(a) Any person who is a retired teacher, and retired under the provisions of the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama, and who subsequent to said retirement becomes the acting President of the University of Alabama, may elect to resume his participation in the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama.
(b) Should any person make such election as set forth in subsection (a) of this section, his retirement benefits shall cease and the reserves remaining for his pension and annuity and all his service credits shall be transferred to the appropriate funds and accounts maintained for active members. Upon restoration to active service the member shall receive full rights, privileges and benefits under the Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama for his total years of service thereunder.