double getPayAmount() {
  double result;
  if (_isDead) result = deadAmount();
  else {
    if (_isSeparated) result = separatedAmount();
    else {
      if (_isRetired) result = retiredAmount();
      else result = normalPayAmount();
    };
  }
  return result;
};  

double getPayAmount() {
  if (_isDead) return deadAmount();
  if (_isSeparated) return separatedAmount();
  if (_isRetired) return retiredAmount();
  return normalPayAmount();
};