Membership; termination; return of contributions; continuance on return

(1) After the date of the establishment of this retirement system, any person becoming a full-time policeman or fireman in a county or municipality or fire district located in a township where, prior to the date this act takes effect, a pension under chapter 16 of Title 43 or article 4 of chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Revised Statutes for policemen or firemen has been established, shall become a member of this retirement system as a condition of his employment; he will be enrolled provided, that his age at becoming such full-time policeman or fireman is not over 35 years or if such person shall have met the requirements at the announced closing date of a civil service examination for such position and was appointed during the existence of the civil service list promulgated as a result of such examination; and further provided, that he shall furnish such evidence of good health at the time of becoming a member as the retirement system shall require. (2) After the date upon which this act becomes effective in any county, municipality or political subdivision thereof, pursuant to a referendum as hereinafter provided (a) any person becoming a full-time policeman or fireman in any such county, municipality or political subdivision shall become a member of this retirement system as a condition of his employment; he will be enrolled provided, that his age at becoming such full-time policeman or fireman is not over 35 years; and provided further, that he shall furnish such evidence of good health at the time of becoming a member as the retirement system shall require; and (b) any person in service as a full-time policeman or fireman in any such county, municipality or political subdivision on the date this act becomes effective therein who, within the time and in the manner permitted by this act, elects to become a member of this retirement system, shall become such member. (3) Should any member withdraw his aggregate contributions, or become a beneficiary or die, or if more than 2 years have elapsed from the date of his last contributions to the system, he shall thereupon cease to be a member. (4) Should any member resign or be dismissed from the police or fire service of the employing agency and not make application for the return of his aggregate contributions, the retirement system shall upon receiving conclusive advice of such separation, terminate the membership. The employees' contributions from memberships so terminated shall be held by the retirement system and returned to the employee without interest when application for such return is made. (5) If a member of the retirement system has been discontinued from service through no fault of his own or through leave of absence granted by his employer or permitted by any law of this State and he has not withdrawn his accumulated deductions, his membership may continue, notwithstanding any provisions of this article if such member returns to service within a period of 5 years from the date of his discontinuance from service.