The board shall pay all retirement benefits to which members of the Public Employees Retirement System who retired prior to March 27, 1953, may be entitled under the provisions of chapter 401, Oregon Laws 1945, as amended, and shall give full recognition to all rights to which such members are entitled under said law. The board also shall determine and pay in accordance with the provisions of that law retirement benefits to which members of the Public Employees Retirement System are entitled by the provisions of said law. [1953 c.180 § 4]