Benefits payable upon death of retired member.

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  • (1)
    • (a) The death benefit payable to a retiree's surviving spouse is an allowance equal to 65% of the allowance which was being paid to the retiree at the time of death.
    • (b) The effective date of the accrual of this allowance is the first day of the month following the month in which the retiree died.
  • (2)
    • (a) Notwithstanding the amount of the allowance under Subsection (1), at the time of retirement, a retiree may elect to increase the spousal death benefit up to 75% of an allowance computed in accordance with Section 49-17-402.
    • (b) If an election is made under Subsection (2)(a), the member's allowance shall be reduced to reflect the actuarial equivalent necessary to pay for the increased spousal death benefit above 65%.
  • (3)
    • (a) A surviving spouse who qualifies for a monthly benefit under this section shall apply in writing to the office.
    • (b) The allowance shall begin on the first day of the month following the month in which the:
      • (i) member or participant died, if the application is received by the office within 90 days of the date of death of the member or participant; or
      • (ii) application is received by the office, if the application is received by the office more than 90 days after the date of death of the member or participant.




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