Section 13-355. Dependent benefits for surviving spouses and orphans

a. (1)
  Where any member who became a member prior to the starting date  of  the
  improved   benefits  plan  (as  such  date  is  defined  in  subdivision
  twenty-seven of section 13-313 of this  chapter),  elected  to  purchase
  dependent  benefits pursuant to section B19-7.42 of former article one-A
  of former chapter nineteen, and such  member,  prior  to  such  starting
  date,  makes  additional contributions required by sections B19-7.21 and
  B19-7.42 of such  former  article  one-A  to  the  contingent  dependent
  benefit  reserve  fund  provided  for  by  subdivision c of such section
  B19-7.21, and  such  member  on  and  after  such  starting  date  makes
  additional  contributions,  at  the  same  rate to the dependent benefit
  contingent reserve fund provided for by subdivision b of section  13-329
  of  this  subchapter,  dependent  benefits shall be payable on and after
  such starting date with respect  to  such  member  as  provided  for  in
  subdivision  b  of  this section from the dependent benefit reserve fund
  provided for by subdivision a of such section 13-329.
    (2) In any case where prior to such starting date, dependent  benefits
  were  granted  with  respect  to any deceased member or deceased retired
  member pursuant to the provisions of  this  section  and  such  sections
  B19-7.21 and B19-7.42 as then in effect, dependent benefits with respect
  to  such  member shall be payable on and after such starting date to the
  person or persons eligible to receive same pursuant to the provisions of
  subdivision b of this section.
    b.  (1)  Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  paragraph  two  of  this
  subdivision  and  subject  to  the provisions of subdivisions a and d of
  this section, the board shall pay a dependent benefit to  the  surviving
  spouse, child or children or dependent parents of any deceased member if
  the  death of such member occur during his or her service or after he or
  she was retired from service. The amount of any such  dependent  benefit
  to  be  paid by the board to each of the several representatives of such
  member, in case there shall be more than one, from time to time, may  be
  determined  by  such  board according to the circumstances of each case.
  The annual dependent benefit to the representative or representatives of
  such member, however, shall be six hundred dollars, and no part of  such
  sum  shall be paid to any such surviving spouse who shall remarry, after
  such remarriage, or to any child after it shall have reached the age  of
  eighteen years.
    (2)  In  any  case  where  an  original plan member subject to article
  eleven (as defined in subdivision  four-d  of  section  13-313  of  this
  subchapter)  or  an  improved  benefits  plan  member subject to article
  eleven (as defined in subdivision four-j of such section 13-313) who has
  elected  to  contribute  the  additional  deductions  provided  for   by
  subdivision  c  of  section  of  this  subchapter dies during his or her
  service, no dependent benefits shall be paid under this section  to  any
  person by reason of such death; provided, however that the contributions
  of such member to the dependent benefit contingent reserve fund, without
  interest  thereon, if such member was an original plan member subject to
  article eleven at the time  of  his  or  her  death,  and  with  regular
  interest  thereon,  if  such member was an improved benefits plan member
  subject to article eleven at the time of his  or  her  death,  shall  be
  paid,  subject  to  the  determination  of  the board as provided for by
  paragraph one of this subdivision b, to the person or persons who  would
  have been entitled under the provisions of such paragraph one to receive
  a  dependent benefit by reason of such death if such member had not been
  subject to the provisions of article eleven of the retirement and social
  security law at the time of his or her death.

    c. Dependent benefits shall be granted pursuant to this section to the
  surviving spouse, child or children or dependent parent or parents of  a
  member:
    (1) only upon satisfaction of the applicable requirements set forth in
  subdivision a of this section, if such member last became a member prior
  to such starting date; and
    (2)  only  if the member, where he or she becomes a member on or after
  such starting date, shall elect to contribute the additional  deductions
  provided for by subdivision c of section 13-329 of this subchapter.
    d.  The benefits granted pursuant to this section shall be in addition
  to any other benefit provided for by this subchapter.