52As is apparent from the wording of that provision, it merely lays down an option which every official is free to decide whether or not to exercise. Consequently, an official’s decision not to exercise that option cannot result in the loss of his rights acquired by virtue of his contributions to the national social security scheme of which he was a member before entering the service of the European Union without changing that option into an obligation, which would run counter to the unequivocal wording of that provision and therefore cannot be allowed.
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