At no time shall any provision or implementation of such provision pertaining to DROP be contrary to the rules and regulations of the federal law governing governmental plans. DROP is intended to operate in accordance with Section 415 and other applicable sections of the United States Internal Revenue Code. Any provision herein found in conflict with an applicable provision of the Internal Revenue Code shall be null and void. The Employees' Board of Control is hereby authorized to interpret this article so as to achieve compliance with any applicable provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code.
Ala. Code § 36-27-172 (1975)