24. For calendar years 2029 and thereafter, payouts of the balance of specified accumulated sick leave shall revert back to being compensated under the provision codified in the immediately preceding paragraph, which provides for cash payment of 50% of the salary rate current at the date of payment. If an employee retires from the service of the City or, if an employee who is eligible to retire on or after July 1, 1996, dies prior to retirement, any balance of accumulated sick leave at full pay up to a maximum of 800 hours remaining unused at the time of retirement or death shall be compensated to the employee or, in the event of the death of the employee, to the employee’s legal beneficiaries, by cash payment of 50% of the employee’s salary rate on the date of retirement or death. Effective January 1, 1997, if an employee retires from the service of the City or if an employee who is eligible to retire on or after July 1, 1996, dies prior to retirement, any balance of accumulated sick leave at 50% of full pay remaining unused at the date of retirement or death shall be compensated by cash payment at 25% of the employee’s salary rate current at retirement or death. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, from December 31, 2023, through December 23, 2028, inclusive, if an employee retires from City service or, if an employee who is eligible to retire on or after July 1, 1996, dies prior to retirement, any balance of accumulated sick leave at full pay up to a maximum of 800 hours remaining unused at the time of retirement or death shall be compensated to the employee or, in the event of the death of the employee, to the employee’s legal beneficiaries, by cash payment of 100% of the employee’s salary rate on the date of retirement or death. Any balance of accumulated sick leave at 50% of full pay remaining unused at the time of retirement or death shall be compensated to the employee or, in the event of the death of the employee, to the employee’s legal beneficiaries by a cash payment of 50% of the employee's salary rate on the date of retirement or death.