(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, except as provided in subsection (b), beginning on the first day of the plan year beginning in 1996, the annual earnings of a person that may be taken into account in any year for any purpose under this Code shall not exceed the maximum dollar limitation specified in Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as that Section may be amended from time to time and as that compensation limit may be adjusted from time to time by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
     (b) In the case of a person who first began participating in a pension fund or retirement system governed by this Code before the first day of the plan year beginning in 1996, the dollar limitation under Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 does not apply to the extent that the earnings that may be taken into account by that fund or system under this Code would be reduced below the amount that was allowed to be taken into account under its governing Article of this Code or under Article 1 or Article 20 of this Code, as those Articles were in effect on July 1, 1993.
     (c) This Section takes effect on December 31, 1995.