New York Consolidated Laws, Education Law - EDN § 184. Survivor's benefits

In the case of the death of any electing employee after the effective date of his election and before retirement, the value of the death benefits provided by the contract or contracts continued under the education department optional retirement program which is attributable to the state's contribution as determined by the commissioner, shall be deemed to be an ordinary death benefit provided under a public pension plan within the meaning of section one hundred fifty-four of the civil service law.