19-3-1501. Optional forms of benefits. (1) The retirement benefit of a member or the survivorship benefit of a designated beneficiary who makes an election must be converted, in lieu of all other benefits under this chapter, into an optional retirement benefit that is the actuarial equivalent of the original benefit. The optional retirement benefit is initially payable during the member's or designated beneficiary's lifetime, with a subsequent benefit to the contingent annuitant whom the member or designated beneficiary nominated by written designation, executed and filed with the board on the application for benefits, as follows:
     (a) Option 2--a continuation of the reduced amount after the death of the initial payee and payable during the lifetime of the named contingent annuitant;
     (b) Option 3--a continuation of one-half of the reduced amount after the death of the initial payee and payable during the lifetime of the named contingent annuitant;
     (c) Option 4--upon the initial payee's death, other actuarially equivalent amounts as may be approved by the board.
     (2) Election of an optional retirement benefit must be by written application filed prior to the first payment of the benefit.
     (3) If a benefit recipient or the recipient's contingent annuitant dies before the first payment has been made under option 2 or 3, the election of the option is automatically canceled.
     (4) If a member dies after retirement and within 30 days from the date the member's election or changed election of an optional retirement benefit is received by the board, then the election is void and the death is considered as that of a member before retirement.
     (5) (a) Upon written application to the board, a retired member who is receiving an optional retirement benefit that became effective before October 1, 1999, may designate a different contingent annuitant, select a different option, or convert the member's optional retirement benefit to a regular retirement benefit if:
     (i) the original contingent annuitant has died; or
     (ii) the member's marriage to the original contingent annuitant has been dissolved and the original contingent annuitant has not been granted the right to receive the optional retirement benefit as part of the dissolution settlement or family law order.
     (b) Upon receipt of the written application, the board shall actuarially adjust the member's monthly retirement benefit to reflect the change.
     (6) (a) A retired member receiving an optional retirement benefit pursuant to subsection (1)(a) or (1)(b) that is effective after October 1, 1999, may file a written application with the board to have the optional retirement benefit revert to the regular retirement benefit available at the time of the member's retirement if:
     (i) the contingent annuitant has died, in which case the optional benefit must revert effective on the first day of the month following the contingent annuitant's death; or
     (ii) the member's marriage to the contingent annuitant is dissolved and the beneficiary was not granted the right to receive the optional retirement benefit as part of the dissolution settlement or a family law order, in which case the benefit must revert effective on the first day of the month following receipt of the written application and verification that the dissolution settlement or family law order does not grant the optional benefit to the contingent annuitant.
     (b) A regular retirement benefit provided pursuant to this subsection (6) must be increased by the value of any postretirement adjustments received by the member since the effective date of the member's retirement.
     (7) A written application pursuant to subsection (5) or (6) must be filed with the board within 18 months of the death of or dissolution of marriage to the contingent annuitant.

     History: En. 68-2203 by Sec. 40, Ch. 323, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 190, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 99, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 241, L. 1977; amd. Sec. 15, Ch. 332, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 68-2203; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 527, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 85, Ch. 265, L. 1993; Sec. , MCA 1991; redes. by Code Commissioner, 1993; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 217, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 38, Ch. 562, L. 1999.