A retiree can choose certain retirement benefit options before the first payment is due, but later changes to the chosen option or beneficiary are limited. The retiree must also report a beneficiary’s death and ask for benefit recomputation when adjustments apply.
§3687. Optional allowance for superannuation retirement A. With the provisions that no optional selection shall be effective in case a retiree dies within thirty days after retirement, and that such a retiree shall be considered as an active member at the time of death; until the first payment on account of any benefit becomes normally due, any member may elect to receive his benefit in an equal monthly retirement allowance payable throughout life, or he may elect to receive the actuarial equivalent at the time, of his retirement in a reduced equal monthly retirement allowance payable throughout life with the provision that: (1) Option 1. If he dies before he has received in annuity payments the present value of his member's annuity as it was at the time of his retirement, the balance shall be paid to his legal representatives or to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees. (2) Option 2. Upon his death, his reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life and paid to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees at the time of his retirement. (3) Option 2A. Upon his death, his reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees at the time of his retirement, provided that if the designated beneficiary predeceases the retiree, the retiree's reduced benefit shall change to the maximum benefit effective on the first day of the next month following the notification of the death of the designated beneficiary. (4) Option 3. Upon his death, one-half of his reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of, and paid to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees at the time of his retirement. (5) Option 3A. Upon his death, one-half of the reduced retirement allowance shall be continued throughout the life of and paid to such person as he shall nominate by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees at the time of his retirement, provided that if the designated beneficiary predeceases the retiree, the retiree's reduced benefit shall change to the maximum benefit effective on the first day of the next month following the notification of the death of the designated beneficiary. (6) Option 4. Some other benefit or benefits shall be paid either to the member or to such person or persons as he shall nominate provided, such other benefit or benefits, together with the reduced retirement allowance shall be certified by the actuary to be of equivalent actuarial value to his retirement allowance, and approved by the Board of Trustees. (7) Option 4A. Some other benefit or benefits shall be paid either to the member or to such person or persons as he shall nominate provided, such other benefit or benefits, together with the reduced retirement allowance, shall be certified by the actuary to be of equivalent actuarial value to his retirement allowance, and approved by the Board of Trustees, provided that if the designated beneficiary predeceases the retiree, the retiree's reduced benefit shall change to the maximum benefit effective on the first day of the next month following the notification of the death of the designated beneficiary. B. A retiree cannot change the designation of beneficiary unless the retirement was approved under Option 1. C. No change in the option elected by the member, other than to correct administrative error, shall be permitted after the application has been officially filed with the Board of Trustees. D. The retiree shall be responsible for notifying the retirement system of the death of the beneficiary, to furnish the beneficiary's death certificate, and to request the recomputation of benefits. Adjustment of benefits under this Subsection shall not be retroactive, and shall be effective on the first day of the next month following official approval of the application for recomputation of benefits. Acts 1971, No. 80, §7, designated by Acts 1991, No. 74, §3, eff. June 25, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 94, §1.