New Jersey § 53:5a-15

§ 53:5a-15.

For the purposes of sections 12 d., 13 d., and 14 e. 1 a member of the State Police Retirement System shall be deemed to be an active member

for a period of no more than 93 days while on official leave of absence without pay

when such leave is due to any reason other than illness, and for a period of not more

than 1 year in the event of an official leave (a) to fulfill a residency requirement

for an advanced degree, or (b) as a full-time student at an institution of higher

education, and (1) while he is disabled due to sickness or injury arising out of or

in the course of his employment as a member to whom this chapter applies, is not engaged

in any gainful occupation, and is receiving or entitled to receive periodic benefits

(including any commutation of, or substitute for, such benefits) for loss of time

on account of such disability under or by reason of workmen's compensation law, occupational

disease law or similar legislation and has not retired or terminated his membership;

or (2) for a period of no more than 2 years while on an official leave of absence

without pay if satisfactory evidence is presented to the retirement system that such

leave of absence without pay is due to the member's personal illness other than an

illness to which (1) above applies. If a member dies within 30 days after the date of retirement or the date of board

approval, whichever is later, a death benefit shall be payable only if he is deemed

to be an active member in accordance with this section; provided, however, a member

applying for disability benefits shall be deemed an active member if he was covered

by the death benefit provisions of the act at the termination of employment, filed

the application for disability retirement with the retirement system within 30 days

following such termination of employment and dies within 30 days after the date of

retirement or the date of board approval, whichever is later. 1

N.J.S.A. §§ 53:5A-12 to 53:5A-14.