---
id: ADR-MBR-MEM-008
title: Retain Closed Effective Coverage
product_area: membership
module: memberships
revision: 1
status: proposed
design_intent: proposed
source_sha:
  services-membership: 5994c270e8a37a30f848e99ba5b5ee6b87c08893
  react-console: baf6dae382d6f41dce976c7f848667ccc37e076f
decision: >-
  Effective coverage is closed and retained, while release or eligible
  cancellation can delete never-effective first-purchase records without
  deleting their claim audit.
constrains:
  - DOM-MBR-MEM-002
  - STATE-MBR-MEM-003
  - STATE-MBR-MEM-004
  - WF-MBR-MEM-004
  - WF-MBR-MEM-013
  - WF-MBR-MEM-014
origin: >-
  1.0's delete-if-first rule and the lifecycle chapter's cancellation section,
  as the cancellation and owner functions record them
alternatives:
  - option: Delete a cancelled term
    why_not: >-
      Deleting effective periods would remove evidence needed for earlier-known
      reports.
  - option: Keep even a never-fulfilled reservation's membership
    why_not: >-
      Keeping every abandoned initial reservation would leave otherwise empty
      member holdings.
consequences:
  - >-
    Supported operations use another period rather than reopening a closed
    period.
  - >-
    Rejected applications retain their holding, differing from eligible
    first-purchase cleanup.
  - Commerce and Accounting perform any subsequent refund work.
supersedes: []
evidence:
  - >-
    services-membership at 5994c270:
    modules/commerce-participant/services/cancellation/cancellation.ts;
    db/migrations/20261018044117_commerce_participant.sql:commerce_release_claims;
    modules/memberships/services/operations/staff-operations.ts:terminateTerm
---

# Retain Closed Effective Coverage

## Context

Cancellation, lapse and correction must remain explainable in historical reads. Pending first-purchase cleanup has different retention needs from effective coverage.

## Decision

Effective coverage is closed and retained, while release or eligible cancellation can delete never-effective first-purchase records without deleting their claim audit.

## Alternatives Considered

Delete a cancelled term: Deleting effective periods would remove evidence needed for earlier-known reports.

Keep even a never-fulfilled reservation's membership: Keeping every abandoned initial reservation would leave otherwise empty member holdings.

## Consequences

Supported operations use another period rather than reopening a closed period. Rejected applications retain their holding, differing from eligible first-purchase cleanup. Commerce and Accounting perform any subsequent refund work.