§ 45-21-25. Accidental death benefits.
Upon the accidental death of a member before retirement; provided, that evidence is
submitted to the retirement board proving that the death of the member was the natural
and proximate result of an accident while in the performance of duty at some definite
time and place, and that the death was not the result of willful negligence on the
member's part, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to the member's
estate, or to the person having an insurable interest in the member's life that the
member has nominated by written designation, duly executed and filed with the retirement
board, an
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§ 45-21-25. Accidental death benefits.
Upon the accidental death of a member before retirement; provided, that evidence is
submitted to the retirement board proving that the death of the member was the natural
and proximate result of an accident while in the performance of duty at some definite
time and place, and that the death was not the result of willful negligence on the
member's part, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to the member's
estate, or to the person having an insurable interest in the member's life that the
member has nominated by written designation, duly executed and filed with the retirement
board, and, upon application by or on behalf of the dependents of the deceased member,
the retirement board shall grant a benefit equal to one-half (½) the rate of compensation
of the member in effect at the date of death:
(1) To his or her widow or widower or domestic partner, to continue for life unless he
or she remarries or enters into a domestic partnership; or
(2) If there is no widow or widower or domestic partner, or if the widow or widower or
domestic partner dies or remarries or enters into a domestic partnership before any
child of the deceased member has attained the age of eighteen (18) years, then to
his or her child or children under that age, divided in any manner that the retirement
board in its discretion determines, to continue as a joint and survivor annuity of
one-half (½) of that compensation until every child dies or attains that age; or
(3) If there is no widow, widower, or domestic partner or child under the age of eighteen
(18) years surviving the deceased member, then to his or her dependent father or mother,
as the deceased member has nominated by written designation, duly acknowledged and
filed with the retirement board; or if there is no nomination, then to his or her
dependent father or to his or her dependent mother, as the retirement board in its
discretion directs, to continue for life.