57.979.  Options that may be elected in lieu of normal annuity — surviving spouse to become special consultant, when, benefits. — 1.  The normal annuity of a member shall be paid to a member during his lifetime.  Upon his death no further payments will be made.

  2.  In lieu of the normal annuity otherwise payable to a member, the member may elect in the member's application for retirement to receive his choice of the following options:

Option 1.  

The actuarial equivalent of the member's normal annuity in reduced monthly payments for life during retirement with the provision that upon the member's death, fifty percent of the reduced normal annuity shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to the member's spouse; or

Option 2.  

Some other option approved by the board which shall be the actuarial equivalent of the annuity to which the member is entitled under this system.

  3.  The election may be made only in the application for retirement and such application must be filed prior to the date on which the retirement of the member is to be effective unless otherwise provided.  If, after the reduced normal annuity begins under option 1, the spouse predeceases the retired member, the reduced normal annuity continues to the retired member during the member's lifetime; but, when a member dies any time after December 21, 1983, who is eligible for retirement prior to retiring and receiving retirement benefits, the surviving spouse of such member of the retirement system coming under the provisions of sections 57.949 to 57.997 shall, upon application, be appointed and employed as a special consultant by the retirement system for the remainder of the spouse's life, and upon request shall give oral or written opinions on the benefits of the retirement system, and shall be entitled to receive benefits under option 1, and shall be eligible for all other benefits that other spouses are entitled to receive.