BENEFITS ON DEATH OF INACTIVE MEMBER.

(a) Except as provided by Section 824.401, the designated beneficiary of a member who dies while absent from service is eligible to receive:

(1) the same benefits payable under Section 824.402 or 824.404 if the member's absence from service was:

(A) because of sickness, accident, or other cause the board of trustees determines involuntary;

(B) in furtherance of the objectives or welfare of the public school system; or

(C) during a time when the member was eligible to retire or would become eligible without further service before the fifth anniversary of the member's last day of service as a member; or

(2) an amount equal to the accumulated contributions in the member's individual account in the member savings account, if the member's absence from service does not satisfy a requirement of Subdivision (1).

(b) To the extent required by Section 401(a)(37), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the designated beneficiary of a member who died on or after January 1, 2007, while the member was performing qualified military service as defined by Section 414(u), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, is eligible to receive additional benefits to the same extent as if the member had resumed employment and been employed at the time of death.