I am familiar with Cal only. Dismissal from state service can take your pension, but I believe you get your contribution
However this is from FindLaw Makes sense you can’t take what that person put in. Once vested you would have property right to the pension.
“Once a person is vested in a pension plan, he or she has the right to keep it. So, if you’re fired after you’ve become vested in the plan, you wouldn’t lose your pension. It’s also possible to be partially vested in a plan, which would mean that you could keep the portion that has vested even if you’re fired.”
30 years ago I don’t think pensions were 401K’s I think they were just a straight pension without contributions I could be wrong, my mom worked for civil service and she was given the option to change to a 401K however she chose not to!!! Her pension was with no contributions!!!