Eligibility for the Surviving Spouse Benefit

If a Participant dies before retirement and is survived by a spouse to whom the Participant has been married for at least one year, the surviving spouse will be entitled to a Surviving Spouse Benefit provided the Participant is vested on the date of his death (see Vested Status for more information). If a Participant dies before retirement and is survived by his or her Qualified Domestic Partner for whom an Affidavit of Domestic partnership has been on file with the Administrative Office for at least one year, the surviving Qualified Domestic Partner will be entitled to the Surviving Spouse Benefit provided the Participant is vested on the date of his death. The Participant, with the written and notarized consent of his spouse or Qualified Domestic Partner, may waive the Surviving Spouse Benefit and elect the Normal and/or Screen Credit Death Benefit by filing a beneficiary form (naming someone other than the spouse or Qualified Domestic Partner) with the Administrative Office prior to his death (or by consenting to the survivor benefit elected by the Participant during the 90-day period prior to retirement).

If the Surviving Spouse Benefit is payable, neither the Normal Death Benefit nor the Screen Credit Death Benefit will be paid, unless the Surviving Spouse Benefit is waived.

Commencement Date
Amount of Surviving Spouse Benefit
Election by Surviving Spouse or Qualified Domestic Partner