The continuance of coverage after retirement of any employee shall be provided at such rates and under the conditions as shall be prescribed in the contract subject, however, to the requirements set forth in section 8 of P.L. 1979, c. 391 (C. 18A:16-19). The contribution required of any retired employee toward the cost of such coverage may be paid by the employee to the local board of education or in such other manner as the local board of education shall direct.
N.J.S. § 18A:16-18