Maryland State Personnel and Pensions Section 29-205
§ 29-205.
  (a)   This section applies to the surviving spouse of an individual who died while employed as a member of:
    (1)   the Correctional Officers' Retirement System;
    (2)   the Employees' Retirement System;
    (3)   the Local Fire and Police System, if the member had transferred from the Employees' Retirement System; or
    (4)   the Teachers' Retirement System.
  (b)   A surviving spouse may elect to receive one of the following:
    (1)   the death benefit, under § 29-202 of this subtitle; or
    (2)   an allowance equal to the amount payable under Option 2 as described in § 21-403 of this article, if:
      (i)   the spouse is the sole primary designated beneficiary; and
      (ii)   the member:
        1.   was eligible to retire; or
        2.   was at least 55 years old with at least 15 years of eligibility service.