(a) Any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the right to the service retirement benefit under this chapter shall vest in a member who withdraws from service prior to attaining 60 years of age, provided that he has completed at least ten years of creditable service and has not withdrawn his contributions. Such member shall, upon filing an application as provided in this chapter, become entitled to service retirement benefit upon his attainment of the age of 60 or at his option at any date subsequent thereto. The service retirement benefit of any such member shall be as set forth in this chapter, based on the total credits accrued at the date of his withdrawal from service; or, if such member should die before filing such application, the maximum benefits payable shall be limited to the member's accumulated contributions at the time of his withdrawal from service; and nothing in this chapter shall be construed as providing for any benefits prior to attaining age 60, other than a return of the contributions in case of death. Any other provisions of this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, this Code section shall inure retroactively to the benefit of all members who completed at least 20 years' creditable service prior to January 1, 1954, and who have not withdrawn their contributions.

(b) If a member returns to active service in the public schools or the University System of Georgia for one year or more prior to age 60, he may reestablish such credits that he had at the time he withdrew from active service and such credits in which he had a vested right to a service retirement benefit under this Code section by paying a fee of 25 percent of his last annual salary prior to freezing his credits or the applicable accrued regular interest on his annuity account from the date of freezing to date of payment, whichever is greater.