Subject to the other provisions of this act, upon and after the death of such employee member or pensioner member, said retirement pension shall be paid to the surviving widow or widower, so long as he or she remains unmarried; minor children or dependent parents, as the case may be; provided, however, that in no instance shall a pension payment to such widow or widower, minor children or dependent parent exceed $3,000.00 per annum. In the event of the death of a pensioner member, such payments shall not exceed the amount received by the decedent pensioner.
N.J.S. § 43:13-22.20