§20-18-25. Awards and benefits to surviving spouse — When member dies in performance of duty, etc.

(a) The surviving spouse of any member who, after the effective date of this article while in covered employment, has died or dies by reason of injury, illness or disease resulting from an occupational risk or hazard inherent in or peculiar to the service required of members, while the member was or is engaged in the performance of his or her duties as a Natural Resources Police Officer, or the survivor spouse of a member who dies from any cause while receiving benefits pursuant to §20-18-21 of this code, is entitled to receive and shall be paid from the fund benefits as follows: To the surviving spouse annually, in equal monthly installments during his or her lifetime an amount equal to the greater of: (i) Two thirds of the annual compensation received in the preceding 12-month period by the deceased member; or (ii) if the member dies after his or her normal retirement age, the monthly amount which the spouse would have received had the member retired the day before his or her death, elected a 100 percent joint and survivor annuity with the spouse as the joint annuitant, and then died.

(b) Benefits for a surviving spouse received under this section, §20-18-27 and §20-18-28 of this code, are in lieu of receipt of any other benefits under this article for the spouse, or any other person, or under the provisions of any other state retirement system based upon the member’s covered employment.