If a person's membership ceases other than by death or retirement from this retirement system, the amount of his or her accumulated contributions to this retirement system shall be payable to the member upon such person's request after the date the person has terminated employment with a school system, institution of higher learning, or agency covered by this retirement system. The board of trustees may allow a person requesting such payment of accumulated contributions to elect to have the taxable portion of such payment made directly to an eligible retirement plan as defined in the federal Internal Revenue Code.