B. Effective October 1, 1999, is in service on October 1, 1999, had left service prior to October 1, 1999 with or without withdrawing that member's contributions and on or after October 1, 1999 returns to service or is first in service on or after October 1, 1999 and:

(1) Has reached 62 years of age; and

(2) Has at least 5 years of creditable service, which, for the purpose of determining completion of the 5-year requirement, may include creditable service as a member of the Maine Legislative Retirement System under Title 3, section 701, subsection 8, before becoming a member of the retirement system.

Sec. 14. 5 MRSA §17851, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1999, c. 489, §11, is further amended to read:

3. Member with creditable service of 25 years or more whether or not in service at retirement. A member whether or not in service at retirement who has completed 25 or more years of creditable service qualifies for a service retirement benefit if the member retires at any time after completing 25 years of service, which may include, for the purpose of meeting eligibility requirements determining completion of the 25-year requirement, creditable service as a member of the Maine Legislative Retirement System under Title 3, section 701, subsection 8 before becoming a member of the retirement system.

C. Effective October 1, 1999, the number of years required to qualify for a service retirement benefit under this subsection may not be increased for members who on October 1, 1999 have met the creditable service requirement for eligibility to receive a service retirement benefit under subsection 1-B; subsection 2-B; subsection 1-C, paragraph A; subsection 1-C, paragraph B; subsection 2-C, paragraph A; or subsection 2-C, paragraph B, or who, after October 1, 1999, meet the creditable service requirement for eligibility to receive a service retirement benefit under subsection 1-C, paragraph B or subsection 2-C, paragraph B.

Sec. 15. 5 MRSA §17851, sub-§3-A, ¶¶B and C, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 489, §12, are amended to read: