(a) The payment of benefits to a retiree is not affected by:
(1) the retiree's taking a position included in a class of membership other than a class from which the person retired; or
(2) the retiree's serving the state as an independent contractor.
(b) The payment of benefits to a retiree for service credited in the employee class of membership is not affected by the retiree's taking a position included in the employee class.