N.J. Stat. § 18A:66-10
Any person who was employed as a teacher prior to January 2, 1955 and who did not join the Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund may join at any time. The person shall have the option of joining the retirement system as a new member upon proper application with no credit for previous service, or of purchasing membership credit for this previous service. The purchase shall be made in the same manner and be subject to the same terms and conditions provided for the purchase of previous membership service by N.J.S. 18A:66-9.
Any person coming under the provisions of this section shall not be allowed any of the death benefits established by N.J.S. 18A:66-38, N.J.S. 18A:66-41, N.J.S. 18A:66-42, N.J.S. 18A:66-44, N.J.S. 18A:66-46 and N.J.S. 18A:66-53 unless he becomes a member within 12 months after January 1, 1956, or furnishes satisfactory evidence of insurability.
N.J.S. § 18A:66-10