Notwithstanding the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 74-4902 and 74-4911 to the contrary, an employee of a participating employer who was first employed August 1, 1971, who was born March 28, 1918, and who is employed by the participating employer on the effective date of this act, shall be an eligible member of the Kansas public employees retirement system as of August 1, 1971, upon the payment of appropriate employer and employee contributions and shall be entitled to receive full credit for employment with said participating employer from August 1, 1971.