“Be retired on half pay” means retired on a pension equal to one-half of the average annual salary during any 3 fiscal years, of the employee’s membership, for which contributions were made, which years shall be selected in such manner as to provide for the largest possible benefit to the retirant, or surviving spouse or children, as the case may be; provided, however, that nothing in this amendatory act shall serve to reduce any employee’s pension below the amount to which he would have been entitled had he been eligible to apply for his pension prior to the effective date of this amendatory act.

“Salary” or “average annual compensation,” when used for the purpose of computing benefits under this act, means the average annual salary for which contributions are made during any 3 fiscal years of the employee’s membership providing the largest possible benefit to the member or surviving spouse or children. If the total service is less than 3 years, the salary shall be that paid for the entire period of membership. “Salary” means the base compensation for services as an employee, including normal and longevity increments earned in accordance with the established salary policies of the employer for all employees in the same position, but shall not include individual salary adjustments which are granted primarily in anticipation of the member’s retirement or additional remuneration for performing temporary or extra curricular duties beyond the regular workday or the regular work year. In cases where salary includes maintenance, the retirement system shall fix the value of that part of the salary not paid in money which shall be considered under this act.

“County employee” or “employee” means and includes all employees and officers in service in any county of the first class, and of any county board, body or commission maintained out of county funds in a county of the first class, including laborers recognized as permanent laborers, whether paid on an hourly, daily, monthly or annual basis (if being the intent to exclude transient labor from the operation of this article), but does not include any member of the police or fire department. The pension commission may determine whether or not the employment of an employee is permanent within the meaning of this article. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 43:1-1 of this Title, any person heretofore or hereafter accepting any employment in the county under the age of 45 years shall be eligible to join as a “county employee” or “employee” as hereinabove defined.

“Widow” means the woman to whom a member was married at least 5 years before the date of his death and to whom he continued to be married until the date of his death. The eligibility of such a widow to receive a pension provided in this act will be considered terminated by the marriage of the widow subsequent to the member’s death. In the event of the payment of an accidental death benefit, the 5-year qualification shall be waived.

“Widower” means the man to whom a member was married at least 5 years before the date of her death and to whom she continued to be married until the date of her death. The eligibility of such a widower to receive a pension provided in this act will be considered terminated by marriage of the widower subsequent to the death of the member. In the event of the payment of an accidental death benefit, the 5-year qualification shall be waived.

Amended by L.1939, c. 206, p. 590, s. 1; L.1939, c. 394, p. 938, s. 1; L.1973, c. 345, s. 1, eff. Dec. 27, 1973; L.1976, c. 106, s. 1, eff. Oct. 18, 1976; L.1979, c. 242, s. 1.