57.949.  Definitions. — As used in sections 57.949 to 57.997, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended, the following words and terms shall mean:

  (1)  "Annuity", annual payments, made in equal monthly installments, to a retired member from funds provided for, in, or authorized by, the provisions of sections 57.949 to 57.997;

  (2)  "Average final compensation", the average of a member's compensation for his three highest paid years;

  (3)  "Board of directors" or "board", the board of directors established by the provisions of sections 57.949 to 57.997;

  (4)  "Compensation", all salary and other compensation payable by a county to an employee for personal services rendered as an employee, but not including travel and mileage reimbursement, uniform allowance, or housing allowance;

  (5)  "County", each county in the state, except the City of St. Louis and those counties of the first class having a charter form of government;

  (6)  "Creditable service", the sum of both membership service and creditable prior service;

  (7)  "Effective date of the establishment of the system", the date the governor declares the system established pursuant to section 57.958;

  (8)  "Employee", an elective or appointive county sheriff who is employed by a county;

  (9)  "Member", any active sheriff of the system, any former sheriff receiving retirement benefits from the system, any former sheriff that is vested in the system but is not receiving benefits, any sheriff on disability leave, and for the purposes of section 57.968 only, any surviving spouse who receives a benefit from the system;

  (10)  "Membership service", service as a sheriff of a county after becoming a member that is creditable in determining the amount of the member's benefits under this system;

  (11)  "Prior service", service of a member rendered prior to the effective date of the establishment of the system which is creditable under section 57.973;

  (12)  "Retirement system" or "system", the sheriffs' retirement system authorized by the provisions of sections 57.949 to 57.997.