Section 186. State not liable for payment of benefits

Neither the state
  nor the department shall be a party to any contract continued  in  whole
  or  in  part  with  contributions  made  under  the education department
  optional retirement program established  and  administered  pursuant  to
  this  part  V  of this article.   No retirement, death or other benefits
  shall be payable by the state or by the department under such  education
  department  optional retirement program, except as otherwise provided in
  section 184.  Such benefits shall be paid to electing employees or their
  beneficiaries by the designated insurer or insurers in  accordance  with
  the terms of their contracts.