragraph-212788" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/51.1-216/#E"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1999, c. 585; 2000, cc. 66, 657, 911; 2001, c. 804; 2002, c. 466; 2004, c. 83; 2011, c. 483.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
