Ark. Code Ann. § 24-4-1106: Benefits - Death of retirant

(a) In the event a retirant receiving a straight life pension dies before the retirant has received an aggregate amount of straight life pension payments equal to the accumulated contributions credited in the retirant's deposit account at the time of retirement, the difference between the accumulated contributions and the aggregate amount of straight life pension payments received by the retirant shall be paid to the named beneficiary.

(b) If no designated person survives the retirant, the difference, if any, shall be paid in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution of the State of Arkansas.

(c) The payments may be made directly to a curator, guardian, administrator, or executor authorized to receive the payments with or without the appointment of a representative in this state.

(d) No benefits will be paid under this section if survivor benefits are otherwise payable to a named beneficiary.