A. Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity

If you earned an hour of Pension Credit or Credited Service on or after January 1, 1976, you are vested, and you were married at least one year prior to your death before you retire, upon your death, your surviving Spouse will be eligible for a Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity payable for your Spouse's lifetime as follows:

1. Death On Or After Age 55. If you die on or after attaining age 55 but before retirement, your surviving Spouse will receive the same monthly benefit, known as a Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity, that would have been payable to you if you had retired with a Joint and a 50% Survivor Annuity on the day before your death. Benefits to your Spouse will begin as of the first day of the month following the month in which you died.


2. Death Before Age 55. If you are younger than age 55 at the time of your death and have accumulated sufficient Pension Credit to be eligible for a pension, your surviving Spouse will be entitled to the same benefit that would be payable if you had:
   1. Separated from employment on the date of your death;
   2. Survived to the earliest retirement date you could retire under the Plan and receive an immediate Joint and 50% Survivor Annuity at such earliest retirement date; and
   3. Died on the day after your earliest retirement date.
   This benefit does not commence until the first day of the month following the earliest retirement age you could have retired under the Plan (age 55) unless your Spouse elects a later date (but no later than December 31 of the year in which you would have attained age 70½). If your surviving Spouse elects the immediate lump sum death benefit described in Subsection B below, the Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity will be reduced or eliminated based on actuarial tables approved by the Board of Trustees. Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity coverage for your surviving Spouse is automatic. If you are married and entitled to a retirement benefit based on your accumulated Pension Credit, you cannot waive the Pre-Retirement Survivor Annuity except as provided in Subsection B below.
   
   You are not entitled to designate a non-Spouse beneficiary to receive any benefits that would modify the rights of your Spouse, without your Spouse's consent.