§ 763a–1. Retirement, exceptions for age and period of service

• (1) reach the age of sixty-four years prior to July 1, 1940 , or
• (2) be the occupant of an office or position abolished prior to July 1, 1940 , may in the discretion of the head of his executive department be retired with annual compensation as provided in said section: Provided, however , That no such officer or employee shall be retired hereunder unless he shall have been in the service of the Government not less than thirty years at the time of retirement. Any officer or employee to whom this section applies who is not retired hereunder prior to reaching the age of sixty-five years shall, upon reaching such age, become eligible for retirement in accordance with the provisions of said section 763 of this title , and may not be retired under the provisions of this section. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to affect the application of said section to any officer or employee of the Lighthouse Service to whom this section does not apply.