Section 31778.2.

(a) If a participant dies during the period from the deferred calculation date to the election date, he or she shall be deemed to have died while eligible for the deferred retirement option and the participant's eligible spouse or other beneficiary shall be qualified to elect the deferred retirement option under Section 31778 as if the participant were still living, except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c).

(b) Benefits under Article 12 (commencing with Section 31780) or, if applicable, Section 31765, 31765.1 or 31765.11 shall be calculated as if the participant had died on the deferred retirement calculation date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, eligibility of a spouse for any benefits shall be based on the participant's marital status and the duration of the marriage as of the actual date of death.

(c) The balance in the participant's program account shall be distributed pursuant to Section 31778.3.

(Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 897, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2004.)