Death benefits generally cannot be paid to a person convicted of causing the member’s or annuitant’s death, or to other persons made ineligible by this section.
Sec. 824.105. BENEFICIARY CAUSING DEATH OF MEMBER OR ANNUITANT. (a) A benefit payable on the death of a member or annuitant may not be paid to a person who has been convicted of causing that death or who is otherwise ineligible under Subsection (f) but instead is payable to a person who would be entitled to the benefit had the convicted or otherwise ineligible person predeceased the decedent. (b) A person who becomes eligible under this section to select death or survivor benefits may select benefits as if the person were the designated beneficiary. (c) The retirement system shall reduce any annuity computed in part on the age of the convicted or otherwise ineligible person to a lump sum equal to the present value of the remainder of the annuity. The reduced amount is payable to a person entitled as provided by this section to receive the benefit. (d) The retirement system is not required to pay benefits under this section unless it receives actual notice of the conviction or other ground of ineligibility of a beneficiary. However, the retirement system may delay payment of a benefit payable on the death of a member or annuitant pending the results of a criminal investigation and of legal proceedings relating to the cause of death. (e) For the purposes of this section, a person has been convicted of causing the death of a member or annuitant if the person: (1) pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty by a court of, causing the death of the member or annuitant, regardless of whether sentence is imposed or probated; and (2) has no appeal of the conviction pending and the time provided for appeal has expired. (f) A person is ineligible to receive a benefit payable on the death of a member or annuitant if the person is: (1) found not guilty by reason of insanity under Chapter 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure, of causing the death of the member or annuitant; or (2) the subject of an indictment, information, complaint, or other charging instrument alleging that the person caused the death of the member or annuitant and the person is determined to be incompetent to stand trial under Chapter 46B, Code of Criminal Procedure. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1876, ch. 453, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Renumbered from Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. Title 110B, Sec. 34.105 by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 179, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 455 (S.B. 1667), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011.