Notwithstanding any other provision in P.L. 1943, c. 160 (C. 43:10-18.1 et seq.) and P.L. 1971, c. 102 (C. 43:10-18.15g et seq.), in the event a retirant who had been actively employed on or after September 1, 1987 has died or shall die, periodic increases in his pension shall continue to be calculated as if he or she had remained alive and the retirant's widow or widower shall be entitled to receive one-half of those periodic increases.
N.J.S. § 43:10-18.18a