186 - State not liable for payment of benefits.

§ 186. State  not  liable  for payment of benefits.  Neither the state  nor the department shall be a party to any contract continued  in  whole  or  in  part  with  contributions  made  under  the education department  optional retirement program established  and  administered  pursuant  to  this  part  V  of this article.   No retirement, death or other benefits  shall be payable by the state or by the department under such  education  department  optional retirement program, except as otherwise provided in  section 184.  Such benefits shall be paid to electing employees or their  beneficiaries by the designated insurer or insurers in  accordance  with  the terms of their contracts.