19-9-1101. Preretirement death benefits. (1) On the death of an active member, the member's surviving spouse or dependent child is eligible for benefits equal to one-half of the member's final average compensation, payable as provided in 19-9-804(2). If the deceased member has completed over 20 years of membership service, the survivorship benefit must equal 2.5% of the member's final average compensation for each year of service credit.

(2) On the death of an inactive member, the member's surviving spouse or dependent child is eligible for a lump-sum refund of the accumulated contributions standing to the member's credit at the time of the member's death.