A. Any judge or court officer enumerated in R.S. 11:553 who is in office on August 2, 1976, and who does not avail himself of the provisions of this Subpart by timely exercising the option hereinafter provided, and their surviving spouses, shall retain the right to receive those benefits provided for judges and their surviving spouses in accordance with the constitution and the statutes of this state or by local laws pertaining to the respective political subdivisions of the state heretofore provided.
B. No judge or court officer described in R.S. 11:553 who takes office after August 2, 1976, but prior to July 1, 1983, who does not avail himself of the provisions hereof by timely exercising the option hereinafter provided, shall be eligible thereafter to receive any retirement or pension benefits from the state of Louisiana pursuant to or provided by the authority of Section 16 of Article XIV of the Constitution of Louisiana.