This section gives a surviving spouse benefits when a fund member dies, with the benefit type depending on the member’s service and retirement eligibility.
SUBPART C. SURVIVORS' BENEFITS §1441. Surviving spouse's benefit A. If a member of this fund dies in service with less than twelve years of creditable service, and leaves a surviving spouse, his accumulated contributions shall be paid to the surviving spouse. B. If a member dies and has twelve or more years of creditable service and is not eligible for retirement, the surviving spouse shall receive an automatic optional benefit which is equal to the joint and survivorship amounts provided in Option 2 as provided in R.S. 11:1423, which shall cease upon a subsequent remarriage, or a refund of the member's accumulated contributions, whichever the spouse elects to receive. C. If a member dies and is eligible for retirement, the surviving spouse shall receive an automatic optional benefit which is equal to the Option 2 benefits provided for in R.S. 11:1423, which shall not terminate upon a subsequent remarriage. D. Benefits set forth in Subsection B of this Section shall cease upon remarriage and shall resume upon a subsequent divorce or death of a new spouse. The spouse shall be entitled to receive a monthly benefit equal to the amount being received prior to remarriage. E. If an active, contributing member dies and meets the eligibility requirements provided in R.S. 11:1456.1(B) on the day of his death and the member's surviving spouse is eligible for benefits payable pursuant to Subsection C of this Section, which are equal to the Option 2 benefits provided for in R.S. 11:1423, the surviving spouse may elect to receive such benefits in the same manner as described in R.S. 11:1456.1, as if the member had retired on the day following the member's death and elected Back-Deferred Retirement Option Program benefits, and for a Back-DROP period selected by the surviving spouse which shall not exceed the duration limitations included in R.S. 11:1456.1(C). The surviving spouse shall make the elections provided for in this Subsection at the time he applies for survivor benefits. Acts 1989, No. 545, §1, eff. July 5, 1989; Redesignated from R.S. 47:8062 by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3, eff. June 25, 1991; Acts 2017, No. 19, §1, eff. June 3, 2017.