1. (a) This Section shall be effective for Participant deaths prior to January 1, 2022.
2. (b) If the Participant dies prior to receiving Plan benefits, or the Participant dies while benefits are being paid to the Participant under the Plan and before such benefits have been exhausted, the benefits payable under this Plan shall be paid to the designated Beneficiary of the Participant in accordance with the distribution option selected by the Participant or the Beneficiary.

3. (c) Distributions must be made primarily for the benefit of the Participant (or former Participant). Therefore, distribution which begins prior to the death of a Participant must be in a form such that the total benefit amount will be paid over a period not to exceed the life expectancy of the Participant and a designated Beneficiary. Any amount not distributed to the Participant during his or her lifetime shall be distributed after the death of the Participant at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution used as of the date of his or her death. In addition, if the Participant dies prior to the commencement of distributions, the Participant's Account shall be distributed to the Beneficiary, commencing within one year of the employee's death, over the life of such Beneficiary (or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of such Beneficiary) but not to exceed 15 years; provided however if such Beneficiary is the surviving spouse of the Participant, then

   1. (1) such distributions shall, in all events, commence no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2 (or such other date as may be permitted under applicable Treasury Regulations), and
   2. (2) benefits payable to such spouse shall be completed during a period not in excess of such spouse's life expectancy. Life expectancies will not be recalculated annually.

Added at 15 Ok Reg 793, eff 11-12-97 (emergency)

Added at 15 Ok Reg 3282, eff 7-13-98

Amended at 28 Ok Reg 678, eff 5-12-11

Amended at 38 Ok Reg 2463, eff 9-11-21

Amended at 39 Ok Reg 2083, eff 9-11-22