The coverage of any employee, and of his dependents, if any, shall cease upon the discontinuance of his employment or upon cessation of active full-time employment in the classes eligible for coverage subject to such provision as may be made in any contract by his employer for limited continuance of coverage during disability, part-time employment, leave of absence other than leave for military service or layoff, and for continuance of coverage after retirement.
N.J.S. § 40A:10-20