Notwithstanding anything in the plan to the contrary, if a member shall at any time be convicted of a Class A felony or of an offense under any local, state, or federal law that would result in the conviction of a Class A felony in the State of Alabama, all benefits that would otherwise be payable to him or her under the plan shall be forfeited. However, he or she shall be treated under the plan as if he or she had died on the date immediately preceding the conviction for purposes of determining the benefit, if any, payable to his or her eligible family members under Section 45-49A-63.63 if he or she is convicted before his or her annuity starting date or to his or her beneficiary under Section 45-49A-63.81 if he or she is convicted after his or her annuity starting date. For purposes of this section, a Class A felony shall be a Class A felony as defined by the Title 13A, as in effect on the plan's effective date.