(a) A department head, as defined in § 4-5, or any commissioner appointed to office in the executive branch by the Governor with or without the approval of the General Assembly or either branch thereof, who reaches his retirement date, namely, the first day of the month on or after his seventieth birthday, during the term for which he is appointed, may continue in office after such retirement date until the expiration of such term. Any such person who had reached such date prior to his reappointment as such commissioner may serve for the term for which he is so reappointed.

(b) A member who has reached the retirement age of seventy may be continued in his position in state service, if such continuation is approved by the Commissioner of Administrative Services. The appointing authority requesting such continuation shall certify in writing to the Commissioner of Administrative Services that the continuation is desirable for the efficient conduct of the state’s business and that the member is able and qualified to perform the work required. Approval by the Commissioner of Administrative Services of such continuation shall be for a period of one year, which may be renewed by said commissioner upon request by the appointing authority.

(c) A department head, head of an institution or administrator of a state fund may be continued as provided in subsection (b) of this section. A continuation of such employee beyond the age of seventy-three shall be requested by the appointing authority in writing and shall require the approval of the Governor.

(d) A duly appointed and acting messenger or assistant messenger of any constituent court of the Judicial Department who has reached his retirement date may be reemployed, pursuant to § 51-78, in the service of the court in which he has been a messenger at the salary paid him at the time of his retirement. Such reemployment shall continue until such time as the judges of said court terminate the same. Subsection (b) of this section does not apply to any such messenger.

(e) Except as provided in § 5-164a, the existing retirement rights of a member continued under this section after his retirement date shall not be affected by such continuation, and additional retirement rights shall accrue to him. Retirement contributions shall be deducted from his salary during the period of continued employment. The provisions of chapter 67 dealing with examinations, certifications and appointments to and separations from the service shall not apply to any such member.