Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 38-846.01 (2026)

38-846.01. Deferred annuity; exception

A. If any member who has at least ten years of credited service terminates employment for reasons other than retirement or disability, the member may elect to receive a deferred annuity, except that if the annuitant withdraws all or part of the annuitant's accumulated contributions in the system all rights in and to a deferred annuity shall be forfeited by the annuitant.  A deferred annuity is a lifetime monthly payment actuarially equivalent to the annuitant's accumulated contributions in the system plus an equal amount paid by the employer and shall commence on application on or after the sixty-second birthday of the annuitant.  The annuity is not a retirement benefit and annuitants are not entitled to receive any amount prescribed by section 38-845, subsection G or section 38-846, 38-856.05 or 38-857.

B. This section does not apply to a member who becomes a member of the system on or after January 1, 2012.  For a member who is hired on or after January 1, 2012 and before July 1, 2017, a member who attains a normal retirement date is eligible for retirement and a retirement benefit even if the member terminates employment with an employer before the age requirement for normal retirement if the member attains the service requirement for normal retirement.  For a member who is hired on or after July 1, 2017, a member who attains a normal retirement date is eligible for retirement and a retirement benefit even if the member terminates employment with an employer before the age requirement for normal retirement if the member attains the credited service requirement for normal retirement.  Once a member described in this subsection reaches the normal retirement age, the member may receive payments made under section 38-845.