3. a. A retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran pursuant to this act, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, shall be eligible to receive the special veterans’ retirement allowance pursuant to N.J.S. 18A:66-71 in lieu of the retirement allowance that a retiree, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, is receiving on the effective date of this act.

b. The provisions of section 7 of P.L.1969, c.169 (C. 43:3B-8) shall not apply to the benefit increase that results from this 1991 amendatory and supplementary act, and the annual cost of living adjustment received by widows and widowers under P.L.1958, c.143 (C. 43:3B-1 et seq) shall be calculated as of the date of retirement of a retiree of the system. The State shall pay the additional costs arising from any increase in the cost of living adjustment received by a retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran as a result of this act or the surviving spouse of a retiree.

c. No retiree of the system who meets the definition of a veteran pursuant to this act, or the surviving spouse of a retiree, shall be granted a retroactive payment based upon the difference between the retirement allowance that the retiree of the system, or the surviving spouse of the retiree, would have received if that retiree of the system had met the definition of a veteran on the date of retirement and the retirement allowance that the retiree of the system, or the surviving spouse of the retiree, has received from the date of retirement to the effective date of this act.

L.1991,c.390,s.3.