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HRS §88-42

Who must join the retirement system

This section says who must join the state retirement system. Most state and county workers must join when hired. Per diem workers hired after 1951 must join, but those hired earlier can opt out. Legislators can choose to join or be excluded.

employeespersonal representatives

The statute, as written — Membership generally

Except as otherwise provided in this part, all employees of the Territory or any county on July 1, 1945, shall be members of the system on that date, and all persons who thereafter enter or reenter the service of the State or any county shall become members at the time of their entry or reentry. Per diem workers shall become eligible for membership on January 1, 1952, and all persons who are employed as per diem workers after December 31, 1951, shall become members of the system. Any person who was a per diem worker before January 1, 1952, so long as the person is employed as a per diem worker, shall not be required to become a member or to remain a member if the person has elected before October 2, 1953, to withdraw as a member. Members of the legislature shall become eligible for membership on July 1, 1951. Any member of the legislature in service on July 1, 1951, or thereafter entering the legislature, shall become a member or elect to be excluded from membership in the system as provided in section 88-42.6.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.