Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 50.1130. Death benefit

1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 50.1150 to the contrary, a death benefit of ten thousand dollars and, in the case of an active member who dies after December 31, 2002, and before becoming vested, an amount equal to the amount of the member's accumulated contributions standing to his or her credit in the fund shall be paid to the designated beneficiary of every active member upon his or her death or, if the member fails to designate a beneficiary, then to the member's surviving spouse or, if there is no spouse, then in equal shares to the member's surviving children.  If there is neither a surviving spouse or surviving children, then the benefit shall be paid to the active member's estate.

2. If the member executes a beneficiary designation form and lists more than one beneficiary but fails to list the percentage of benefit that each beneficiary should receive, then the benefit shall be divided equally among the named beneficiaries.