Alaska Statutes Title 14. Education, Libraries, and Museums § 14.25.155. Nonoccupational death benefits

(a) If the death of a member occurs after completing less than one year of membership service and the proximate cause of death is not a bodily injury sustained or hazard undergone while in the performance and within the scope of the member's duties of employment, the member's designated beneficiary shall be paid the balance of the member contribution account.

(b) If the death of a member occurs after completing at least one year of membership service but before becoming a vested member, and the proximate cause of death is not a bodily injury sustained or hazard undergone while in the performance and within the scope of the member's duties of employment, the lump-sum death benefit described in AS 14.25.160(b) and (c) shall be paid to the designated beneficiary of the member.

(c) If the death of a vested member or deferred vested member occurs and the proximate cause of death is not a bodily injury sustained or hazard undergone while in the performance and within the scope of the member's duties of employment, the surviving spouse may elect to receive either the benefits described in (b) of this section or a 50 percent joint and survivor option as provided under AS 14.25.167(a)(2) based on credited service to the date of the member's termination. If no spouse survives a vested or deferred vested member, or if a person other than the spouse is designated as beneficiary in accordance with AS 14.25.166, the administrator shall pay the designated beneficiary the benefits described in AS 14.25.160(b) and (c). Benefits accrue from the first day of the month following the member's death and are payable the last day of the month.

(d) Benefits are not payable under this section if benefits are payable under AS 14.25.157, 14.25.160, 14.25.162, 14.25.164, or 14.25.167.