Teachers who retired between July 1, 1940 and July 1, 1945 under some other retirement or pension fund and who, at the time of their retirement, had taught for thirty-five years or more shall be eligible for all of the benefits provided under the System on the same terms and conditions that apply to teachers who retire after July 1, 1945. The fact that any such teacher shall have received benefits after his retirement since July 1, 1940 from or under any other retirement or pension fund shall not make such teacher ineligible to come under the provisions of this paragraph, but no such teacher shall draw or receive benefits under the System when he is at the same time receiving benefits from or under any other retirement or pension fund and no such teacher shall be entitled to benefits under the System unless he filed application therefor prior to July 1, 1949.

Subject to the provisions of the preceding paragraph all teachers who, prior to July 1, 1945, shall have taught for a period of thirty-five years, regardless of whether they were employed on April 26, 1945 or subsequently, shall be eligible to become members of the System and shall be entitled to all benefits therefrom, including prior service credit, provided that no benefits shall be payable prior to the date of application for membership. In the calculation of the thirty-five years, teaching in adult schools, night schools and schools for illiterates and work in public school libraries shall be deemed to be equivalent to teaching in public schools.