If a member has completed at least eight (8) years of credited service at the time of his termination of employment he may elect to receive, in lieu of all other benefits he is eligible to receive, either (a) or (b) as follows:(a) a refund of the contributions made by the member; or(b) a monthly deferred vested retirement benefit, which shall be payable on his normal retirement date; provided he is then living, and on the first day of each month thereafter during his lifetime, computed in the same manner set forth in § 17-522, except that such computation shall be made as of his date of termination of employment; provided, however, that if the date of death of such member occurs prior to his normal retirement date, his beneficiary shall receive a refund of the member's contributions credited to such deceased member.Notwithstanding anything in § 17-529 or in this section to the contrary, if the termination of employment of a member is by impeachment or other removal from office, he shall not be entitled to any benefit under this system except a refund of contributions made by the member. he termination of employment of a member is by impeachment or other removal from office, he shall not be entitled to any benefit under this system except a refund of contributions made by the member. If a member whose contributions have not been refunded under § 17-529 or this section is reemployed as a judge, his credited service shall not be deemed to have been interrupted, but shall not include any time during which he was not a judge. This section shall not apply if a member terminates employment and elects to participate in accordance with § 17-517.Acts 1963, ch. 206, § 30; 1970 (Adj. S.), ch. 556, § 11; 1972 (Adj. S.), ch. 809, § 4.
Tennessee Legal Code