RCW 41.54.034
Calculation of surviving spouse's death benefit.
(1) If a dual member dies in service in any system, the member's service in all systems may be combined for the sole purpose of determining the surviving spouse's eligibility to receive a death benefit from each of the member's current and prior systems.
(2) Each system shall use its own criteria to:
(a) Determine the surviving spouse's eligibility for a death benefit; and
(b) Calculate the death benefit based on service actually established in that system.
(3) The surviving spouse shall receive the same benefit from each system that would have been received if the member were active in the system at the time of death. The spouse shall be allowed to substitute the member's base salary from any system as the compensation used in calculating the allowance.
(4) This section shall not apply to the Washington state patrol retirement system established under chapter 43.43 RCW.
[ 1996 c 55 § 2.]
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions
Chapter 41.54 - Portability of Public Retirement Benefits.
41.54.020 - Benefits under prior retirement systems—Restoration of contributions.
41.54.030 - Calculation of service retirement allowance.
41.54.032 - Calculation of disability retirement allowance.
41.54.034 - Calculation of surviving spouse's death benefit.
41.54.040 - Payment of retirement allowance and postretirement adjustments—Death benefit.
41.54.070 - Benefits under chapter—Minimum and maximum.
41.54.080 - Benefits under chapter—Contractual rights not established.
41.54.090 - Benefits under chapter—Lump sum payment.
41.54.100 - Transfer of membership under chapter 341, Laws of 1998—Benefits not diminished.
41.54.900 - Effective dates—1987 c 192.
41.54.901 - Effective date—1988 c 195.
41.54.902 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.