§ 7. Vesting of Benefits; Benefits upon Death of Vested Member.

(1)

Any member of the Police Department, who has been in active service in the department for more than 10 years but less than 20 years and who is discharged or voluntarily separates from service in the department thereafter, may make an irrevocable election in writing to receive a monthly pension beginning at age 47, provided, however, that said election must be delivered in writing to the Board of Trustees within 30 days after separation or discharge. Said active service shall be measured backward starting from the date of separation or discharge. If said separated or discharged member is at the time of separation or discharge over the age of 47 and elects within 30 days in writing in the manner hereinabove provided to receive a pension, said pension shall begin at the date of separation or discharge. Said pension beginning at age 47 or older as herein provided shall require no future contributions by the person so qualifying. The amount thereof shall be determined by computing the average monthly salary for the member's last 3 years of service, and said member shall receive each month 2 percent of the average monthly salary for each year of service up to but not including 20 years. Upon reaching 20 years active service, said member shall be governed by the provisions of section 6 of this retirement plan.

(2)

If the member has not attained age 47 and dies after separation or discharge but before timely electing the pension or after the election but before the beginning of the pension, the widow or widower and issue under the age of 18 shall have no further rights hereunder to a pension or otherwise and shall only be entitled to receive the salary deductions the deceased member would have been entitled to elect upon separation or discharge if said member has not previously elected same.

(3)

If the member has attained the age of 47 at the time of separation or discharge and dies prior to making the timely election or, before dying attains said age during the election period and dies before making the election or dies after the election but before the beginning of the pension, the widow or widower and issue under the age of 18 years shall be entitled to receive a monthly pension based upon the member's years of service at time of separation or discharge in the manner and percentages set forth for a widow or widower and issue in section 6 of this retirement plan.

(Laws of Fla. ch. 88-517, § 12; Laws of Fla. ch. 95-482, § 7)