1.  Payment.  For each member, the State shall pay annually into the fund an amount known as the employer contribution.  

2.  Employer contribution rate.  The rate of the employer contribution is fixed on the basis of the assets and liabilities of the Judicial Retirement Program as shown by actuarial valuation and is expressed as a percentage of the annual earnable compensation of each member.  

3.  State contribution procedure.  The board of trustees shall submit budget estimates to the State Budget Officer in accordance with Title 5, section 1665. On each payroll for judges from which retirement contributions are deducted, the State Controller shall cause a charge to be made of an amount or amounts in payment of the state costs of all charges related to the Judicial Retirement Program and which must be credited to the appropriate accounts of the fund. Percentage rates to be predetermined by the actuary and approved by the board of trustees must be applied to the total gross salaries of members appearing on those payrolls and the resultant charges must be periodically credited to the retirement fund.  

4.  Minimum amount of employer contribution.  The aggregate payment by the State into the fund must be at least sufficient to provide the benefits payable out of the fund and the administrative operating expenses of the Judicial Retirement Program during the current year.