Section 23587 - Eligibility for benefits(a) Upon termination of service and the filing of the proper application with the board the following members shall be entitled to a pension:(i) any members who on or after January 1, 1975, shall have had at least eight years of credited service as determined in section 6 and shall have attained age 60; and(ii) employees who were members of the fund prior to January 1, 1975, and who have completed at least 25 years of credited service as determined in section 6 and shall have attained age 50.(b) Upon termination of service on or after January 1, 1975, any member who has at least eight years of credited service and has attained age 50, shall, upon filing of the proper application with the board, be entitled to receive a deferred pension commencing upon attainment of age 60, or an early reduced pension.(c) On or after January 1, 1975, any member who suffers a total and permanent disability shall upon the filing of a proper application with the board, be entitled to receive a disability pension if his disability is sustained in the actual performance of duty regardless of his length of service or if his disability is incurred not in the performance of duty and provided he has at least eight years of credited service. Payments thereof shall be made except under the following conditions: (1) Once a year the board may require such pensioner to undergo a medical examination by three physicians appointed by the board, and should such physicians thereupon report and certify to the board that the member is no longer incapacitated to perform his duties then his disability annuity shall cease.(2) Any pensioner, who has been receiving disability benefits for at least two years, and in the opinion of three qualified physicians appointed by the board, is capable of performing gainful alternate employment with the city, may be offered, at the discretion of the board, such gainful alternate employment at a salary equal to his former salary. If the pensioner refuses such gainful alternate employment with the city, the board may discontinue all disability payments to the pensioner.(d) On or after January 1, 1975, any member who terminates service after having attained age 40 with eight or more years of credited service who continues making contributions until attainment of age 50 as provided in section 4(a) shall be eligible to receive a pension.(e) Any member upon attainment of age 50 who has complied with the provisions of section 6(d) and who files a proper application with the board shall be eligible to receive a pension. 1975, Aug. 1, P.L. 169, No. 87, § 7, effective Jan. 1, 1975.