Tenn. Code § 8-3413
Notwithstanding any provision in the Tennessee State Retirement Law to the contrary, any person, without prior service, who becomes a fulltime permanent employee on or after July 1, 1963, and is eligible for membership, shall become a member of the retirement system; provided, however, that this § 8-3413 shall not apply to any person, without prior service, who became an employee after July 1, 1949, and before July 1, 1963, and who became a member of the retirement system before July 1, 1963. It is further provided, however, that members and elected or appointed officials of the general assembly shall have the option of entering or not entering the retirement system. It is further provided that any person who has been a member of the county paid judges retirement system may elect to participate in the county paid judges retirement system if he meets the eligibility requirements set out in § 17-517, or shall have the option of not entering this retirement system by electing to participate or remain in the county paid judges retirement system.
T.C.A. § 8-3413