Tenn. Code § 65-155
The certificate of intention of a commissioner to retire and the application therefor shall be in writing, addressed to the governor and shall set out the facts pertaining to the service by such commissioner as a member of the Tennessee public service commission, together with any other service as defined by § 65-152(b), the period or periods of time embraced by all such service, and his age. The board of trustees of the public service commissioners' retirement system, as hereinafter established, shall verify the facts and determine if all applicable requirements pertaining to the application for retirement are met and the board of trustees shall indorse the application accordingly and file the application in the division of retirement. The board of trustees shall thereafter authorize payment of benefits to which the retired commissioner is entitled under the provisions of §§ 65-151 - 65-168.
T.C.A. § 65-155