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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 1Pt. 13Ch. 38Art. 6§ 25021 Beneficiary Annuity Election Rules

§ 25021 Beneficiary Annuity Election Rules

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 25021 Beneficiary Annuity Election Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If someone who gets money from the Defined Benefit Supplement Program dies, their beneficiary (the person who gets the money) can choose to get the money as monthly payments instead of all at once, but only if there's at least $3,500 in the account.
  • •The beneficiary can choose to get the monthly payments for 3 to 10 years, but not longer than they are expected to live.
  • •The beneficiary can pick someone else to get the rest of the money if they die before the payments end.
  • •The monthly payments are calculated to be equal to the total amount in the account, spread out over the chosen years.

Example

John's dad was part of the Defined Benefit Supplement Program and passed away, leaving John as the beneficiary. The account has $5,000 in it.

John can choose to get the $5,000 as monthly payments over 3 to 10 years instead of all at once. If he picks 5 years, he'll get monthly payments for 5 years. If he dies before the 5 years are up, someone he picks can get the rest of the payments.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 25021 Beneficiary Annuity Election Rules

(a) A beneficiary, other than an entity, may elect to receive the final benefit payable under the Defined Benefit Supplement Program as an annuity payable in monthly installments provided the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account that is payable to that beneficiary equals at least three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500). (b) A beneficiary who elects to receive an annuity under this section shall elect a period certain annuity. This form of payment is an annuity equal to the actuarial equivalent of the balance of credits in the member’s Defined Benefit Supplement account on the date of the member’s death. The annuity shall be payable in whole year increments over a period of years specified by the beneficiary, from a minimum of three years to a maximum of 10 years, but not to exceed the life expectancy of the beneficiary. The beneficiary may designate a payee to receive the remaining balance of payments if the beneficiary’s death occurs prior to the end of the period certain. (c) A beneficiary may designate a payee who would, upon the death of the beneficiary, be entitled to receive the beneficiary’s accrued annuity allowance. (Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 655, Sec. 60. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

beneficiaryperiod certain annuityDefined Benefit Supplement Programactuarial equivalent

Related Statutes

  • § 25022.5 Nonmember Spouse Annuity Benefits
  • § 25023 Annuity Beneficiary Death Payments
  • § 25020 Defined Benefit Supplement Payout
  • § 25000 Teacher Retirement Supplement Program
  • § 25000.5 Defined Benefit Supplement Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 25021.
View Official Source