Maryland State Personnel and Pensions Section 24-404

      (a)      Subject to subsections (b) through (d) of this section, the Board of Trustees shall pay the following benefits in accordance with Title II of the federal Social Security Act:

            (1)      if a member dies while employed as a member, child's insurance benefits;

            (2)      if a retiree dies with a special disability retirement allowance under § 29-111 of this article:

                  (i)      surviving spouse's insurance benefits;

                  (ii)      child's insurance benefits; or

                  (iii)      parents' insurance benefits; or

            (3)      if a retiree dies with a service retirement allowance or an ordinary disability retirement allowance under § 29-107 of this article:

                  (i)      surviving spouse's insurance benefits;

                  (ii)      child's insurance benefits;

                  (iii)      mother's insurance benefits;

                  (iv)      parents' insurance benefits; or

                  (v)      other death benefits payable under Title II of the federal Social Security Act.

      (b)      A payment under subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section may not be made if, under Title II of the federal Social Security Act:

            (1)      the surviving spouse is eligible to receive surviving spouse's insurance benefits;

            (2)      the child is eligible to receive child's insurance benefits; or

            (3)      the parent is eligible to receive parents' insurance benefits.

      (c)      The Board of Trustees shall make a payment under this section:

            (1)      after receiving proof of death of the member or retiree;

            (2)      in accordance with Title II of the federal Social Security Act in effect at the time of initial eligibility; and

            (3)      without any cost-of-living adjustment that the federal government may provide.

      (d)      The monthly earnings used in the federal Social Security Act computation of benefits under this section shall be the lesser of:

            (1)      one-twelfth of the member's average final compensation; or

            (2)      the maximum Social Security monthly earnings that may be used in the computation.