§ 2-88.10. Death benefits.

(a)

In the event of the death of a member, whether or not vested in the plan, from a cause arising in the course of the member's employment with the city, the member's designated beneficiary shall receive a benefit equal to twenty (20) percent of the member's final monthly compensation until the death of the designated beneficiary. If there is no surviving designated beneficiary, or if the surviving designated beneficiary dies, then payment shall be made to the children of the member, then under the age of eighteen (18) years, in equal shares, until the youngest of them shall reach the age of eighteen (18). The benefit shall be divided equally among the surviving children who are under the age of eighteen (18) years. If the member is not survived by the designated beneficiary or child under the age of eighteen (18), the benefit provided in this section shall be payable in the form of a ten (10) year certain benefit to the member's estate.

(b)

In the event of the death of a member, who is eligible for early or normal retirement, from a cause other than the course of the member's employment with the city, the member's designated beneficiary shall be paid a benefit equal to a fifty (50) percent joint and survivorship option until the death of the beneficiary. If the member has not designated a beneficiary, the member's surviving spouse, if any, shall be deemed the member's beneficiary. If the member has not designated a beneficiary and there is no surviving spouse, the member's minor children, if any, shall receive a ten (10) year certain benefit, in equal shares, until the youngest of them shall reach age eighteen (18); provided, however, that if one hundred twenty (120) payments have not been received, the benefit shall continue until the one hundred twentieth payment. If no beneficiary has been designated and the member is not survived by a spouse or minor children, the benefit provided in this section shall be payable to the member's estate as a lump sum of the present value of a ten (10) year certain benefit.

(c)

In the case of a death or disability occurring on or after January 1, 2007, if a member dies while performing qualified military service, the survivors of the member are entitled to any additional benefits (other than benefit accruals relating to the period of qualified military service) provided under the plan as if the member had resumed and then terminated employment by the city on the account of death.

(d)

In the event of the death of a retiree, death benefits, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the optional form of benefit chosen at the time of retirement.

(Ord. No. 02O-09-165, § 1, 12-9-02; Ord. No. 04O-01-108, § 1, 5-10-04; Ord. No. 15O-09-145, § 2, 10-26-2015; Ord. No. 18O-01-102, § 1, 1-29-2018)