- (a) If a member receives final approval for disability retirement and dies before receiving the first disability retirement benefit payment, the member’s disability retirement benefits shall be paid to one (1) or more option beneficiaries, alternative residue beneficiaries, or other beneficiaries designated by the member.
(b) If a member’s disability retirement application is received by the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and the member dies before his or her disability application is approved:
- (1) The member shall be considered to have died in active service; and
- (2) Survivor annuity benefits under Arkansas Code § 24-7-710 may be paid if the member has not designated an alternative residue beneficiary.