A pension benefit tied to a member’s or retiree’s death may not be paid to a person convicted of causing that death, and any such benefit is treated as if that person had died first.
Sec. 864.015. BENEFICIARY CAUSING DEATH OF MEMBER OR RETIREE. (a) A benefit payable on the death of a member or retiree may not be paid to a person convicted of causing that death but instead is payable as if the convicted person had predeceased the decedent. (b) The pension system is not required to change the recipient of benefits under this section unless it receives actual notice of the conviction of a beneficiary. The system may delay payment of a benefit payable on the death of a member or retiree pending the results of a criminal investigation and of legal proceedings relating to the cause of death. (c) The pension system is not liable for any benefit paid to a convicted person before the date the system receives actual notice of the conviction, and any payment made before that date is a complete discharge of the system's obligation with regard to that benefit payment. The convicted person holds all payments received in constructive trust for the rightful recipient. (d) For the purposes of this section, a person has been convicted of causing the death of a member or retiree if the person: (1) pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, or is found guilty by a court of, an offense at the trial of which it is established that the person's intentional, knowing, or reckless act or omission resulted in the death of a person who was a member or retiree, 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. Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 697 (H.B. 2751), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2009. Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1165 (H.B. 3247), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2019. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1165 (H.B. 3247), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2019.