Any contributor who would be entitled to a retirement allowance because of being involuntarily retired after having completed ten years of total service, or by reason of having reached superannuation retirement age may file with the board a written application for retirement in the form required for such application, but requesting that such retirement shall become effective as of the time of his death, electing Option One or Option Two provided in section 15¹ and nominating a beneficiary under the option.

In all such cases, the application shall be held by the board until the contributor shall file a later application in the usual manner for retirement, or until the death of the contributor occurring while in county service at which time his retirement shall become effective with the same benefits to the designated beneficiary as if the contributor had retired on the day of death.