Permanent employee participation

1. Under this chapter "eligible employee" means a permanent employee who: a. Meets all the eligibility requirements set by North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52; b. Is at least eighteen years of age; c. Becomes a participating member after December 31, 2024; and d. Is not eligible to participate in the national guard plan, bureau of criminal investigation plan, public safety plan, judges' plan, highway patrol plan, teachers' fund for retirement plan, or alternative retirement program established under subsection 6 of North Dakota Century Code chapter 15-10-17 for employees of the board of higher education or state institutions under the jurisdiction of the board of higher education. 2. Effective January 1, 2025, the public employees retirement system defined benefit main plan maintained for employees is closed to new eligible employees. However, an employee who first becomes a participating or deferred member under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52 before January 1, 2025, remains in the defined benefit retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52, regardless of being rehired after December 31, 2024. 3. Except as otherwise provided under this section and section 71-08-02-03, effective January 1, 2025, an eligible employee who begins employment with an employer as defined under subsection 6 of North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52-01 shall participate in the defined contribution retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6 as provided under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6-02.1. 4. This section does not impact an employee to the extent the employee is a participating member in one or more of the following enumerated plans: national guard plan, bureau of criminal investigation plan, public safety plan, judges' plan, highway patrol plan, teachers' fund for retirement plan, or alternative retirement program established under subsection 6 of North Dakota Century Code chapter 15-10-17 for employees of the board of higher education or state institutions under the jurisdiction of the board of higher education. a. A participating or deferred member in the defined contribution retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6 who becomes eligible to participate in a plan enumerated under subsection 4 shall cease participation in the defined contribution retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6 and commence participation in the retirement plan enumerated under subsection 4. b. Unless subsection 2 applies, a participating member of a retirement plan enumerated under subsection 4 who ceases participation in that plan and becomes an eligible employee under the defined contribution retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6 shall participate in the defined contribution retirement plan under North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-52.6. 5. An eligible employee must be enrolled in the plan within the first thirty days of employment.