Any person other than a veteran who was in the employ of the State prior to January 2, 1955, and who did not join the former "State Employees' Retirement System," may join the retirement system at any time. The person shall have the option of joining the retirement system as a new member upon proper application with no credit for previous service, or of purchasing membership credit for the previous service.
The purchase shall be made in the same manner and be subject to the same terms and conditions provided for the purchase of previous membership service by section 8 of P.L.1954, c.84 (C.43:15A-8).