N.Y. Education Law § 184: Survivor's benefits

§ 184. Survivor's benefits. In the case of the death of any electing

employee after the effective date of his election and before retirement,

the value of the death benefits provided by the contract or contracts

continued under the education department optional retirement program

which is attributable to the state's contribution as determined by the

commissioner, shall be deemed to be an ordinary death benefit provided

under a public pension plan within the meaning of section one hundred

fifty-four of the civil service law.