Should any beneficiary return to the service of the State, whether as a member of the General Assembly or otherwise, his retirement allowance shall cease and any optional election shall be null and void.

If such return is as a member of the General Assembly, he shall be a contributing member of the System, and shall be credited with all service standing to his credit at the time of his retirement; the retirement allowance payable upon his subsequent retirement shall be based on the total of his credited service rendered before and after his return to service.

If such return is in a position other than as a member of the General Assembly, he shall, upon cessation of service in such position or positions, be entitled to apply for a retirement allowance hereunder at the same rate to which he was previously entitled, disregarding any reduction therein resulting from a previous election of an option.

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the return to service is in a position other than as a member of the General Assembly, the member shall be subject to the same earnings limitation as under the South Carolina Retirement System.