848 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 349

SPECIAL DEATH BENEFIT

(9) Upon the receipt of proper proofs of the death of a
member in service arising out of or in the course of the actual
performance of duty, without wilful negligence on his part,
and upon the finding and certification by the Board that such
death so occurred, there shall be paid:

(a) To such person having an insurable interest in the
life of the deceased, as he shall have nominated by written
designation duly executed and filed with the Board of Trus-
tees, otherwise to his estate, his accumulated contributions;
and

(b) To his widow, if he leaves a widow, to continue dur-
ing her widowhood; or if there be no widow, or if the widow
dies or remarries before the youngest child of such deceased
member shall have attained the age of eighteen, then to his
child or children under said age, if he leaves children, divid-
ed in such manner as the Board in its discretion shall deter-
mine to continue as a joint and survivorship pension for the
benefit of the child or children under said age until every
child dies or attains said age; or if there be no widow or
children under the age of eighteen years living at the death
of such member, then to his dependent father or dependent
mother as the Board in its discretion shall direct to con-
tinue for life, a pension of fifty per centum of his average
final compensation. If such member at the time of his death
shall not leave a widow, child or children under the age of
eighteen years or dependent parent or parents, the Ordinary
Death Benefit shall be the only death benefit payable.

RETURN OF ACCUMULATED CONTRIBUTIONS

(10) Should a member cease to be an employee except by
death or by retirement under the provisions of this sub-title,
he shall be paid the amount of his accumulated contributions.

OPTIONAL ALLOWANCES

(11) In lieu of the disability or service allowances payable
under the aforesaid provisions, any member may, prior to
the first retirement allowance payment normally due, elect
a reduced retirement allowance of equivalent actuarial value
in one of the optional forms set out below. The election of
the option shall be made on a form provided for that pur-
pose and shall be filed with the Board of Trustees. Should
a member die prior to the expiration of thirty days after
the date of the filing of such election or prior to thirty days
after retirement, such election shall be void and of no effect.