Article 16. Alternate Survivors’ Allowances of California Government Code >> Division 4. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 3. >> Article 16.

This article shall not be operative in any county until such time as the board of supervisors shall, by resolution adopted by majority vote, make the provisions of this article applicable in such county.

In counties to which this article applies, this article provides an alternative system of survivors' allowance applicable only to the members who elect to participate.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 31864, any member within 30 days after this article becomes operative in the county, or within 30 days after entry into service, or during the calendar months of November or December of any year, may elect to make contributions for, and participate in, the benefits provided for by this article. An election made more than 30 days after this article becomes operative in this county and more than 30 days after entrance into service shall become operative the following January first.

Any member who has elected to participate in the benefits provided for by this article may rescind such election during the months of November or December of any year. Such election shall become operative on the following January first. No part of the contributions deducted, pursuant to this article from his salary or wages will be refunded to such member. Such member may not again elect to participate in the benefits provided for by this article.

If a member elects to participate in the benefits of this article all of the provisions of Article 15.5 shall apply to such member and to his eligible spouse, children, and parents, and to all other persons to whom Article 15.5 applies, and such provisions are herein incorporated by reference as if set forth in full except as hereinafter in this article provided otherwise.

The board shall fix the additional contributions of members at amounts which it finds will pay one-half of the cost of the survivors' benefits and lump sum supplemental survivorship benefit provided for in this article.

Members who because of county service, are subject to the federal old age and survivors insurance provisions of the Federal Social Security Act shall pay the entire cost of the survivors benefits and lump sum supplemental survivorship benefit provided for in this article.

Until the regulations of the board designate otherwise the additional contribution of each safety member shall be one dollar and thirty cents ($1.30) per month and of each other member shall be one dollar and seventy-one cents ($1. 71) per month.

If a member elected to participate in the benefits provided for by this article more than 30 days after this article became operative in the county, a survivor's allowance shall not be due to either his eligible spouse or child, and a lump sum supplemental survivorship benefit shall not be due, unless additional deductions were made pursuant to this article from the salary or wages of such member for not less than 18 months.

If a member elected to participate in the benefits provided for by this article more than 30 days after this article becomes operative in the county, a survivor's allowance shall not be due to any parent of such member unless additional deductions were made pursuant to this article from the salary or wages of such member for not less than 10 years.