Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 11, § 806. Eligibility for survivor benefits

A. Any member covered by R.S. 11:801 with twenty or more years of creditable service and not eligible for normal retirement at the time of his death, who leaves a surviving spouse who is not eligible for Social Security survivorship or retirement benefits on his account and who has been married to the member for not less than twelve months immediately preceding his death, shall be deemed to have exercised Option 2 benefits on behalf of his surviving spouse, who shall be paid such benefits until he becomes eligible for Social Security survivorship or retirement benefits on his account, or until he remarries; however, no such benefit shall be paid until the surviving spouse attains the age of fifty. Any surviving spouse who meets the above qualifications, except for survivorship benefits due to minor children, shall become eligible for benefits under this Section when he ceases to receive Social Security benefits due to ineligibility. The method of calculating such retirement benefits shall be on the same basis as provided in this Part.

B. Any member who is eligible for normal retirement at the time of his death and who leaves a surviving spouse shall be deemed to have exercised Option 2 benefits on behalf of his surviving spouse, who shall be paid such benefits just as though the member had retired and elected Option 2 benefits prior to his death.