In order to extend to employees of the State of Oregon, all the school districts and all the political subdivisions of the state participating in the Public Employees Retirement System immediately prior to March 27, 1953, and to the dependents and survivors of such employees, the basic protection accorded to others by the Old Age and Survivors Insurance system embodied in title 2 for the federal Social Security Act, it hereby is declared to be the policy of this state, subject to the limitations of ORS § 237.412 to 237.418, that such action be taken, and hereby it is expressly authorized, as to provide such protection to employees of the state and its political subdivisions on as broad a basis as is permitted under applicable federal law. [1953 c.180 § 1]