Should a member cease to be an employee before being eligible for retirement as set out in §§ 8-3501 - 8-3505 on a retirement allowance exceeding one hundred twenty dollars ($120) per annum, otherwise than by death or by retirement under the provisions of chapters 34 to 36, inclusive, of this title, he shall be paid upon filing an application for refund, as soon as practicable within ninety (90) days thereafter, the amount of his contributions together with such proportion of the regular interest credited thereon as the board may allow; provided, however, that no interest shall be payable if separation occurs within five (5) years from the date the employee became a member of the system.
T.C.A. § 8-3425