Eligibility for survivor benefits

(1) No benefits shall be payable under sections 24-51-1736 to 24-51-1746 unless all of the following conditions are met: (a) At the time of death the deceased member was a contributing member, or a contributing member who retired for disability on or after July 1, 1962, and who would not be precluded pursuant to the DPS plan document from rights for survivor benefits. (b) The deceased contributing member was a regular employee in the active service of the district continuously for the five-year period prior to said member's death, said five-year period having been contributing service, except: (I) Absence on sabbatical leave or on a leave for restoration of health on a half-salary basis for periods during which contributions are paid shall be deemed continuous employment within the meaning of sections 24-51-1736 to 24-51-1746 and included in the required five-year period. Time absent from employment because of leave other than sabbatical leave or a leave for restoration of health on a half-salary basis and time absent from employment because of a permitted absence not constituting a termination of regular employment shall be disregarded and for the purposes of sections 24-51-1736 to 24-51-1746 shall not be deemed either an interruption of service or included in the required five-year period. (II) If the deceased member was retired for disability on or after July 1, 1962, and was a contributing member upon the effective date of disability retirement, the requirement of five years of service prior to death shall be waived.