(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Retirement System for Members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina (GARS) established pursuant to this chapter is closed to nonmembers and persons who otherwise would have been required or eligible to become members of GARS, instead shall join the South Carolina Retirement System or the State Optional Retirement Program in the manner provided by law.

(B) For purposes of this section, a "nonmember" is an individual first elected to serve in the General Assembly at or after the general election of 2012.

(C) Nothing in this section may be construed to alter or otherwise diminish the rights of persons who are active contributing members or special contributing members of the Retirement System for Members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina or who are retired members of that system or who are beneficiaries of deceased members of that system.