Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26900. Section 26900.
A participant may apply to receive a disability benefit under this part at any time.
CHAPTER 10. Disability Benefit [26900. - 26911.]
Cal. Education Code - EDC 10.
in effectCal. Education Code - EDC § 26901. Section 26901.
Application for a disability benefit under this part shall be made by the participant, or the guardian or conservator of the participant, on a form prescribed by the system.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26902. Section 26902.
(a)
A disability benefit under this part shall become payable only upon determination by the board that the participant has a total and permanent disability. The board shall require current relevant medical reports by licensed practitioners, including the report of the treating physician, and may make any inquiries necessary to the determination of total and permanent disability. Failure of the participant, or the participant’s guardian or conservator, to provide any documents, complete any forms, or respond to any questions from the board within 45 days of the request may be cause for rejection of the application.
(b)
Upon determination by the board that the participant does not have a total and permanent disability, the application for disability benefit, and any designation of beneficiary for the benefit, shall be automatically canceled.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26903. Section 26903.
All creditable service subject to coverage by the Cash Balance Benefit Program and Defined Benefit Program shall be terminated prior to the disability date.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26904. Section 26904.
The disability benefit is a benefit for total and permanent disability that is an amount equal to the sum of the employee account and the employer account as of the disability date.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26905. Section 26905.
The normal form of disability benefit under this part is a lump-sum payment. Upon distribution of the lump-sum payment to the participant, no further benefits shall be payable from the Cash Balance Benefit Program.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26906. Section 26906.
(a)
Upon application for a disability benefit under this part, the participant may elect to receive the disability 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).
(b)
If the participant elects to receive the disability benefit as an annuity, the participant 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 participant if the
participant elected to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. This benefit shall be payable for the life of the participant. Upon the death of the participant, no other benefit shall be payable to any beneficiary under this part.
(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 participant if the participant elected to receive the disability benefit in a lump-sum payment. This benefit shall be payable for the life of the participant and any balance remaining upon the death of the participant shall be payable in a lump sum to the participant’s beneficiary.
(3)
A 100-percent joint and survivor annuity with a “pop-up” feature. This form of payment 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, modified to be payable over the combined lives of the participant and the participant’s annuity beneficiary. Upon the death of the participant, the monthly amount that was payable to the participant shall be paid monthly to the participant’s annuity beneficiary. However, if the annuity beneficiary predeceases the participant, the annuity payable to the participant shall be the single life annuity with a cash refund feature that would have been payable had the participant 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
participant, the participant may designate a new annuity beneficiary. The effective date of the new designation shall be six months following the date notification, on a properly executed form, is received by the board, provided both the participant and the new designated annuity beneficiary are then living. The designation of 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)
A 50-percent joint and survivor annuity with a “pop-up” feature. This form of payment 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, modified to be payable over the combined lives of the participant and the participant’s annuity beneficiary. Upon the death of the participant, one-half of the monthly amount that was payable to the participant shall be paid monthly to the participant’s annuity beneficiary. However, if the annuity beneficiary predeceases the participant, the annuity payable to the participant shall be the single life annuity with a cash refund feature that would have been payable had the participant 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 participant, the participant may designate a new annuity beneficiary. The effective date of the new designation
shall be six months following the date notification, on a properly executed form, is received by the board, provided both the participant and the new designated annuity beneficiary are then living. The designation of 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 sum of balance of the employee account and the employer 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 subject to life expectancy tables promulgated pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. 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 beneficiary pursuant to Section 27007.
(c)
Except as described in subdivision (c) of Section 26906.5, on or after January 1, 2007, a participant may not make a new election of an annuity described in subdivision (b).
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26906.5. Section 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 subject to life expectancy tables promulgated pursuant to Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code. 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 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.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26906.6. Section 26906.6.
(a)
A participant who is disabled and elected an annuity pursuant to Section 26906 may elect to change annuities, subject to all of the following:
(1)
A participant who elected a single life annuity with or without a cash refund feature or a period certain annuity may not change his or her annuity.
(2)
A participant who elected an annuity under paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 26906 may elect an annuity under paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) of Section 26906.5.
(3)
The election by the participant under this section is made on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to July 1,
2007.
(4)
The participant designates the same annuity beneficiary that was designated under the prior annuity elected by the participant, if the annuity and the annuity beneficiary designation were effective on December 31, 2006.
(5)
The annuity beneficiary is not afflicted with a known terminal illness and the participant declares, under penalty of perjury under the laws of this state, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the annuity beneficiary is not afflicted with a known terminal illness.
(6)
The annuity beneficiary has not predeceased the participant as of the effective date of the change in the annuity by the participant.
(b)
The change in the annuity by the participant 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 participant’s election document, the system shall mail an acknowledgment notice to the participant that sets forth the new annuity elected by the participant.
(d)
If the participant and the annuity beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, a participant may cancel the election to change annuities and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting annuity election. After cancellation, the participant 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 participant elects to make the one-time change provided by this subdivision, the change shall be effective as of the participant’s signature date on the initial election to change.
(e)
If the system is unable to mail an acknowledgment notice to the participant on or before June 1, 2007, or prior to the end of the election period, provided that the participant and the annuity beneficiary are alive and not afflicted with a known terminal illness, the system shall allow a participant to cancel the election to change annuities and elect to receive the benefit according to the preexisting annuity election. After cancellation, the participant 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 participant elects to make the one-time change provided by this subdivision, the change shall be effective as of the participant’s signature date on the initial election to change.
(f)
If the participant elects to change his or her annuity as described in subdivision (a) or (d), the participant’s annuity shall be modified in a manner determined by the board to prevent any additional liability to the plan.
(g)
The participant 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 § 26907. Section 26907.
The annuity under this chapter shall be determined as a value actuarially equivalent to the sum of the employee account and the employer account as of the disability date. The annuity shall be calculated using the age of the participant and, if the participant elected a joint and survivor option, the age of the beneficiary on the disability date.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26908. Section 26908.
Upon election of an annuity under this part, the credits in the participant’s employee account and employer account shall be transferred to the Annuitant Reserve.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26910. Section 26910.
(a)
Except as provided in subdivision (b), the beneficiary under the joint and survivor option elected pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 26906 or paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 26906.5 shall be the person or trust designated by the participant on the application for a disability benefit under this part, and shall not be changed after the original disability date unless the beneficiary has predeceased the participant.
(b)
(1)
A participant may change the annuity beneficiary designated pursuant to this section without penalty by designating a trust as beneficiary if all of the following requirements are
met:
(A)
The trust conforms to the definition of trust in Section 26105.5.
(B)
The beneficiary of the trust is the same person as the previously named annuity beneficiary.
(C)
The member files an application and any required documents in a form prescribed by the system.
(2)
If a trust is determined to be invalid or terminates after the system commences payment to the trust, beginning on the effective date of termination of the trust, the benefit shall be paid to, and all associated rights and responsibilities shall accrue to, the beneficiary of the trust so long as that beneficiary is eligible to receive a benefit pursuant to this section.
Cal. Education Code - EDC § 26911. Section 26911.
If a participant who is receiving a disability annuity under this part becomes reemployed to perform creditable service subject to coverage by the Cash Balance Benefit Program or the Defined Benefit Program, the disability annuity shall be terminated. The participant’s employee account and employer account shall be credited with the actuarial equivalent of the participant’s annuity as of the date of reemployment and the Annuitant Reserve shall be reduced by the amount credited to those accounts.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026