This section lets the retirement system and participating subdivisions correct certain errors, and requires people seeking correction to give timely written notice.
Sec. 842.112. CORRECTION OF ERRORS. (a) The retirement system may correct an error caused by an act or omission of the retirement system by any appropriate means. (b) If an act or omission of a participating subdivision causes a person to receive more or less credited service, service credit, or benefits than the person is entitled to receive, the correction of the error is the responsibility of the subdivision. (c) An error caused by an act or omission of a participating subdivision may be corrected: (1) by the subdivision on its own motion if approved by the retirement system and if satisfactory proof of the error is submitted to the retirement system; or (2) through a judicial or quasi-judicial proceeding between the person and the participating subdivision resulting in a judgment, order, or settlement agreement that meets the requirements of Section 842.113. (d) A person seeking the correction of an error relating to membership, rights, benefits, or benefit payments under the retirement system must timely provide to the appropriate subdivision or the retirement system written notice specifically describing the error. The written notice must be received before the first anniversary of the earlier of the date the person discovers the error or the date a reasonable, diligent person should have discovered the error. (e) If the act of a third person causes the retirement system to make a payment of a survivor benefit or death benefit to someone other than the person entitled to the payment, the system shall, after receiving credible evidence of an erroneous payment, determine the beneficiary entitled to the benefit and, if necessary, adjust future payments to the extent practicable to ensure that the present value of the remainder of the benefit will be paid to the person entitled to it. (f) The retirement system is not liable to any person for any payments described by Subsection (e) made before the date the system receives credible evidence of an erroneous payment. Any payments made before that date are a complete discharge of the system's responsibility for those payments and benefits. (f-1) If, pursuant to a valid application for a withdrawal or for retirement, the retirement system issues a check made payable to the applicant, properly addressed as directed on the application and sent by first-class mail, and the check is negotiated by any person, the system is not liable to any person with respect to the payment after the first anniversary of the date the check was mailed. (f-2) If, pursuant to a valid application for a withdrawal or for retirement, the retirement system causes funds to be electronically transferred to the account specified on the application, the system is not liable to any person for that payment or any claim relating to the payment beginning on the date of the transfer. (g) A recipient who receives a payment to which the recipient is not entitled holds the payment in constructive trust for the person entitled to the payment. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 245, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 427, Sec. 12, eff. Dec. 31, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 427, Sec. 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 122, Sec. 9, eff. Dec. 31, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 621, Sec. 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2004. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 506 (H.B. 633), Sec. 13, eff. January 1, 2006. Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 873 (H.B. 1587), Sec. 13, eff. January 1, 2008.