Chapter 28. Options of California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 13. >> Chapter 28.

(a) A member may, upon application for retirement, elect an option pursuant to this part that would provide an actuarially modified retirement allowance payable throughout the life of the member and the member's option beneficiary or beneficiaries, as follows:
  (1) Option 2. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member. Upon the retired member's death, an allowance equal to the modified amount that the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (2) Option 3. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member. Upon the retired member's death, an allowance equal to one-half of the modified amount that the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (3) Option 4. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member as long as both the retired member and the option beneficiary are living. Upon the death of either the retired member or the option beneficiary, an allowance equal to two-thirds of the modified amount that the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the surviving retired member or the surviving option beneficiary.
  (4) Option 5. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member as long as both the retired member and the option beneficiary are living. Upon the death of either the retired member or the option beneficiary, an allowance equal to one-half of the modified amount that the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the surviving retired member or surviving option beneficiary.
  (5) Option 6. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member and upon the retired member's death, an allowance equal to the modified amount that the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (6) Option 7. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member and upon the retired member's death, an allowance equal to one-half of the modified amount the retired member was receiving shall be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (7) Option 8. (A) A member may designate multiple option beneficiaries. The member who has designated more than one option beneficiary shall elect an option that the member is authorized to elect subject to subdivision (e) for each beneficiary designated that would provide an actuarially modified retirement allowance payable throughout the lives of the member and the member's option beneficiaries upon the member's death.
  (B) The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member as long as the retired member and at least one of the option beneficiaries are living. Upon the retired member's death, an allowance shall be paid to each surviving option beneficiary in accordance with the option elected respective to that beneficiary. The member shall determine the percentage of the unmodified allowance that will be modified by the election of Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5, Option 6, or Option 7 within this option, the aggregate of which shall equal 100 percent of the member's unmodified allowance. The election of this option is subject to approval by the board.
  (C) A member who is a party to an action for legal separation or dissolution of marriage and who is required by court order to designate a spouse or former spouse as an option beneficiary may designate his or her spouse or former spouse as a sole option beneficiary under subparagraphs (A) and (B). The member shall specify the option elected for the spouse or former spouse and the percentage of his or her unmodified allowance to be modified by the option, consistent with the court order. The percentage of the member' s unmodified allowance that is not modified by the option shall remain an unmodified allowance payable to the member. The aggregate of the percentages specified for the option beneficiary and the member's remaining unmodified allowance, if any, shall equal 100 percent.
  (b) For purposes of this section, the member shall designate an option beneficiary on a properly executed retirement application. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the option shall become effective on the member's benefit effective date.
  (c) A member may revoke or change an election of an option at any time prior to the effective date of the member's retirement under this part. A revocation or change of an option may not be made in derogation of a spouse's or former spouse's community property rights as specified in a court order.
  (d) On or before July 1, 2004, the board shall evaluate the existing options and annuities provided pursuant to this section, Chapter 38 (commencing with Section 25000) of this part, and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000) and adopt, as a plan amendment, any appropriate changes to the options and annuities based on the needs of members, participants, and their beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, providing economic security for beneficiaries and reducing complexity in the election of options and annuities by members and participants. The changes to the options and annuities may have no net actuarial impact on the retirement fund, and the board may establish any eligibility criteria it deems necessary to prevent an adverse actuarial impact to the fund. The board shall designate the effective date of the plan amendment, which shall be at least 18 months after the amendment is adopted by the board, and notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the options and annuities available to members and participants eligible to retire pursuant to this part and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000), after the effective date of the plan amendment made pursuant to this subdivision, shall reflect the changes adopted as a plan amendment pursuant to this subdivision.
  (e) Any member or participant who retired and elected an option or a joint and survivor annuity, or who filed a preretirement election of an option prior to the effective date of the plan amendment made pursuant to subdivision (d), may elect to change to a different option or joint and survivor annuity, as modified by the board as a plan amendment pursuant to subdivision (d), if the member or participant meets all the criteria established by the board to prevent a change in an option or joint and survivor annuity from having an adverse actuarial impact on the retirement fund, including, but not limited to, the effective date of a new designation or limitations on any changes if a member or participant, as the case may be, or beneficiary, or both, is currently not living or afflicted with a known terminal illness. The member or participant shall designate the change during the six-month period that begins with the effective date of the plan amendment, on a form prescribed by the system. Any member changing an option election pursuant to this subdivision is not subject to the allowance reduction prescribed in Section 24309 or 24310 as a result of the election. If a member or participant elects to change his or her option or joint and survivor annuity under this subdivision, the member or participant shall retain the same option beneficiary or beneficiaries as named in the prior designation.
  (f) The Legislature reserves the right to modify this section prior to the effective date of the plan amendment made pursuant to subdivision (d) to prevent any actuarial impact to the fund.
  (g) Except as described in subdivision (e) of Section 24300.1, on or after January 1, 2007, a member may not make a new election for an option or joint and survivor annuity described in subdivision (a).
  (h) Any member with a retirement effective on or after January 1, 2007, shall elect an option from the options described in Section 24300.1. Any member making a new option election under the provisions of Section 24320, 24321, 24322, or 24323 shall elect an option from the options described in Section 24300.1 if the effective date of the new option election is on or after January 1, 2007.

(a) A member may, upon application for retirement, elect an option pursuant to this part that would provide an actuarially modified retirement allowance payable throughout the life of the member and the member's option beneficiary or beneficiaries, as follows:
  (1) One hundred percent beneficiary option. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member and upon the member's death, 100 percent of the modified allowance shall continue to be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (2) Seventy-five percent beneficiary option. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member and upon the member's death, 75 percent of the modified allowance shall continue to be paid to the option beneficiary. Pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the option beneficiary is the member's spouse or former spouse who has been awarded a community property interest in the benefits of the member under this part, the member may not designate an option beneficiary under this option who is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (3) Fifty percent beneficiary option. The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the retired member and upon the member's death, 50 percent of the modified allowance shall continue to be paid to the option beneficiary.
  (4) Compound option. The member may designate multiple option beneficiaries or one or multiple option beneficiaries with a designated percentage to remain unmodified. The member shall elect an option as described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) for each designated option beneficiary that would provide an actuarially modified retirement allowance payable throughout the lives of the retired member and the member's option beneficiary or beneficiaries upon the member's death.
  (A) The modified retirement allowance shall be paid to the member as long as the member and at least one option beneficiary is living. Upon the member's death, an allowance shall be paid to each surviving option beneficiary in accordance with the option elected respective to that option beneficiary.
  (B) The member shall specify the percent of the unmodified allowance that will be modified by the election of each option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of this subdivision. The percent of the unmodified allowance that is not modified by an option, if any, shall be payable to the member. The sum of the percentages specified for the option beneficiary or beneficiaries and the member's remaining unmodified allowance, if any, shall equal 100 percent.
  (C) The member's election of the compound option is subject to all of the following:
  (i) Pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the option beneficiary is the member's spouse or former spouse who has been awarded a community property interest in the member's benefits under this part, the member may not designate an option beneficiary under the 100 percent beneficiary option within this compound option who is more than exactly 10 years younger than the member.
  (ii) Pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the option beneficiary is the member's spouse or former spouse who has been awarded a community property interest in the member's benefits under this part, the member may not designate an option beneficiary under the 75 percent beneficiary option within this compound option who is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (b) For purposes of this section, the member shall designate an option beneficiary on a properly executed retirement application. Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the option shall become effective on the member's benefit effective date.
  (c) A member may revoke or change an election of an option no later than 30 days from the date the member's initial benefit payment for the member's most recent retirement under the Defined Benefit Program is paid by the system. A revocation of an option may not be made in derogation of a spouse's or a former spouse's community property rights as specified in a court order.
  (d) Notwithstanding Section 297 or 299.2 of the Family Code, a spouse described in paragraphs (2) and (4) of subdivision (a) does not include the domestic partner of the member, pursuant to Section 7 of Title 1 of the United States Code.
  (e) If there is a determination of community property rights as described in Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 22650) of this part on or before December 31, 2006, the member may elect the option that is required by the judgment or court order. Nothing in this part shall permit the member to change the option to the detriment of the community property interest of the nonmember spouse.
  (f) The board may evaluate the existing options and annuities provided pursuant to this section, Chapter 38 (commencing with Section 25000) of this part, and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000) and adopt, as a plan amendment, any appropriate changes to the options and annuities based on the needs of the members, participants, and their beneficiaries, including, but not limited to, providing economic security for beneficiaries and reducing the complexity of the options and annuities. The changes to the options and annuities may have no net actuarial impact on the retirement fund and the board may establish any eligibility criteria the board deems necessary to prevent an adverse actuarial impact to the fund. The board shall designate the effective date of the plan amendment, which shall be at least 18 months after the amendment is adopted by the board, and notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the options and annuities available to members and participants eligible to retire pursuant to this part and Part 14 (commencing with Section 26000), after the effective date of the plan amendment made pursuant to this subdivision, shall reflect the changes adopted as a plan amendment to this subdivision.

(a) A member who qualifies to apply for retirement under Section 24201 or 24203 may make a preretirement election of an option, as provided in Section 24300.1 without right of revocation or change after the benefit effective date, except as provided in this part. The preretirement election of an option shall become effective as of the date of the member's signature on a properly executed form prescribed by the system, subject to the following requirements:
  (1) The form includes the signature of the member's spouse or registered domestic partner, if applicable, and the signature is dated.
  (2) The date the form is received at the system's headquarters office is within 30 days after the date of the member's signature and, if applicable, the spouse's or registered domestic partner's signature.
  (b) A member who makes a preretirement election of an Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5, Option 6, or Option 7 pursuant to Section 24300, or an election as described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of Section 24300.1 may subsequently make a preretirement election of the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1. The member may retain the same option and the same option beneficiary as named in the prior preretirement election for a designated percentage within the compound option.
  (c) Upon the member's death prior to the benefit effective date, the beneficiary who was designated under the option elected and who survives shall receive an allowance calculated under the option, under the assumption that the member retired for service pursuant to Chapter 27 (commencing with Section 24201) on the date of death. The payment of the allowance to the option beneficiary shall be in lieu of the family allowance provided in Section 23804, the payment provided in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 23802, the survivor benefit allowance provided in Section 23854, and the payment provided in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 23852, except that if the beneficiary dies before all of the member's accumulated retirement contributions are paid, the balance, if any, shall be paid to the estate of the person last receiving or entitled to receive the allowance. The accumulated annuity deposit contributions and the death payment provided in Sections 23801 and 23851 shall be paid to the beneficiary in a lump sum.
  (d) If the member subsequently retires for service, and the elected option has not been canceled pursuant to Section 24309, a modified service retirement allowance computed under Section 24300 or 24300.1 and the option elected shall be paid.
  (e) The amount of the service retirement allowance prior to applying the option factor shall be calculated as of the earlier of the member's age at death before retirement or age on the last day of the month in which the member requested service retirement be effective. The modification of the service retirement allowance by the option elected shall be based on the ages of the member and the beneficiary designated under the option, as of the date the election was signed.
  (f) A member who terminates the service retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24208 shall not be eligible to file a preretirement election of an option until one calendar year elapses from the date the allowance is terminated. If the member retires again within one calendar year of the termination of their benefit pursuant to Section 24208, the retired member shall keep, upon subsequent retirement, the option and beneficiary or the unmodified election in place upon the date the termination of the benefits became effective.
  (1) If the member's option beneficiary or beneficiaries predecease the member within one calendar year of the termination of benefits and before the member has retired again, upon notification to the system, the system shall cancel the option and beneficiary from that portion of the benefit with reduction pursuant to Section 24309. The member shall not elect a new option or beneficiary pursuant to Section 24310 until one calendar year from the termination effective date has elapsed.
  (2) If a final decree of dissolution of marriage or a judgment of nullity has been entered or an order of separate maintenance has been made within one calendar year of the termination of benefits and the member has not retired again, upon notification to the system, the system shall cancel or change the option election in accordance with the court order with reduction pursuant to Section 24309. Any additional changes shall not be made until one calendar year from the termination effective date has elapsed.
  (g) The system shall inform members who are qualified to make a preretirement election of an option, through the annual statements of account, that the election of an option can be made.

Upon retirement for service, the member who filed a preretirement election of an option under Section 24307 shall have his or her allowance modified by the greater of the option factor as of the effective date of the preretirement election, or the option factor at the time the member's retirement became effective.

(a) A member may change or cancel the election of an option made pursuant to Section 24307. The change or cancellation shall be on a properly executed form provided by the system and received at the system's headquarters office within 30 days after the date of the member's signature and, if applicable, the spouse's signature, and no later than 30 days from the date the member's initial benefit payment for the member's most recent retirement under the Defined Benefit Program is paid by the system. The change or cancellation shall become effective as of the date of the member's signature or the day prior to the member's benefit effective date, whichever is earlier.
  (1) Any change to an election of an option shall be made according to Section 24307 and shall be considered a new preretirement election of an option.
  (2) Regardless of how the member elects to receive his or her retirement allowance, a change made to an election of an option or a cancellation of an option shall result in the reduction of that allowance by an amount determined by the board to be the actuarial equivalent of the coverage the member received as a result of the preretirement election and that does not result in any adverse funding to the plan.
  (b) If the option beneficiary designated in the preretirement election of an option pursuant to Section 24307 dies prior to the member's retirement, the preretirement election shall be canceled as of the day following the date of death and the member's subsequent retirement allowance under this part shall be subject to the allowance reduction prescribed in this section.
  (c) If the option elected pursuant to Section 24307 is "Option 8" as described in paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300 or the compound option as described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1, a member may cancel the designation of an option beneficiary. If the member cancels the designation of the option beneficiary or the option beneficiary predeceases the member prior to the member's retirement, the member may elect to receive that portion of the retirement allowance without modification for the option or elect one or multiple new or existing option beneficiaries as described in Section 24307. Any change or cancellation of the designation of the option beneficiary under this subdivision shall result in the allowance reduction prescribed in this section.

If an election of an option is canceled under Section 24309, the member may again elect an option under Section 24307. If an election of an option is changed or canceled during any year, the reduction for that year shall be that for the option to which the greater reduction under Section 24309 as it read on December 31, 1995, is applicable.

Upon termination of a service retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24208, any option elected pursuant to Section 24300 or 24300.1 and in effect at the time of reinstatement shall be considered to be a preretirement election of an option elected as of the effective date of the most recent retirement and shall be subject to the same provisions as an option elected under Section 24307.

Termination of the service retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24208 shall not cancel an option elected under the provisions of Section 24307. The effective date of the option shall remain the original election date pursuant to Section 24307.

(a) An option elected under Section 24300 or 24300.1 may be canceled by a retired member if the option beneficiary is not the retired member's spouse or former spouse. A retired member may cancel the option before or after issuance of the first retirement allowance payment and shall designate his or her spouse as the new option beneficiary and the same or a different joint and survivor option described in Section 24300.1.
  (b) The retired member shall notify the board, in writing on a properly executed form provided by the system, of the designation of the new option beneficiary. Notification shall include a certified copy of the marriage certificate and a properly executed form for the change.
  (c) The effective date of the new election shall be six months following the date notification is received by the board, provided both the retired member and the new designated option beneficiary are then living. If the effective date of the new option election is on or after January 1, 2007, at the time of the new election the retired member shall elect an option from the options described in Section 24300.1. If, before the new election becomes effective, the member terminates his or her benefit pursuant to Section 24208 or the retired member or the new option beneficiary dies, the new election is void and the previous election remains in effect.
  (d) The election of the option and designation of the option beneficiaries under this section and Section 24300.1 shall be subject to an actuarial modification of the retirement allowance. In no event may a retired member elect a joint and survivor option that would result in any additional liability to the fund. A retired member may not elect the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1. Modification of the retirement allowance because of the new option beneficiary and the new option shall be based on the ages of the retired member and the new option beneficiary as of the effective date of the new election.

(a) Any retired member who was unmarried and not in a registered domestic partnership on the benefit effective date who did not elect an option pursuant to Section 24300, 24300.1, or 24307, and who thereafter marries or registers in a domestic partnership, may, after the effective date of the member's retirement under this part, elect an option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1, naming his or her new spouse or registered domestic partner as the option beneficiary, subject to all of the following:
  (1) The retired member shall have been married or registered in a domestic partnership for at least one year prior to making the election of the option.
  (2) The retired member shall notify the board, in writing on a properly executed form provided by the system, of the election of the option and the designation of the member's new spouse or registered domestic partner as the option beneficiary. That notice shall include a certified copy of the marriage certificate or the certificate of registration of domestic partnership.
  (3) The election of an option under this section is subject to approval by the board. A retired member may not elect a joint and survivor option that would result in any additional liability to the retirement fund. A retired member may not elect the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (4) The election shall be effective six months after the date the notification is received by the board, provided that both the retired member and the retired member's designated spouse or registered domestic partner are then living. If the effective date of the new option election is on or after January 1, 2007, at the time of the new election the retired member shall elect an option from the options described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1. If, before the new election becomes effective, the member terminates his or her benefit pursuant to Section 24208 or the retired member or the new option beneficiary dies, the new election is void and the unmodified election remains in effect.
  (b) The election of the option and designation of the option beneficiary under this section shall result in an actuarial modification of the member's retirement allowance that shall be payable through the life of the member and the member's new spouse or registered domestic partner. Modification of the member's retirement allowance pursuant to this section shall be based on the ages of the retired member and the retired member's new spouse or registered domestic partner as of the effective date of the election.

(a) An option elected under Section 24300, 24300.1, or 24307 may be canceled by a retired member if the option beneficiary is the retired member's spouse or former spouse and a final decree of dissolution of marriage or a judgment of nullity has been entered or an order of separate maintenance has been made on or after January 1, 1978, by a court of competent jurisdiction. A retired member may cancel the option before or after issuance of the first retirement allowance payment.
  (b) The retired member shall notify the board in writing of cancellation of the option. Notification shall not be earlier than the effective date of the decree, judgment, or order and shall include a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution, or judgment of nullity, or an order of separate maintenance, and any property settlement agreement.
  (c) Upon notification to the board, the retired member may elect: (1) to receive the unmodified retirement allowance from the date of receipt of the notification; or (2) a new joint and survivor option under Section 24300.1 and may designate one or multiple new option beneficiaries. Modification of the retirement allowance because of the newly elected option or newly designated beneficiary or beneficiaries shall be based on the ages of the retired member and the new option beneficiary or beneficiaries as of the effective date of the new option. The election of a new joint and survivor option or the designation of a new option beneficiary or beneficiaries shall be consistent with the final decree of dissolution, judgment of nullity, order of separate maintenance, or property settlement agreement, and shall not result in any additional liability to the Teachers' Retirement Fund. The effective date of the change shall be the date notification is received by the board.

(a) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of an Option 2 or Option 3 as described in Section 24300 predeceases the retired member, the retired member may elect a new joint and survivor option described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 and designate one or multiple new option beneficiaries.
  (b) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of an Option 4 or Option 5 as described in Section 24300 predeceases the retired member, a retirement allowance adjusted for the specified option shall be payable to the retired member and shall commence to accrue to the retired member as of the day following the date of the death of the option beneficiary. The retired member may elect a new joint and survivor option described in paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 and designate one or multiple new option beneficiaries.
  (c) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of Option 2 or Option 3 within Option 8 as described in Section 24300 predeceases the retired member, the retired member may elect a new joint and survivor option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 and designate a new option beneficiary for the portion of the retirement allowance that was modified for the prior option beneficiary. The retired member may not elect the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (d) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of Option 4 or Option 5 within Option 8 as described in Section 24300 predeceases the retired member, a retirement allowance adjusted for the specified option for the portion of the benefit allocated to that beneficiary shall be payable to the retired member and shall commence to accrue to the retired member as of the day following the date of the death of the option beneficiary. The retired member may elect a new joint and survivor option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 for that portion of the retirement allowance that was modified for the prior option beneficiary and designate a new option beneficiary. The retired member may not elect the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (e) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of an Option 6 or Option 7 or in the election of Option 6 or Option 7 within Option 8, pursuant to Section 24300 predeceases the retired member, that portion of the retirement allowance attributable to Option 6 or Option 7 without modification for the option shall be payable to the retired member upon notification to the board and shall commence to accrue to the retired member as of the day following the date of the death of the option beneficiary. The retired member may designate a new beneficiary for that portion of the retirement allowance within the same option designated for the prior beneficiary.
  (f) If an option beneficiary designated in the election of an option pursuant to paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 predeceases the retired member, that portion of the retirement allowance attributable to the option without modification for the option shall be payable to the member upon notification to the board and shall commence to accrue to the retired member as of the day following the date of the death of the option beneficiary. The retired member may designate a new beneficiary for that portion of the retirement allowance within the same option designated for the prior beneficiary.
  (g) The retired member shall submit proof of death of the prior beneficiary before making a new beneficiary election under this section. The effective date of any new election under this section shall be six months following the date notification is received by the board provided both the retired member and the newly designated option beneficiary are living on the date the new election is to become effective. Notification shall be on a properly executed form prescribed by the system for the new designation.
  (h) If, before the new election becomes effective, the member reinstates pursuant to Section 24208 or the retired member or new option beneficiary dies, the new election is void.
  (i) If the retired member is eligible to elect a new option and the effective date of the new option election is on or after January 1, 2007, at the time of the new election the retired member shall elect an option from the options described in Section 24300.1.
  (j) The election of the new joint and survivor option under this section and Section 24300.1 is subject to an actuarial modification of the retirement allowance. In no event may a retired member elect a joint and survivor option that would result in any additional liability to the fund.
  (k) The new option beneficiary cannot be an existing option beneficiary for that member designated under paragraph (7) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300 or paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.

(a) A member who is receiving a joint and survivor annuity under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program may change the annuity or the annuity beneficiary elected pursuant to Section 25011, 25011.1, 25018, or 25018.1, provided all of the following conditions are met:
  (1) The annuity beneficiary is the member's spouse or former spouse.
  (2) A final decree of dissolution of marriage is granted, or a judgment of nullity is entered, or an order of separate maintenance is made by a court of competent jurisdiction with respect to the member and the spouse or former spouse on or after the beginning of the initial plan year designated by the board pursuant to Section 22156.05.
  (3) The change is consistent with the final decree of dissolution, judgment of nullity, or order of separate maintenance.
  (b) A member may change the annuity pursuant to subdivision (a) before or after the first annuity payment is issued.
  (c) The member shall notify the system in writing of the change in the annuity. The notification shall not be earlier than the effective date of the final decree of dissolution, judgment of nullity, or order of separate maintenance and shall include a certified copy of the final decree of dissolution, judgment of nullity, or order of separate maintenance, and any property settlement agreement.
  (d) A change in the annuity or annuity beneficiary or both shall become effective on the date the notification of change is received by the system. The annuity amount payable to the member upon the change elected by the member shall be determined as of the effective date of the change and shall be the actuarial equivalent of the lump sum that would otherwise be payable to the member as of the date of the change. If the member elects a joint and survivor annuity, the amount payable under the annuity shall be modified consistent with the annuity elected by the member.

(a) The election of an option as provided in Section 24307 shall preclude the payment of a family allowance to any beneficiary under this part.
  (b) The preretirement election of an option made by the member pursuant to Section 24307 shall be voided by the board as of the effective date of an approved disability retirement under this part. Members receiving a disability retirement allowance pursuant to Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100) may not file an election of option as provided in Section 24307.
  (c) The election of an option as provided in Section 24307 shall preclude the payment of a survivor benefit allowance pursuant to Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 23850) and shall preclude the payment of the remaining balance of the member's accumulated retirement contributions prior to the death of the option beneficiary.

An option beneficiary who is receiving an allowance pursuant to the option elected by the member may designate a beneficiary to receive any allowance that has accrued and is unpaid, and any remaining balance of the retired member's accumulated retirement contributions payable pursuant to Section 23881, upon the death of the option beneficiary.

(a) A member upon application for a disability retirement pursuant to Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100), may elect, as provided in Section 24300 or 24300.1 to receive an actuarially modified disability retirement allowance.
  (b) For purposes of this section, the member shall either elect to receive an unmodified allowance or designate an option beneficiary on a properly executed form prescribed by the system, either of which shall be filed with the system on or before the last day of the month in which the member's disability retirement is approved by the system. The option shall become effective on the effective date of the disability retirement allowance. The modification of the disability retirement allowance under the option elected shall be based on the ages of the retired member and the designated option beneficiary as of the effective date of the disability retirement. The modification shall be applicable only to the disability retirement allowance payable pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 24106.
  (c) Except as provided in Sections 24300, 24300.1, 24320, 24321, 24322, and 24323, a member may revoke or change an election of an option no later than 30 days from the date of the member's initial disability retirement benefit payment.
  (d) If a member dies prior to electing an unmodified allowance or an option, the death benefits shall be payable under Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 23850), regardless of whether the disability retirement application is or would have been approved.

Upon termination of a disability retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24117, any option elected at the time of retirement pursuant to Section 24332 shall be void as of the effective date of the reinstatement. The preretirement election of option subsequent to termination of the allowance pursuant to Section 24117 shall be subject to the following:
  (a) A member may not make a preretirement election of option pursuant to Section 24307 prior to becoming qualified to make application for service retirement under Section 24201 or 24203.
  (b) A member who was receiving an unmodified disability retirement allowance prior to termination of the allowance may not make a preretirement election of option earlier than six months following the date on which the disability retirement allowance was terminated pursuant to Section 24117.
  (c) A member who has elected an option pursuant to Section 24332, and is otherwise eligible to make a preretirement election of an option, may make the election anytime during the six months following the date on which the disability retirement allowance was terminated pursuant to Section 24117. The member shall elect the same option and designate the same option beneficiary as designated under Section 24332 when making the election during the six-month period following the date the disability retirement allowance was terminated.

(a) A member who has a preretirement election of an option in effect on December 31, 1990, may change his or her preretirement election of Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, or Option 5 to either Option 6 or Option 7 without the allowance reduction prescribed in Sections 24309 and 24310, provided the change is made on or after January 1, 1991, and prior to the earlier of January 1, 1992, or the member's retirement under this part.
  (b) If the member elects to change his or her option under this section, then the member shall retain the same option beneficiary as named in the prior preretirement election. The election to change the preretirement election under this section shall be void if not received in the system's headquarters office at least 30 days prior to the death of the option beneficiary.

(a) A member who retired for service under Option 2 or Option 3 with an effective date prior to January 1, 1991, may elect to change Option 2 to Option 6 or Option 3 to Option 7 under all of the following conditions:
  (1) The election is made during the six-month period commencing July 1, 1994, and ending December 31, 1994.
  (2) The same beneficiary under Option 2 or Option 3 is named as beneficiary under Option 6 or Option 7.
  (3) The change in options is consistent with Sections 22453 and 24322.
  (4) The option beneficiary is not afflicted with any known terminal illness and the retired member shall state under penalty of perjury that to the best of his or her knowledge the option beneficiary is not afflicted with any known terminal illness.
  (5) The option beneficiary has not predeceased the retired member as of the effective date of the change in options.
  (b) The change in options shall be effective on the date the election is signed, provided that the election is received at the system's headquarters office within 30 days after the date of the signature.
  (c) If an election to change options is made pursuant to this section, the modified allowance shall be reduced in a manner determined by the board to ensure that no additional liability shall be incurred by the plan pursuant to this section.

(a) Any member who retired for service under Option 4 or Option 5 with an effective date prior to January 1, 1991, may elect to change Option 4 to Option 6 or Option 5 to Option 7 if all of the following conditions are met:
  (1) The election is made during the three-month period commencing January 1, 1999, and ending March 31, 1999.
  (2) The same beneficiary under Option 4 or Option 5 is named as beneficiary under Option 6 or Option 7.
  (3) The change in options is consistent with Sections 22453 and 24322.
  (4) The option beneficiary is not afflicted with any known terminal illness.
  (5) The option beneficiary has not predeceased the retired member as of the effective date of the change in option.
  (6) The election to change the option under this section is received at the system's headquarters office at least 30 days prior to the death of the option beneficiary.
  (b) Failure to satisfy all of the conditions in subdivision (a) shall render the change of election invalid.
  (c) The change in options under this section shall be effective on the date the election is signed, provided all the conditions set forth in subdivision (a) are satisfied and the election is received at the system's headquarters office within 30 days after the date of the signature.
  (d) The election of a new joint and survivor option under this section is subject to a further modification of the modified retirement allowance. In no event may a retired member elect a joint and survivor option that would result in any additional liability to the fund.

(a) Any member who retired for service under Option 2 or Option 3 with an effective date prior to January 1, 1991, whose option beneficiary had died prior to January 1, 1995, shall receive, effective January 1, 1999, the retirement allowance without modification for the option if all of the following conditions are met:
  (1) The retired member is living as of January 1, 1999.
  (2) The retired member has not elected a new option beneficiary under Section 24323.
  (3) The retirement allowance without modification for the option payable as of January 1, 1999, is greater than the amount payable under the option, plus the amounts from annual benefit improvements, ad hoc benefit increases, and payments from the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account.
  (4) The retired member does not inform the system in writing, on a form provided by the system, within 30 days of receipt of the notification of the change to the retirement allowance without modification for the option, of his or her election to continue to receive the option allowance.
  (b) Any member who retired for service under Option 4 or Option 5 with an effective date prior to January 1, 1991, whose option beneficiary had died prior to January 1, 1999, shall receive effective January 1, 1999, the retirement allowance without modification for the option if all the following conditions are met:
  (1) The retired member is living as of January 1, 1999.
  (2) The retired member has not elected a new option beneficiary under Section 24323.
  (3) The retirement allowance without modification for the option payable as of January 1, 1999, is greater than the amount payable under the option, plus the amount from annual benefit improvements, ad hoc benefit increases, and payments from the Supplemental Benefit Maintenance Account.
  (4) The retired member does not inform the system in writing, on a form provided by the system, within 30 days of receipt of the notification of the change to the retirement allowance without modification for the option, of his or her election to continue to receive the option allowance.
  (c) The change to the retirement allowance without modification for the option shall be consistent with Section 22453.
  (d) A member retired for service who receives the retirement allowance without modification for the option provided under this section shall not elect a new option beneficiary under Section 24323.
  (e) The cost of this section shall be paid by the transfer for that purpose of the one-time gain accrued to the State Teachers' Retirement System from the difference between the contributions received pursuant to Sections 22901 and 22950 in the 1997-98 fiscal year minus the normal cost as displayed in the June 30, 1997, actuarial valuation.

(a) A member who has a preretirement election of an option in effect on December 31, 1999, may change his or her preretirement election of Option 2, Option 3, Option 4, Option 5, Option 6, or Option 7 to Option 8 without the allowance reduction prescribed in Sections 24309 and 24310, provided the change is made on or after January 1, 2000, and prior to the earlier of July 1, 2000, or the member's benefit effective date.
  (b) If the member elects to change his or her option under this section then the member shall retain the same option and the same option beneficiary as named in the prior preretirement election of an option as one of the options under Option 8. The election to change the preretirement election under this section shall be void if not received in the system's headquarters office at least 30 days prior to the death of the option beneficiary.
  (c) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2000.

(a) A member who retired and elected an option pursuant to Section 24300 may elect to change options, subject to all of the following:
  (1) A member who elected Option 2 may elect to change to the 100-percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (1) or the 75-percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (2) A member who elected Option 3, Option 4, or Option 5 may elect to change to the 75-percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) or the 50-percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (3) A member who elected Option 6 or Option 7 may elect to change to the 75-percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (4) A member who elected Option 8 may elect to have any designated percentage of his or her unmodified allowance changed in accordance with paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
  (5) The election by a member under this section is made on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to July 1, 2007.
  (6) The member designates the same beneficiary that was designated under the prior option elected by the member, if the option and beneficiary designation were effective on or before December 31, 2006.
  (7) The member and the option beneficiary are not afflicted with a known terminal illness and the member declares, under penalty of perjury under the laws of this state, that to the best of his or her knowledge, he or she and the option beneficiary are not afflicted with a known terminal illness.
  (8) The option beneficiary has not predeceased the member as of the effective date of the change in the option by the member.
  (b) The change in the option by the member shall be effective on the date the election is signed, provided that the election is on a properly executed form provided by the system and that election is received at the system's headquarters office within 30 days after the date the election is signed.
  (c) After receipt of a member's election document, the system shall mail an acknowledgment notice to the member that sets forth the new option elected by the member.
  (d) If the member and the option beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, a member may cancel the election to change options and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting option election. After cancellation, the member may elect to make a one-time change from the preexisting option to any other option provided by and subject to the restrictions of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a). The cancellation or the cancellation and one-time change shall be made on a properly executed form provided by the system and shall be received at the system's headquarters office no later than 30 calendar days following the date of mailing of the acknowledgment notice. If the member elects to make the one-time change provided by this subdivision, the change shall be effective as of the member's signature date on the initial election to change.
  (e) If the system is unable to mail an acknowledgment notice to the member on or before June 1, 2007, or prior to the end of the election period, provided that the member and the option beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, the system shall allow a member to cancel the election to change options and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting option election. After cancellation, the member may elect to make a one-time change from the preexisting option to any other option provided by and subject to the restrictions of paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a). The cancellation or the cancellation and one-time change may be made after the end of the election period if it is made on a properly executed form provided by the system and is received at the system's headquarters office no later than 30 days following the date of the acknowledgment notice. If the member elects to make the one-time change provided by this subdivision, the change shall be effective as of the member's signature date on the initial election to change.
  (f) If the member elects to change his or her option as described in subdivision (a), the retirement allowance of the member shall be modified in a manner determined by the board to prevent any additional liability to the plan.
  (g) The member shall not change options in derogation of a spouse' s or former spouse's community property rights as specified in a court order.

(a) A member who has a preretirement election of an option in effect on December 31, 2006, pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 24300 may change his or her preretirement election to an option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 without the allowance reduction described in Sections 24309 and 24310, provided the change is made on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to July 1, 2007.
  (b) A member who has a preretirement election of Option 8 as described in Section 24300 in effect on December 31, 2006, and in that Option 8 election has an option pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 24300, may change any of the options under paragraphs (1) to (6), inclusive, of subdivision (a) of Section 24300 to an option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 without the allowance reduction described in Sections 24309 and 24310, if change is made on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to July 1, 2007. A member may not change the portion of the unmodified benefit that would be modified pursuant to that prior option.
  (c) The election to change the option by a member as described in this section shall be subject to all of the following:
  (1) The member may not change the option beneficiary that was designated in the prior preretirement option election.
  (2) The change in options under this section shall be effective on the date the election is signed, provided that the election is on a properly executed form provided by the system and received at the system's headquarters office within 30 days of the date of the signature.
  (d) If the member elects to change options as described in this section, the age of the member and the option beneficiary on the effective date of the prior preretirement option election shall be the age used to calculate the member's benefit at the time of retirement.

(a) A member who retired and elected an option pursuant to this chapter and designated his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse as option beneficiary may elect to change his or her option subject to the following:
  (1) A member who elected the 100 percent beneficiary option or the 50 percent beneficiary option may elect to change his or her option to the 75 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1, provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (2) (A) A member who elected the compound option may elect to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option to the 100 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1, provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 10 years younger than the member, or the 75 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1, provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (B) If a member elects to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option, the member may also elect to change the option designated to any other option beneficiary or beneficiaries within the compound option to the 100 percent beneficiary option, the 75 percent beneficiary option, or the 50 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (C) If a member elects to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option, the member may also elect to change the percentage of his or her unmodified allowance designated to the option beneficiary or beneficiaries. The percent of the allowance that is not modified by an option, if any, shall be payable to the member. The sum of all percentages specified for the option beneficiary or beneficiaries and the member's remaining unmodified allowance, if any, shall equal 100 percent.
  (D) Any change made pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions of the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 and shall not be construed to allow a member to cancel his or her compound option.
  (3) The option change made by the member pursuant to this section is made on or after July 1, 2015, and on or before December 31, 2015.
  (4) The member married a same-sex spouse, the marriage is or was recognized by the United States government, any state government, or any foreign government, and his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse was designated as his or her option beneficiary prior to July 1, 2015.
  (5) The same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is a current option beneficiary, and the member designates the same option beneficiary or beneficiaries that were designated for the prior option elected by the member.
  (6) The option beneficiary or beneficiaries have not predeceased the member as of the effective date of the option change made by the member pursuant to this section.
  (b) The option change made by a member pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be deemed effective as of the effective date of the prior option elections or June 26, 2013, whichever is later.
  (c) The option change made by the member pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be on a properly executed form provided by the system subject to the following requirements:
  (1) The form is signed and dated by the member and the member's spouse, if applicable, on or after July 1, 2015, and on or before December 31, 2015.
  (2) The date the form is received at the system's headquarters office is within 30 calendar days after the date of the member's signature and within 30 calendar days after the date of the spouse's signature, if applicable.
  (d) After receipt of the member's election, the system shall mail an acknowledgment notice to the member that set forth the new option elected by the member.
  (e) A member may cancel an option change made pursuant to subdivision (a) and elect to receive his or her benefit according to his or her prior option election provided the requirements of paragraphs (5) and (6) of subdivision (a) are still met. The cancellation shall become effective as of the date of the initial option change pursuant to subdivision (b) subject to the following requirements:
  (1) The cancellation is made on a properly executed form provided by the system.
  (2) The form includes the signatures of the member and his or her spouse, if applicable, and the signatures are dated.
  (3) The form is received at the system's headquarters office within 30 calendar days after the date of the acknowledgment notice described in subdivision (d), regardless of whether the form is received after December 31, 2015.
  (f) A member may cancel an initial option change made pursuant to subdivision (a) and elect to make one subsequent change from his or her option election to any other option provided by and subject to the restrictions of subdivision (a). The subsequent change shall become effective as of the date of the initial option change pursuant to subdivision (b) and subject to the following requirements:
  (1) The cancellation and subsequent change are made on a properly executed form provided by the system.
  (2) The form includes the signatures of the member and his or her spouse, if applicable, and the signatures are dated.
  (3) The form is received at the system's headquarters office within 30 calendar days after the date of the acknowledgment notice described in subdivision (d), regardless of whether the form is received after December 31, 2015.
  (g) If a member elects to change his or her option as described in subdivision (a) or (f), the retirement allowance of the member shall be modified in a manner determined by the board to prevent any additional liability to the plan.
  (h) A member shall not change options in derogation of a spouse's or former spouse's community property rights as specified in a court order.

(a) A member who has a preretirement option pursuant to Section 24307 in effect on July 1, 2015, and designated his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse as option beneficiary may elect to change his or her option subject to the following:
  (1) A member who elected the 100 percent beneficiary option or the 50 percent beneficiary option may elect to change his or her option to the 75 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (2) (A) A member who elected the compound option may elect to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option to the 100 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 10 years younger than the member, or the 75 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 provided the member's same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member.
  (B) If a member elects to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option, the member may also elect to change the option designated to any other option beneficiary or beneficiaries within the compound option to the 100 percent beneficiary option, the 75 percent beneficiary option, or the 50 percent beneficiary option described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1.
  (C) If a member elects to change the option designated for his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse within the compound option, the member may also elect to change the percentage of his or her unmodified allowance designated to the option beneficiary or beneficiaries. The percent of the allowance that is not modified by an option, if any, shall be payable to the member. The sum of all percentages specified for the option beneficiary or beneficiaries and the member's remaining unmodified allowance, if any, shall equal 100 percent.
  (D) Any change made pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions of the compound option described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 and shall not be construed to allow a member to cancel his or her compound option.
  (3) The option change made by the member pursuant to this section is made on or after July 1, 2015, and on or before December 31, 2015.
  (4) The member married a same-sex spouse, the marriage is or was recognized by the United States government, any state government, or any foreign government, and his or her same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse was designated as his or her option beneficiary prior to July 1, 2015.
  (5) The same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is a current option beneficiary, and the member designates the same option beneficiary or beneficiaries that were designated for the prior option elected by the member.
  (6) The option beneficiary or beneficiaries have not predeceased the member as of the effective date of the option change made by the member pursuant to this section.
  (b) The option change made by a member pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be deemed effective as of the effective date of the prior election or June 26, 2013, whichever is later.
  (c) The option change made by the member pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be on a properly executed form provided by the system subject to the following requirements:
  (1) The form is signed and dated by the member and the member's spouse, if applicable, on or after July 1, 2015, and on or before December 31, 2015.
  (2) The date the form is received at the system's headquarters office is within 30 calendar days after the date of the member's signature and within 30 calendar days after the date of the spouse's signature, if applicable.
  (d) A preretirement option change made pursuant to this section will not result in the allowance reduction described in Sections 24309 and 24310.
  (e) If a member elects to change options pursuant to this section, the age of the member and the option beneficiary or beneficiaries on the effective date of the prior preretirement option election shall be the age used to calculate the member's benefit at the time of retirement.