§ 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.