All faculty members or their surviving spouses who are declared eligible by the commissioner of education to receive the retirement benefits provided by this article shall receive a monthly benefit provided in this article effective the first month after the commissioner declares the faculty member or surviving spouse so eligible. All faculty members or their surviving spouses receiving retirement benefits under this article before June 8, 1967, shall receive the increased benefits provided in this article effective on or after the first month following said date without being required further to establish eligibility to receive such retirement benefits.L. 54: p. 161, § 3. CRS 53: § 124-17-3. L. 57: p. 718, § 1. C.R.S. 1963: § 124-16-3. L. 67: p. 728, § 1.