CHAPTER 22. Active Death Benefits: Family Allowance [23800. - 23812.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 22.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23800. Section 23800.

(a) This chapter governs the eligibility provisions, benefit provisions, allowance computations, and related provisions for the benefits payable under this part with respect to the Defined Benefit Program upon the death of eligible members. “Members,” as used in this chapter, means all members who were receiving a disability allowance on October 15, 1992, and all persons who were members of the plan under this part on October 15, 1992, who were not receiving an allowance and who did not elect, pursuant to Chapter 21.5 (commencing with Section 23700), to be covered under Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 23850). (b) This chapter also contains three sections related to survivor benefits payable on account of deaths that occurred prior to July 1, 1972.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23801. Section 23801.

(a) A death payment of no less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be paid to the beneficiary upon receipt of proof of death of a member who had one or more years of credited service, including service deemed to the member under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 22851, at least one of which had been earned subsequent to the most recent refund of accumulated retirement contributions, if the member died during any one of the following periods: (1) While in employment for which creditable compensation is paid. (2) While disabled, if the disability had been continuous from the last day for which creditable compensation had been paid. (3) Within four months after termination of creditable service or termination of employment, whichever occurs first. (4) Within four months after termination of a disability allowance if no service was performed after the termination. (5) Within 12 months of the last day for which creditable compensation was paid, if the member was on an approved leave of absence without compensation for reasons other than disability. (6) While on a leave of absence to perform qualified military service, if the death occurred on or after January 1, 2007. (b) A death payment pursuant to this section shall not be payable for the death of a member that occurs within one year commencing with the effective date of reinstatement from service retirement pursuant to Section 24208. (c) The board may adjust the death payment amount following each actuarial valuation based on changes in the All Urban California Consumer Price Index and adopt any adjusted amount as a plan amendment. (d) A beneficiary may waive his or her right to the death payment in accordance with the requirements established by the system. The waiver shall be submitted on a properly executed form prescribed by the system. The filing of a waiver by a beneficiary constitutes a complete and immediate discharge of all obligations of the board, the system, or the plan to or on behalf of the beneficiary.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23802. Section 23802.

(a) Upon receipt of proof of death of a member who has no preretirement option in effect, and who either does not meet the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 23804, or meets the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 23804 but has no eligible survivors for a family allowance as specified in Section 23805 or 23806, there shall be paid to the beneficiary both of the following: (1) The accumulated retirement contributions after July 1, 1935. (2) The accumulated annuity deposit contributions. (b) Accumulated contributions include credited interest through the date of payment. (c) A beneficiary may waive the right to the lump-sum payment pursuant to this section in accordance with the requirements established by the system. The waiver shall be submitted on a properly executed form prescribed by the system. The filing of a waiver by a beneficiary constitutes a complete and immediate discharge of all obligations of the board, the system, or the plan to, or on behalf of, the beneficiary.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23803. Section 23803.

Notwithstanding Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 13100) of Part 1 of Division 8 of the Probate Code, or any other provision of law, death payments and return of contributions pursuant to Sections 23801 and 23802, if any, may be requested by the beneficiary and paid by the system as soon as practicable after receipt of proof of death.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23804. Section 23804.

(a) A family allowance is payable upon the death of an active member or a disabled member who was receiving a disability allowance that began to accrue after June 30, 1972. (b) (1) For the family allowance to be payable upon the death of the member, all of the following conditions shall be met at the time of death: (A) Death occurred after June 30, 1972. (B) A preretirement election of an option is not in effect. (C) The provisions for the death payment under this part have been met. (2) In addition to the conditions specified in paragraph (1), at least one-half year of credited service had been performed subsequent to the end of the last break, if a break in service of more than one year had occurred. (3) In addition to the conditions specified in paragraph (1), at least one year of credited service had been performed subsequent to the last reinstatement date, if reinstated from service or disability retirement. (c) The family allowance shall be paid in lieu of the return of the member’s accumulated retirement contributions. (d) The family allowance may be terminated, if all eligible beneficiaries formally waive their rights in accordance with the requirements established by the system. The waiver shall be submitted on a properly executed form prescribed by the system. All waiver forms for an ongoing benefit shall include an acknowledgment on the part of the waiving beneficiary that the benefit being waived is an ongoing benefit, which may exceed the total amount of contributions and interest payable from the member’s account as a result of the waiver. The filing of a waiver by a beneficiary constitutes a complete and immediate discharge of all obligations of the board, the system, or the plan to or on behalf of the beneficiary.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23805. Section 23805.

A family allowance is payable in the amount and to the specified persons in the following order of priority: (a) To the deceased member’s surviving spouse who has financial responsibility for at least one dependent child, an amount equal to 40 percent of the member’s final compensation or the disabled member’s projected final compensation plus 10 percent of the member’s final compensation or the disabled member’s projected final compensation for each child, up to a maximum allowance of 90 percent. (b) If there is no surviving spouse or upon the death of the surviving spouse, to each dependent child, an amount equal to 10 percent of the deceased member’s final compensation or the disabled member’s projected final compensation, up to a maximum allowance of 50 percent. If there are more than five dependent children, they shall share equally in the maximum allowance of 50 percent. (c) To the surviving spouse at 60 years of age or over if there is no dependent child, a monthly allowance equal to the amount that would have been payable to the spouse as beneficiary under Option 3 pursuant to Section 24300, as that section read on December 31, 2006, that provides an allowance equal to one-half of the modified retirement allowance the member would have received at 60 years of age, computed on the member’s projected final compensation and projected service to normal retirement age. The allowance payable under this subdivision shall be increased by application of the benefit improvement factor for time that elapses between the date the member would have attained normal retirement age and the date the family allowance under this subdivision begins to accrue. The allowance calculation shall include service credit for the unused sick leave that had accrued to the member as of the date of his or her death. Eligibility for the inclusion of service credit for unused sick leave credit and the calculation of that service credit shall be determined pursuant to Section 22717. (d) If there is no surviving spouse or dependent child, to the dependent parent, 60 years of age or over, a monthly allowance equal to the amount that would have been payable to the dependent parent as beneficiary under Option 3 pursuant to Section 24300, as that section read on December 31, 2006, that provides an allowance equal to one-half of the modified retirement allowance the member would have received at 60 years of age, computed on the member’s projected final compensation and projected service to normal retirement age. The allowance calculation shall include service credit for the unused sick leave that had accrued to the member as of the date of his or her death. Eligibility for the inclusion of service credit for unused sick leave and the calculation of that service credit shall be determined pursuant to Section 22717. If there are two dependent parents, only one family allowance shall be payable under this subdivision and that allowance shall be computed on the assumption that the younger parent is the option beneficiary and the allowance shall be divided equally for as long as there are two dependent parents. Thereafter, the full allowance shall be payable to the surviving dependent parent. (e) The surviving spouse or dependent parent may elect to begin receiving the family allowance payable under subdivision (c) or (d) immediately upon the later of the death of the member or when there is no dependent child, or to defer receipt of the allowance to the date the surviving spouse or dependent parent attains 60 years of age. If allowance payments commence prior to the date the surviving spouse or dependent parent attains 60 years of age, the allowance payable shall be actuarially reduced. (f) If there is no dependent child, a surviving spouse or dependent parent or parents may elect, prior to receipt of the first payment under subdivision (c) or (d), to receive the member’s accumulated retirement contributions in a lump sum subject to a reduction for any disability allowance or family allowance payments previously made. (g) (1) The allowance calculated under this section shall not include either of the following: (A) The increase in the percentage of final compensation pursuant to Section 24203.5. (B) The increase in the monthly allowance pursuant to Section 24203.6. (2) This subdivision does not constitute a change in, but is declaratory of, the existing law.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23805.5. Section 23805.5.

(a) A parent claiming a benefit under Section 23805 is dependent if all of the following apply: (1) The parent was receiving one-half or more of his or her support from the member for the tax year preceding the member’s death. (2) The parent was declared as a dependent on the income tax return of the member for at least one of the two tax years preceding the member’s death. (3) No one else has assumed at least one-half of the parent’s support in the tax year of the member’s death. (4) The parent has net assets of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000), excluding his or her personal residence and personal property therein. (b) A person claiming a benefit under Section 23805 or his or her guardian shall furnish the board a state or federal income tax return and any other evidence regarding his or her financial status as the board may require.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23806. Section 23806.

(a) A dependent child who is not in the care of the surviving spouse shall be included in the calculation of the family allowance. That child’s portion of the allowance shall be paid to the guardian of the estate of the child, the natural or adoptive parent having custody of the child, or if none, then to the trustee of the trust established for the benefit of the child. (b) In the case of a dependent child age 18 years or older, the child’s portion of the allowance shall be paid to the guardian of the estate of the child, trustee of the trust established for the benefit of the child, or if none, then to the child.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23809. Section 23809.

The family allowance payable to the surviving spouse who has financial responsibility for at least one dependent child, or the family allowance payable to a dependent child, shall be reduced by an amount equal to the unmodified benefits paid or payable from other public systems for the same event which qualified the surviving spouse or dependent child for the family allowance.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23810. Section 23810.

If the person or persons to whom a family allowance is payable dies or no longer qualifies for the allowance, the allowance shall be terminated on the day of that event except as provided in Section 24600.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23811. Section 23811.

(a) Upon termination of family allowances under this part and prior to the payment of allowances equal to the amount of the member’s accumulated retirement contributions at the time of death, the balance shall be paid to the member’s beneficiary. (b) Payments provided under this section shall include credited interest on the unpaid balance calculated from the date family allowances were last paid or from the date of death, if no family allowance payments were made, to the date the balance is paid.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 23812. Section 23812.

(a) The surviving spouse of a deceased member who previously lost entitlement to benefits prescribed by this part due to remarriage shall be entitled to resume payment of the benefits effective either on January 1, 2000, or the first day of the month following receipt by the board of a written application for resumption of benefits, whichever date is later. The amount of the benefits payable shall be calculated as though the benefits had been paid without interruption from the date of remarriage through the benefits resumption effective date. (b) The board shall be under no requirement to identify, locate, or notify a remarried spouse of a deceased member who previously lost entitlement as a result of remarriage about the resumption of benefits provided in this section. The board shall be under no requirement to provide the name or address or any other information concerning any remarried spouse of a deceased member to any person, agency, or entity for the purpose of notifying those who may be eligible for the resumption of benefits under this section. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to imply or interpreted to mean that the benefits addressed shall be required to be paid retroactively. (d) This section does not apply to the surviving domestic partner of a member.

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