Section 26906.5 Of Chapter 10. Disability Benefit From California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 14. >> Chapter 10.
26906.5
. (a) Upon application for a disability benefit under this
part, the participant may elect to receive the disabled benefit in
the form of an annuity provided the sum of the employee account and
employer account equals or exceeds three thousand five hundred
dollars ($3,500). If the participant elects to receive the disability
benefit as an annuity, the participant shall elect one of the
following forms of payment:
(1) Participant only annuity. This is a single life annuity with a
cash refund feature that is the actuarial equivalent of the amount
that would be payable to the participant if the participant elected
to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. Upon the
death of the participant, an amount equal to the remaining balance of
the participant's contributions and interest shall be paid in a lump
sum to the participant's beneficiary.
(2) One hundred percent beneficiary annuity. This is a joint and
survivor annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum
payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the
participant and the participant's annuity beneficiary. Upon the death
of the participant, 100 percent of the monthly amount that was
payable to the participant shall be paid monthly to the participant's
surviving annuity beneficiary.
(3) Seventy-five percent beneficiary annuity. This is a joint and
survivor annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum
payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the
participant and the participant's annuity beneficiary. Pursuant to
Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, unless the annuity
beneficiary is the participant's spouse or former spouse who has been
awarded a community property interest in the participant's benefits
under this part, the participant may not designate an annuity
beneficiary under this annuity who is more than exactly 19 years
younger than the participant. Upon the death of the participant, 75
percent of the monthly amount that was payable to the participant
shall be paid monthly to the participant's surviving annuity
beneficiary.
(4) Fifty percent beneficiary annuity. This is a joint and
survivor annuity that is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum
payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the
participant and the participant's annuity beneficiary. Upon the death
of the participant, 50 percent of the monthly amount that was
payable to the participant shall be paid monthly to the participant's
surviving annuity beneficiary.
(5) A period certain annuity. This form of payment is an annuity
that is equal to the actuarial equivalent of the balance of credits
in the participant's Cash Balance Benefit account on the date the
disability benefit becomes payable. The annuity shall be payable in
whole year increments over a period of years specified by the
participant, from a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years.
However, the annuity period may not exceed the life expectancy of the
participant or of the participant and the participant's annuity
beneficiary. If the participant's death occurs prior to the end of
the period certain, the remaining balance of payments shall be paid
to the participant's annuity beneficiary pursuant to Section 27007.
(b) If an annuity beneficiary designated pursuant to paragraph
(2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) predeceases the participant, the
annuity shall be paid to the participant as the participant only
annuity described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) that would have
been payable had the participant elected that form of payment at the
commencement of the benefit. That participant only annuity shall be
payable as of the day following the date of the annuity beneficiary's
death upon receipt by the system of proof of the annuity beneficiary'
s death. If the annuity beneficiary predeceases the participant, the
participant may designate a new annuity beneficiary. The effective
date of the new designation shall be six months following the date
notification is received by the board, provided both the participant
and the new designated annuity beneficiary are then living. Notice to
the board of the death of the annuity beneficiary shall be on a
properly executed form provided by the system. The designation of the
new annuity beneficiary under this paragraph is subject to an
actuarial modification of the participant only annuity and may not
result in any additional liability to the fund.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 297 or 299.2 of the Family Code, a
spouse as described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) does not
include the domestic partner of the participant pursuant to Section 7
of Title 1 of the United States Code.
(d) If there is a determination of community property rights as
described in Chapter 15 (commencing with Section 27400) of this part
on or before December 31, 2006, the participant may elect the annuity
that is required by the judgment or court order. Nothing in this
part shall permit the participant to change the annuity to the
detriment of the community property interest of the nonparticipant
spouse.