(a) Any state employee who, at the time of his retirement is a member of and holds a policy in any state group hospitalization or health insurance plan, may in writing authorize the Secretary-Treasurer of the state retirement system to withhold from his retirement pay a sufficient sum or amount to pay the premium on such policy.
(b) The Secretary-Treasurer of the state Employees’ Retirement System, when authorized by a retired employee, is hereby authorized to withhold from the retirement pay of such employee a sufficient amount to pay the premium on such policy and remit the same to the insurance carrier.