An absolute coverage group includes all positions not covered by a retirement system
either on September 1, 1954, on the applicable date of the State's Agreement, or Modification
to the State's Agreement (see Section 218(e)(2) of the Social Security Act (Act),
Effective Dates of Coverage SL 30001.375B, and Designated Date for Retroactivity Purposes SL 40001.435).
Although Section 218(b)(5) provides a general definition applicable to all coverage
groups, absolute coverage groups are occasionally referred to as "(b)(5)" coverage
groups.
The State does not need the consent of the affected employees to establish an absolute
coverage group. An absolute coverage group does not include positions that are required
to be or are optionally excluded from coverage under a Section 218 Agreement. Under
certain circumstances, ineligibles (persons in positions under a retirement system
but personally disqualified from membership) may be covered as part of the absolute
coverage group (see SL 30001.340 for a discussion of retirement system ineligibles).
Once an absolute coverage group obtains coverage by a Section 218 Agreement or Modification,
the absolute coverage positions remain covered even if a retirement system later covers
those positions.