(1) If otherwise eligible, a retired member of any retirement system will receive their first guaranteed annual benefit adjustment (GABA) in their January benefit if they have been receiving a monthly benefit in every month for at least 12 months. Except as provided in (3), commencement of the 12-month period starts the month in which the first benefit payment is made, not the month for which any part of the payment is due.

(2) HPORS retirees hired on or after July 1, 2013 will receive their first GABA in their January benefit if they have been receiving a monthly benefit in every month for at least 36 months. Except as provided in (3), commencement of the 36-month period starts the month in which the first benefit payment is made, not the month for which any part of the payment is due.

(3) In the event a member timely applies to begin retirement in January of any year, but through no fault of the member the January payment is not paid until a later month, the member will be eligible for GABA the January immediately following commencement of payment of the benefit. HPORS retirees hired on or after July 1, 2013, will be eligible the third January following commencement of payment of the benefit.

(a) "Timely applies" is dependent upon individual circumstances, but in any event a fully completed application must be filed on or before the 10th of any month in order to be considered timely for receipt of a retirement benefit payment in that month.

(b) MPORS DROP applications must be filed pursuant to ARM 2.43.4609(4) in order to be considered "timely."