(a) Survivors’ benefits; waiver. The basic monthly survivor‘s benefit, subject to a family maximum of one thousand five hundred dollars, shall be (1) three hundred dollars each for a surviving spouse, plus twenty-five dollars for each year of service in excess of twelve years in the public schools of Connecticut completed by the member, subject to a maximum monthly benefit of six hundred dollars, (2) three hundred dollars each for a dependent former spouse; for a dependent parent if there is no surviving spouse or dependent child; and for a legal guardian of any dependent child if there is no surviving spouse, dependent former spouse or dependent parent, and (3) three hundred dollars for each dependent child. In applying the family maximum, the benefit shall be first allocated to the child or children, with the excess allocated to the surviving spouse and any dependent former spouse in proportion to the amount each would receive according to the above formula. Payment of the benefit shall commence on the last day of the month following the month of the member’s death. Such benefit shall continue through the month preceding the month in which the survivor dies or ceases to be eligible for such benefit. Such benefit to the legal guardian of dependent children shall continue until all such children are no longer dependent, as defined in § 10-183b. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any such surviving spouse, dependent former spouse, dependent parent or legal guardian may waive the right to payment of the benefit under this subsection in order that a designated beneficiary who is the child of the deceased member may receive such member’s accumulated contributions plus credited interest. Such waiver shall be made prior to the payment of the benefit to any such surviving spouse, dependent former spouse, dependent parent or legal guardian.

(b) Lump sum death benefits. A lump sum death benefit shall be payable to a surviving spouse. Such benefit shall be one thousand dollars for five years or less of service in the public schools of Connecticut, plus two hundred dollars for each year of credited service in the public schools of Connecticut in excess of five years, to a maximum of two thousand dollars. If there is no surviving spouse, such benefit shall be equal to the member’s burial expenses but not in excess of what would have been payable to a surviving spouse and shall be payable to the person who paid such expenses. No payment under this subsection shall be made unless application for the payment is filed with the board within two years of such member’s death.

(c) Return of accumulated contributions to sole survivor. In lieu of a basic survivor’s benefit and a lump sum death benefit, a sole survivor who has attained age eighteen, and is the member’s designated beneficiary may elect to receive an amount equal to such member’s accumulated contributions together with credited interest.

(d) Surviving spouse’s benefit. The surviving spouse of any member who, at the time of death was eligible for a retirement benefit other than a disability benefit and had not filed a waiver of the coparticipant‘s option, may elect to receive (1) a monthly benefit for life equal to the benefit payable if a one hundred per cent coparticipant’s option had been elected or (2) an amount equal to the member’s accumulated contributions with credited interest.

(e) Benefit payable when contributions exceed payments. If no coparticipant option has become effective and if the aggregate payments under this section are less than the accumulated mandatory contributions of a deceased member plus credited interest, there shall be paid to such member’s designated beneficiary an amount equal to the difference between such aggregate payments and such accumulated mandatory contributions plus credited interest.

(f) Continuation of benefit upon remarriage. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (25) of § 10-183b, benefits payable under this section to a surviving spouse shall not be terminated because of remarriage if such surviving spouse has attained the age of sixty.

(g) Spouse’s options when member dies after filing retirement application. If a member who has filed an application for retirement dies prior to the effective date of retirement, such member’s spouse, if such spouse is designated on such application as the sole beneficiary, may elect to receive either (1) the preretirement death benefits as set forth in this section, or (2) the benefit payment option selected by the deceased member on such retirement application.