ARTICLE 5. Disability Benefits [25016. - 25019.]

Cal. Education Code - EDC 5.

in effect

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25016. Section 25016.

(a) A member’s disability benefit under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program shall be an amount equal to the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date the disability benefit becomes payable. (b) A disability benefit shall be a lump-sum payment, or an annuity payable in monthly installments, or a combination of both a lump-sum payment and an annuity, as elected by the member on the application for a disability benefit. Any retirement benefit paid as an annuity under this chapter shall be subject to Section 25018 or 25018.1. (c) Upon distribution of the entire disability benefit in a lump-sum payment, no other benefit shall be payable to the member or the member’s beneficiary under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25017. Section 25017.

(a) A member shall receive a disability benefit under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program beginning on the effective date of the member’s disability allowance pursuant to Chapter 25 (commencing with Section 24001) or a disability retirement allowance pursuant to Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100) under the Defined Benefit Program. (b) The member, or the member’s employer or conservator on behalf of the member, shall submit an application for a disability benefit on a form prescribed by the system. (c) A member whose disability allowance or disability retirement allowance is effective on or after January 1, 2010, shall not receive an allowance pursuant to Chapter 25 (commencing with Section 24001) or Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100), as applicable, unless the member has submitted a completed application pursuant to subdivision (b).

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25018. Section 25018.

(a) A member may elect to receive the disability benefit as an annuity, payable in monthly installments, provided the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date the disability benefit becomes payable equals at least three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) after any lump-sum payment has been made from this account. (b) If the member elects to receive the disability benefit as an annuity, the member shall elect one of the following forms of payment: (1) A single life annuity without a cash refund feature. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the amount that would be payable to the member if the member elected to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. Upon the death of the member, no other benefit shall be payable to the member’s beneficiary under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program. (2) A single life annuity with a cash refund feature. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the amount that would be payable to the member if the member elected to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. Upon the death of the member, an amount equal to the remaining balance of credits, if any, transferred from the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account to the Annuitant Reserve shall be returned in a lump-sum payment to the member’s beneficiary. (3) For a member receiving an allowance pursuant to Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100), a 100-percent joint and survivor annuity with a “pop-up” feature. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the member and the member’s annuity beneficiary. Upon the death of the member, the same monthly amount that was payable to the member shall be paid monthly to the member’s surviving annuity beneficiary. However, if the annuity beneficiary predeceases the member, the annuity payable to the member shall be the single life annuity with a cash refund feature that would have been payable had the member elected that form of payment at the commencement of the benefit. That single life 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 member and the member designates a new option beneficiary pursuant to Section 24323, the new option beneficiary shall be the new annuity beneficiary. The effective date shall be six months following the date notification, on a properly executed form, is received by the board, provided both the member and the new annuity beneficiary are then living. The new annuity beneficiary under this paragraph shall be subject to an actuarial modification of the single life annuity with a cash refund feature and shall not result in any additional liability to the fund. The new annuity beneficiary shall not be an existing annuity beneficiary. (4) For a member receiving an allowance pursuant to Chapter 26 (commencing with Section 24100), a 50-percent joint and survivor annuity with a “pop-up” feature. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the member and the member’s annuity beneficiary. Upon the death of the member, one-half of the monthly amount that was payable to the member shall be paid monthly to the member’s surviving annuity beneficiary. However, if the annuity beneficiary predeceases the member, the annuity payable to the member shall be the single life annuity with a cash refund feature that would have been payable had the member elected that form of payment at the commencement of the benefit. That single life 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 member and the member designates a new option beneficiary pursuant to Section 24323, the new option beneficiary shall be the new annuity beneficiary. The effective date shall be six months following the date notification, on a properly executed form, is received by the board, provided both the member and the new annuity beneficiary are then living. The new annuity beneficiary under this paragraph shall be subject to an actuarial modification of the single life annuity with a cash refund feature and shall not result in any additional liability to the fund. The new annuity beneficiary shall not be an existing annuity beneficiary. (5) 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 the disability benefit becomes payable. The annuity shall be payable in whole year increments over a period of years specified by the member, from a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years subject to life expectancy tables promulgated pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the member’s death occurs prior to the end of the period certain, the remaining balance of payments shall be paid to the member’s beneficiary pursuant to Section 25022. (c) Except as described in subdivision (d) of Section 25018.1, on or after January 1, 2007, a member may not make a new election for an annuity described in subdivision (b). (d) On or after January 1, 2007, a member may not make a new election of a joint and survivor annuity described in subdivision (b), except as provided by subdivision (e) of Section 25018.1. (e) Any member with a disability benefit effective on or after January 1, 2007, shall elect an annuity from the annuities described in Section 25018.1.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25018.1. Section 25018.1.

(a) A member may elect to receive the disability benefit as an annuity, payable in monthly installments, provided the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date the disability benefit becomes payable equals at least three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) after any lump-sum payment has been made from this account. If the member elects to receive the disability benefit as an annuity, the member shall elect one of the following forms of payment: (1) Member 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 member if the member elected to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. Upon the death of the member, an amount equal to the remaining balance of credits, if any, transferred from the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account to the Annuitant Reserve shall be returned in a lump-sum payment to the member’s beneficiary. (2) One hundred percent beneficiary annuity. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the member and the member’s annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries. Upon the death of the member, 100 percent of the monthly amount that was payable to the member shall be paid monthly to the member’s surviving annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries. (3) Seventy-five percent beneficiary annuity. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the member and the member’s annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries. Pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code, the member shall not elect this annuity if a beneficiary is more than exactly 19 years younger than the member unless the beneficiary is the member’s spouse or former spouse and the election is pursuant to a determination of community property rights. Upon the death of the member, 75 percent of the monthly amount that was payable to the member shall be paid monthly to the surviving annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries of the member. (4) Fifty percent beneficiary annuity. This form of payment is the actuarial equivalent of the lump-sum payment modified to be payable over the combined lives of the member and the member’s annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries. Upon the death of the member, one-half of the monthly amount that was payable to the member shall be paid monthly to the member’s surviving annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries. (5) 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 the disability benefit becomes payable. The annuity shall be payable in whole year increments over a period of years specified by the member, from a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years subject to life expectancy tables promulgated pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the member’s death occurs prior to the end of the period certain, the remaining balance of payments shall be paid to the member’s beneficiary pursuant to Section 25022. (b) If an annuity beneficiary designated pursuant to paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) predeceases the member, the annuity shall be paid to the member as the member only annuity that would have been payable had the member elected that form of payment at the commencement of the benefit. That member 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 member and the member designates a new option beneficiary pursuant to Section 24323, the new option beneficiary shall be a new annuity beneficiary. The effective date shall be six months following the date notification is received by the board, provided both the member and the new 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 new annuity beneficiary under this paragraph is subject to an actuarial modification of the member only annuity and shall not result in any additional liability to the fund. The new annuity beneficiary shall not be an existing annuity beneficiary. (c) Notwithstanding Section 297 or 299.2 of the Family Code, a spouse as described in paragraph (3) or (5) of subdivision (a) does not include the domestic partner of the member, 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 12 (commencing with Section 22650) of this part on or before December 31, 2006, the member may elect the annuity that is required by the judgment or court order. This part does not permit the member to change the annuity to the detriment of the community property interest of the nonmember spouse.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25018.2. Section 25018.2.

(a) A member who is disabled and elected an annuity pursuant to Section 25018 may elect to change annuities, subject to all of the following: (1) A member who elected a single life annuity with or without a cash refund feature or elected a period certain annuity may not change his or her annuity. (2) A member who elected an annuity under paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 25018 may elect an annuity under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 25018.1. (3) The election by the member under this section is made on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to July 1, 2007. (4) The member designates the same annuity beneficiary that was designated under the prior annuity election by the member, if the annuity and the annuity designation were effective on December 31, 2006. (5) The member and the annuity 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 annuity beneficiary are not afflicted with a known terminal illness. (6) The annuity beneficiary has not predeceased the member as of the effective date of the change in the annuity by the member. (b) The change in the annuity 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 annuity elected by the member. (d) If the member and the annuity beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, a member may cancel the election to change annuities and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting annuity election. After cancellation, the member may elect to make a one-time change from the preexisting annuity to any other annuity 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 annuity beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, the system shall allow a member to cancel the election to change annuities and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting annuity election. After cancellation, the member may elect to make a one-time change from the preexisting annuity to any other annuity 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 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. (f) If the member elects to change his or her annuity as described in subdivision (a), (d), or (e), the annuity 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 annuities in derogation of a spouse’s or former spouse’s community property rights as specified in a court order.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25018.5. Section 25018.5.

When a disabled member returns to work in his or her former position of employment or in a comparable level position and within six months of return experiences a recurrence of the original disability, it shall be considered, for the purpose of determining the duration of the disability, that the condition had its onset as of the date the member first became disabled. The former Defined Benefit Supplement disability benefit under this chapter shall again become payable as of the later of the first day of the month in which the recurrence of the disability occurred or the last day of service for which compensation is payable to the member provided the member complies with the provisions of Section 24003 or 24103, as applicable.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25018.6. Section 25018.6.

(a) A member receiving a disability retirement allowance who elected a beneficiary annuity pursuant to Section 25018.1 with a same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse designated as annuity beneficiary pursuant to Section 25015 may elect to change his or her annuity subject to the following: (1) A member who elected the 100 percent beneficiary annuity or the 50 percent beneficiary annuity may elect to change his or her beneficiary annuity to the 75 percent beneficiary annuity described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 25018.1, 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 described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 24300.1 may elect to change his or her beneficiary annuity to the 100 percent beneficiary annuity described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 25018.1, or the 75 percent beneficiary annuity described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 25018.1, provided the member’s same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is more than exactly 10 years younger than the member under the 100 percent beneficiary annuity, or more than exactly 19 years younger than the member under the 75 percent beneficiary annuity. (B) Any change made pursuant to this paragraph shall be subject to the requirements and restrictions of Section 25015. (3) The annuity 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 annuity beneficiary prior to July 1, 2015. (5) The same-sex spouse or same-sex former spouse is a current annuity beneficiary, and the same annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries that were designated for the prior annuity elected by the member remain. (6) The annuity beneficiary or beneficiaries have not predeceased the member as of the effective date of the annuity change made by the member pursuant to this section. (b) The annuity change made by a member pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be deemed effective as of the effective date of the prior annuity election or June 26, 2013, whichever is later. (c) The annuity 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 a member’s election, the system shall mail an acknowledgment notice to the member that sets forth the new annuity elected by the member. (e) A member may cancel an annuity change made pursuant to subdivision (a) and elect to receive his or her benefit according to his or her prior annuity 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 annuity 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 annuity change made pursuant to subdivision (a) and elect to make one subsequent change from his or her prior annuity election to any other annuity provided by and subject to the restrictions of subdivision (a). The subsequent change shall become effective as of the date of the initial annuity 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 annuity pursuant to subdivision (a) or (f), the member’s annuity shall be modified in a manner determined by the board to prevent any additional liability to the plan. (h) A member shall not change his or her annuity in derogation of a spouse’s or former spouse’s community property rights as specified in a court order.

Cal. Education Code - EDC § 25019. Section 25019.

(a) If a member’s disability allowance or disability retirement allowance under this part is terminated, payment of a disability annuity based on the balance of credits transferred from the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account to the Annuitant Reserve also shall terminate. The member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account shall be credited with the actuarial equivalent of the member’s annuity as of the date the annuity is terminated and the Annuitant Reserve shall be reduced by the amount credited to the member’s account. (b) If a disability allowance or a service or disability retirement allowance subsequently becomes payable again, an annuity or lump-sum payment based on the remaining balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account at the time of the subsequent disability or service or disability retirement becomes payable and the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account shall be transferred to the Annuitant Reserve or paid to the member in the form of a lump-sum payment. (c) This section shall not apply to a member whose annuity continues pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 25012.

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