New Jersey § 43:16a-3

§ 43:16a-3.

(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 1 or article 4 of chapter 10 of Title 43 of the Revised Statutes 2 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. 1

N.J.S.A. § 43:16-1 et seq. 2

N.J.S.A. § 43:10-36 et seq.