15-39.1-17. Death of member

15-39.1-17. Death of member 1. A member may designate a beneficiary to receive death benefits under the plan when the member dies. If the member is not married, the member may designate a person, estate, or organization as primary beneficiary to receive death benefits. If the member is married, the spouse of the member is the member's primary beneficiary unless the spouse consents in writing to the member's alternate primary beneficiary designation. A member also may designate contingent beneficiaries who are entitled to any remaining death benefits if the primary beneficiary dies before receiving all death benefits provided by this plan. If a member dies without naming a contingent beneficiary, the primary beneficiary may name a contingent beneficiary. If there is no named primary or contingent beneficiary, any death benefits will be paid to the estate. 2. If a member has named more than one primary beneficiary, the board shall pay any death benefits to the primary beneficiaries in the percentages designated by the member or, if the member has not designated a percentage for the beneficiaries, in equal percentages. If one or more of the primary beneficiaries has predeceased the member, the board shall pay the predeceased beneficiary's share to the remaining primary beneficiaries. If no primary beneficiaries remain, any death benefits must be paid to the contingent beneficiaries in the same manner. a. If before retiring a nonvested member dies, the plan shall pay the member's account value to the member's beneficiary. b. If before retiring a vested member dies, the member's beneficiary may select a form of payment as follows: (1) If the member dies and was eligible for unreduced retirement benefits and if the beneficiary is one person, the beneficiary may select: (a) A lump sum payment of the member's account value; or (b) A lifetime monthly annuity effective on the first of the month following the month of the member's death. The amount of the monthly annuity is equal to an amount that would have been paid to the beneficiary under a one hundred percent joint and survivor annuity. If the beneficiary dies before receiving the guaranteed member account value, any remaining balance must be paid in a lump sum to a named contingent beneficiary, or if none, to the estate of the recipient. (2) If the member dies and was not eligible for unreduced retirement benefits and if the beneficiary is one person, the beneficiary may select: (a) A lump sum payment of the member's account value; or (b) A lifetime monthly annuity effective on the first of the month following the month of the member's death. The amount of the monthly annuity is equal to an amount that would have been paid to the beneficiary under a one hundred percent joint and survivor annuity without reduction for early retirement and using the disability option reduction factor. If the beneficiary dies before receiving the guaranteed member account value, any remaining balance must be paid in a lump sum to a named contingent beneficiary, or if none, to the estate of the recipient. (3) If the member dies and multiple beneficiaries are eligible for death benefits, the plan shall pay the member's account value to the member's beneficiaries. c. If a member or beneficiary receiving benefits under this plan dies before the total amount of benefits paid to either or both equals the amount of the member's account value, the difference must be paid in a lump sum to a named beneficiary, or if none, to the estate of the recipient.