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(a) In the event that a Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan participant dies, the benefits payable from the plan shall be determined according to § 24-7-710 and the rules and resolutions of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
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(b)
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(1) However, the plan participant’s eligible surviving spouse may choose to receive the plan benefit in a lump sum without affecting the payment of a monthly retirement benefit from the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.
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(2)
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(A) Subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall not apply if the member has directed one (1) or more residual beneficiaries under § 24-7-710.
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(B) If a member has directed one (1) or more residual beneficiaries, the residual beneficiary shall receive the residual benefits payable, and the spousal benefit shall not be paid.
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(c) For the purposes of § 24-7-709, any amounts received from the Teacher Deferred Retirement Option Plan account in the form of lump-sum or annuity payments shall be considered to be annuity payments received by the member or his or her designated beneficiary and shall reduce or eliminate the disposition of residue that, except for the provisions of this subsection, would have been paid under § 24-7-709.
