Option 1. If a member dies before he has received in retirement payments purchased by his contributions the amount he had contributed to the fund before his retirement, the balance shall be paid to his legal representatives or to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board.
Option 2. Upon a member's death, his or her reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to his or her surviving spouse, upon written designation by the member duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his or her retirement.
Option 3. Upon the member's death, one-half of his or her reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to his or her surviving spouse, upon written designation by the member duly acknowledged and filed with the board of trustees at the time of his retirement.
Option 4. Some other benefit or benefits shall be paid either to the member or to such person or persons as he shall nominate provided, such other benefit or benefits together with the reduced retirement allowance shall be of equivalent actuarial value to his retirement allowance and approved by the board of trustees, at the election of the member, which benefit shall be in lieu of any other option provided herein.
La. Consolidated Public Retirement § 11:1423