A member, who shall have served as a member of the Legislature for at least 8 years and having made contributions therefor to the retirement system and who ceases to be a member of the Legislature for any reason other than death before reaching age 60, may, upon termination of such service as a member of the Legislature and all other public service covered by the retirement system elect to receive, in lieu of the payment provided in P.L. 1954, c. 84, s. 41a (C. 43:15A-41a):
The benefit payable pursuant to this section shall be subject to the maximum allowance provisions of section 4 of this supplementary act.
The provisions for the exercise of optional privileges, the payment of accumulated contributions in the event of death before attaining service retirement age, and the death benefit in the event of death following retirement, shall be those stipulated in P.L. 1954, c. 84, s. 38 (C. 43:15A-38) in the case of any member of the Legislature retiring under the provisions of this section.
N.J.S. § 43:15A-139