Missouri Revised Statutes Title VI. County, Township and Political Subdivision Government § 57.980. Death benefits

1. A death benefit of ten thousand dollars shall be paid to the designated beneficiary of every active member upon his death or to his estate if there is no designated beneficiary, or in lieu thereof, a benefit of twenty thousand dollars shall be so paid if the member is killed in the performance of his duty.

2. If a member dies during the performance of his duty, in addition to the death benefit specified in subsection 1 of this section, his surviving spouse shall be entitled to survivorship benefits of fifty percent of the accrued benefit, payable for a period of five years.

3. If a member dies other than during the performance of his duty and before retirement, after becoming eligible for retirement, his surviving spouse, if she has been married to the member for at least two years prior to his death, shall be entitled to survivorship benefits under option one as set forth in section 57.979 as if the member had retired on the date of his death.