Any married person retiring under the provisions of this act shall, at the time of his or her retirement, receive the pension provided by this act during his or her lifetime, and a pension after his or her death, payable to his or her surviving spouse at the time of retirement, equal to fifty per centum of his or her pension: Provided, That such person so retiring shall have been married to his or her spouse for not less than five years prior to the date of retirement and the spouse is dependent upon such deceased employe at the time of his or her death.

The pension to be paid to such surviving spouse shall begin on the first day of the month in which the death of the deceased spouse occurs or¹ the first day of the month following the surviving spouse's attainment of the age of fifty-five, whichever is the later, and shall continue to and terminate upon the death of such surviving spouse, unless such surviving spouse shall re-marry, in which event the payment of his or her survivor's pension shall thereupon be terminated.

The word “pension” as used in this section shall be construed to mean the sum of the pension provided by this act plus the amount of service increment, if any, to which the married person retiring under the provisions of this act shall be entitled.