ARTICLE 6. Final Benefits [25020. - 25023.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 6.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25020. Section 25020.

(a) A final benefit under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program shall become payable when the system receives proof of the member’s death. For a member who died on or after January 1, 2010, no benefit shall be paid to a beneficiary of the member pursuant to other chapters of this part until the final benefit is paid pursuant to this article. (b) If the member’s death occurs before an annuity under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program becomes payable, the final benefit shall be an amount equal to the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date of the member’s death, plus minimum interest credited through the date of payment. (c) Upon distribution of a final benefit in a lump-sum payment, no other benefit shall be payable under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program to the member’s beneficiary.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25021. Section 25021.

(a) A beneficiary, other than an entity, may elect to receive the final benefit payable under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program as an annuity payable in monthly installments provided the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account that is payable to that beneficiary equals at least three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500). (b) A beneficiary who elects to receive an annuity under this section shall elect a period certain annuity. This form of payment is an annuity equal to the actuarial equivalent of the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date of the member’s death. The annuity shall be payable in whole year increments over a period of years specified by the beneficiary, from a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years, but not to exceed the life expectancy of the beneficiary. The beneficiary may designate a payee to receive the remaining balance of payments if the beneficiary’s death occurs prior to the end of the period certain. (c) A beneficiary may designate a payee who would, upon the death of the beneficiary, be entitled to receive the beneficiary’s accrued annuity allowance.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25022. Section 25022.

(a) If the death of a member occurs while the member is receiving an annuity under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program, the final benefit shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the annuity elected by the member. (b) If the member was receiving a single life annuity without a cash refund feature, a final benefit is not payable other than the accrued annuity for the month in which the member’s death occurred, which shall be paid in a lump sum to the beneficiary designated by the member pursuant to Section 23300 or 23301. (c) If the member was receiving a single life annuity with a cash refund feature, the final benefit shall be payable in a lump sum to the beneficiary designated by the member pursuant to Section 23300 or 23301. (d) If the member was receiving a joint and survivor annuity, the annuity shall continue to be paid to the surviving designated annuity beneficiary. If the designated annuity beneficiary predeceases the member, a final benefit is not payable. (e) If the member was receiving a period certain annuity, the remaining balance of payments shall be paid to the beneficiary designated by the member. (1) If the beneficiary is designated pursuant to Section 23300, the remaining period certain annuity payments shall be made over the amount of time remaining in the period originally elected by the deceased member and shall be made in payments equal to the amount of the annuity payments previously received by the deceased member. (2) If the beneficiary is designated pursuant to Section 23301, the remaining balance of period certain annuity payments shall be made in a lump-sum payment equal to the present value of the balance of payments due over the time remaining in the period originally elected by the deceased member. (f) A member may designate a beneficiary who would, upon the death of the member, be entitled to the member’s accrued annuity allowance.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25022.5. Section 25022.5.

(a) If the death of a nonmember spouse occurs while the nonmember spouse is receiving an annuity under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program, the final benefit shall be payable in accordance with the terms of the annuity elected by the nonmember spouse. (b) If the nonmember spouse was receiving a single life annuity without a cash refund feature, a final benefit is not payable. (c) If the nonmember spouse was receiving a single life annuity with a cash refund feature, the final benefit shall be payable in a lump sum to the nonmember spouse’s beneficiary. (d) If the nonmember spouse was receiving a period certain annuity, the remaining balance of payments shall be paid to the payee designated by the nonmember spouse pursuant to Section 22660. (1) If the beneficiary is a person, the remaining period certain annuity payments shall be made over the amount of time remaining in the period originally elected by the deceased member and shall be made in payments equal to the amount of the annuity payments previously received by the deceased member. (2) If the beneficiary is not a person, the remaining balance of period certain annuity payments shall be made in a lump-sum payment equal to the present value of the balance of payments due over the time remaining in the period originally elected by the deceased member.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25023. Section 25023.

(a) Upon the death of an annuity beneficiary who was receiving an annuity under a joint and survivor annuity elected by the member no further payment shall be made other than the accrued annuity for the month in which the annuity beneficiary’s death occurred, which shall be paid in a lump sum to the payee designated by the annuity beneficiary. (b) Upon the death of a beneficiary who was receiving a single life annuity without a cash refund feature, no further payment shall be made other than the accrued annuity for the month in which the beneficiary’s death occurred, which shall be paid in a lump sum to the payee designated by the beneficiary. (c) Upon the death of a beneficiary who was receiving a period certain annuity, the actuarial equivalent of the remaining balance of payments shall be paid in a lump sum to the payee designated by the beneficiary pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 25015.

Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026