§ 375-a. Non-contributory retirement plan for state employees. a. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, no further contributions to the retirement system, as provided in subdivision b of section three hundred twenty-one of this chapter, shall be required of any member in the employ of the state; provided, however, in the case of persons in the employ of the state who last became members on or after July first, nineteen hundred seventy-three, such required contributions shall be waived only until the payroll period immediately prior to that the first day of which is nearest to July first, nineteen hundred seventy-four.

b. Contributions shall be made to the pension accumulation fund by or on account of the state, as provided in section three hundred sixteen, three hundred seventeen and three hundred forty-two of this chapter, at a rate fixed by the actuary which shall be computed to be sufficient to provide the benefits established by section three hundred seventy-five-c of this chapter on account of members in the employ of the state.

c. Nothing contained in this section shall impair the rights of persons, who became members before August nineteenth, nineteen hundred sixty-six, to make contributions pursuant to subdivision i of section three hundred twenty-one of this chapter.

d. Any member who has elected to contribute at a certain rate of contribution in accordance with the provisions of subdivision j of section three hundred twenty-one of this chapter, shall continue to contribute at such rate until his election under said subdivision is withdrawn.

e. Any member in service on August nineteenth, nineteen hundred sixty-six, may by written notice duly acknowledged and filed with the comptroller on or before August eighteenth, nineteen hundred sixty-seven, elect to contribute to the retirement system. Where a member makes an election to contribute, as herein provided for, he shall contribute to the retirement system as otherwise provided in this chapter. One year or more after the filing of the notice of election to contribute, the member may withdraw such election and elect not to contribute.