Sec. 8. (a) A member who:
(1) has ceased employment in the public schools; and
(2) is eligible for retirement benefits;
shall designate a retirement date as described in IC 5-10.2-4-1.
(b) A member who chooses to begin receiving retirement benefits at the time the member ceases employment is entitled to receive the proportionate amount of the member's monthly benefit for the month in which the cessation occurred.
(c) Annually the board may require a member to execute an affidavit stating the member's eligibility for a retirement benefit.