Section 27001 Of Chapter 11. Death Benefit From California Education Code >> Division 1. >> Title 1. >> Part 14. >> Chapter 11.

. Notwithstanding Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13100) of Part 1 of Division 8 of the Probate Code or any other provision of law to the contrary, the death benefit payable under the Cash Balance Benefit Program may be requested by the beneficiary and paid by the system as soon as practicable after the system receives proof of the participant's death. Except as provided in Section 27302, the death benefit under this part shall be paid no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of the participant's date of death occurs unless the beneficiary is the participant's spouse in which case distributions must commence on or before the later of either of:
  (a) December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the participant dies.
  (b) December 31 of the calendar year in which the participant would have attained the age of 70 1/2 years.