Any active member's spouse, children or dependent parents may qualify for survivor benefits. Inactive members who are not vested for future benefits do not have survivor benefit protection.

Spouses

• Spouses of deceased member are automatically eligible for benefits providing they have been married to you for at least one year preceding your death. Benefits will be paid until the spouse remarries (unless you had 20 or more years of service at the time of death, and then, the spouse will draw a benefit for his/her lifetime). The spouse will draw his/her benefit as long as there are dependent children in his/her care.
  
• A spouse annuity will be the greater of Option B-75 or 10% of your covered compensation at the time of death..

Dependent Children

• Dependent children will receive an annuity dependent on the number of children eligible for benefits. Up to two children will receive the greater of 10% of your covered compensation or equal shares of $150. Three or more children share the greater of 25% of your covered compensation or equal shares of $150.
• Upon reaching age 18, benefits terminate if the child does not continue uninterrupted as a full-time student at an accredited secondary school, college or university.
• No benefits will be paid beyond age 23.
• Marriage or death terminates benefits.
• The age 18 maximum will be extended for any child who has been deemed physically or mentally incompetent by an Arkansas Court of competent jurisdiction for as long as such incompetence exits.

Dependent Parents

• If there is no eligible spouse or child, each parent who was dependent on the member for at least 50% of his/her financial support may be eligible for benefits.
• Each dependent parent will receive an annuity of the greater of 10% of your covered compensation at the time of your death; or an equal share of the $150 monthly minimum.

NOTE: If you die in service and you have employee contributions in your account and your surviving spouse is also your named beneficiary and you have no dependent children, your surviving spouse may opt to receive a monthly benefit or a lump sum refund.