Only in the event a return of contributions is otherwise required herein shall this section apply. A return of contributions, as provided herein, shall be payable to the former participant, if living. In the event of death, if there is a survivor and there are accrued benefits, there shall be no return of contributions, but survivor's benefits shall be payable as set forth in Section 45-37A-51.228. If there are accrued benefits but no survivor, or if there are no accrued benefits, the return of contribution shall be made to the former participant's severance beneficiary named in accordance with Section 45-37A-51.236. In the event the former participant shall have died and shall have not, while an active participant in the system, designated a beneficiary in writing, the return of contributions, if no accrued benefits to survivors, shall be paid in the following order of preference:
Ala. Code § 45-37A-51.235 (1975)