N.J. Stat. § 18A:66-69
Any other provision of this article notwithstanding, (a) any member who is not covered under the old-age and survivors insurance provisions of Title II of the Federal Social Security Act as a teacher shall not be eligible for the death benefit provisions of sections 18A:66-36, 18A:66-37, 18A:66-38, 18A:66-41, 18A:66-42, 18A:66-44, 18A:66-46e, and 18A:66-53, except for the payment of accumulated deductions together with regular interest; (b) no beneficiary of a pensioner who enrolled as a member on or after July 1, 1971 and who retired for any reason other than disability shall be entitled to receive benefits pursuant to the noncontributory death benefit coverages provided by this article if the pensioner had less than 10 years of service credit for retirement purposes at the time of retirement; (c) no member or beneficiary shall be entitled to receive a monthly retirement allowance or other benefit payable pursuant to this article unless the amount of the allowance or benefit would be at least $25.00 per month.
N.J.S. § 18A:66-69