(a) General rule.--A person who first becomes a school employee and an active member, or a person who first becomes a multiple service member who is a State employee and a member of the State Employees' Retirement System, on or after the effective date of this subsection and who is eligible to become a Class T-E member may elect to become a member of Class T-F.
(b) Time for making election.--A member must elect to become a Class T-F member by filing a written election with the board within 45 days of notification by the board that such member is eligible for such election. A school employee who is eligible to elect to become a Class T-F member who begins USERRA leave during the election period without having elected Class T-F membership may make the election within 45 days after being reemployed from USERRA leave.
(c) Effect of election.--An election to become a Class T-F member shall be irrevocable and shall commence from the original date of eligibility. A member who elects Class T-F membership shall receive Class T-F service credit on any and all future service, regardless of whether the member terminates service or has a break in service.
(d) Effect of failure to make election.--If a member fails to timely file an election to become a Class T-F member, then the member shall be enrolled as a member of Class T-E and the member shall never be able to elect Class T-F service, regardless of whether the member terminates service or has a break in service.