§ 17. Election of Pension or Return of Contributions.

(1)

If a member is eligible to vest or retire upon voluntary separation or discharge, said member shall make an irrevocable election, in writing and deliver same to the Board of Trustees within 30 days after such separation or discharge, between return of said member's own contributions (whether regular, special or as a result of the cost-of-living increase provision in section 18) to the retirement plan or receipt of a pension. If the member elects return of contributions, said member and all others claiming by, through, under or against said member shall have no further rights to a pension, except as otherwise specifically provided in this retirement plan. If for any reason the election is not timely made, it shall be conclusively presumed that the irrevocable election is made in favor of return of contributions.

(2)

If the member dies during the election period without having made the election as called for in subsection (1), the amount of the contributions shall be paid as provided in section 13(2) or (3) of this plan.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 95-482, § 17)