context: Such an interpretation does not square with the statute's explicit reference to "the spouse ... surviving at such member's death" (emphasis added), which plainly implies that only one person can be eligible to receive such benefits. We thus hold that a former spouse is not a surviving spouse and may not collect death benefits under the statute.
citation_a.signal: see
citation_a.identifier: 713 P.2d 1234, 1236
citation_a.parenthetical: "The statute restricts death benefits to current spouses and children."
citation_a.sentence: See Koelsch v. Koelsch, 148 Ariz. 176, 178, 713 P.2d 1234, 1236 (1986) (“The statute restricts death benefits to current spouses and children.”); see also Lack v. Lack, 584 S.W.2d 896, 899 (Tex.App.1979) (interpreting a Texas pension plan and reaching a similar conclusion); Arnold v. Department of Retirement Sys., 128 Wash.2d 765, 912 P.2d 463, 465 (1996) (excluding former spouses from receipt of death benefits).
citation_b.signal: see also
citation_b.identifier: 584 S.W.2d 896, 899
citation_b.parenthetical: interpreting a Texas pension plan and reaching a similar conclusion
citation_b.sentence: See Koelsch v. Koelsch, 148 Ariz. 176, 178, 713 P.2d 1234, 1236 (1986) (“The statute restricts death benefits to current spouses and children.”); see also Lack v. Lack, 584 S.W.2d 896, 899 (Tex.App.1979) (interpreting a Texas pension plan and reaching a similar conclusion); Arnold v. Department of Retirement Sys., 128 Wash.2d 765, 912 P.2d 463, 465 (1996) (excluding former spouses from receipt of death benefits).