69. Upon the death of a contributor who held employment with his employer at the time of his death and who had at least 5 years of pensionable service to his credit, his surviving spouse and children shall be entitled to the annual allowances for which they would have been eligible under section 68 if the contributor, immediately prior to his death, had acquired under section 67 entitlement to an immediate or deferred pension or to an annual allowance payable immediately or when he reaches age 50.