The state treasurer may, in his discretion, determine to purchase group insurance coverage for the noncontributory death benefit provisions as provided in this article, or may determine not to purchase any group insurance coverage for the death benefit provisions heretofore mentioned. The board of trustees of the teachers' pension and annuity fund may, in its discretion, determine to purchase group insurance coverage for additional death benefit coverage as provided for in section 18A:66-53 or may also, in its discretion, determine not to purchase any contributory group insurance coverage for the additional death benefit provisions provided in section 18A:66-53.
N.J.S. § 18A:66-76