Maryland State Personnel and Pensions Section 29-206

      (a)      This section applies to the surviving spouse of an individual who died while employed as a member of:

            (1)      the Employees' Pension System;

            (2)      the Teachers' Pension System; or

            (3)      the Local Fire and Police System, if the member had not transferred from the Employees' 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;

                        2.      had at least 25 years of eligibility service; or

                        3.      was at least 55 years old with at least 15 years of eligibility service.