2023 Oregon Revised Statutes › Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections › Chapter 238A - Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan › Section 238A.190 - Survivorship benefits.

(1) Before the effective date of retirement of a member of the pension program, the member may elect to convert the pension calculated under ORS 238A.180 or 238A.185 into the actuarial equivalent pension as follows:
(a) A pension payable monthly during the member’s life and, after the death of the member, continuing at the same monthly amount for the life of a beneficiary named by the member in a written designation filed with the Public Employees Retirement Board at the time of election.
(b) A pension payable monthly during the member’s life and, subject to modification under subsection (2) of this section, after the death of the member, continuing at the same monthly amount for the life of a beneficiary named by the member in a written designation filed with the board at the time of election.
(c) A pension payable monthly during the member’s life and, after the death of the member, continuing at one-half of the monthly amount paid to the member for the life of a beneficiary named by the member in a written designation filed with the board at the time of election.
(d) A pension payable monthly during the member’s life and, subject to modification under subsection (2) of this section, after the death of the member, continuing at one-half of the monthly amount paid to the member for the life of a beneficiary named by the member in a written designation filed with the board at the time of election.
(2) A retired member who elects to receive a pension under subsection (1)(b) or (d) of this section shall receive the pension that the member would have received on the effective date of retirement under ORS 238A.180 or 238A.185 adjusted by the actual amount of any cost-of-living or other post-retirement adjustments made to the original allowance since the effective date of retirement, if:
(a) The spouse or other beneficiary dies after the member retires; or
(b) The marriage relationship or other relationship with the beneficiary is terminated after the member retires.
(3) An increased benefit under subsection (2) of this section is first effective on the first day of the month following the date on which one of the events specified in subsection (2) of this section occurs.
(4) If a member of the pension program is married on the effective date of retirement, or there exists any other person on the effective date of retirement who is constitutionally required to be treated in the same manner as a spouse for the purpose of retirement benefits, the pension payable to the member shall be as provided in subsection (1)(c) of this section with the spouse or other person as beneficiary, unless:
(a) The member has selected a different pension provided for in subsection (1) of this section with the spouse or other person as beneficiary; or
(b) The member submits to the board a document signed by the spouse or other person, acknowledged by a notary public, consenting to a different option or a different beneficiary.
(5) Subsection (4) of this section does not apply to a pension benefit that is paid in a lump sum under ORS 238A.195. [2003 c.733 §20; 2005 c.332 §14]