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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 13Art. 6§ 21451 Retirement Allowance Election Options

§ 21451 Retirement Allowance Election Options

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 21451 Retirement Allowance Election Options

Key Takeaways

  • •You can choose to get a smaller retirement check now so your family gets money after you die.
  • •If you have no family who depends on you, you can change your whole retirement check.
  • •If you have family who depends on you, you can only change the extra part of your retirement check.
  • •This rule only works if you retired before January 1, 2018.

Example

A retired teacher wants to make sure her husband gets money after she dies.

She can choose to get a smaller check every month now. When she dies, her husband will keep getting some money from her retirement.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21451 Retirement Allowance Election Options

In lieu of the retirement allowance for his or her life alone, a member or retired member may elect, or revoke or change a previous election prior to the approval of the previous election, to have the actuarial equivalent of his or her retirement allowance as of the date of retirement applied to a lesser retirement allowance, in accordance with one of the optional settlements specified in this article. The election or revocation or change thereof, with respect to a member subject to Section 21624, 21629, or 21630 at retirement, shall apply to all of the retirement allowance, if, at the effective date of retirement, the member has no spouse, children, or dependent parents who would qualify for an allowance under Section 21624, 21629, or 21630, as applicable, after the death of the member; or, if at retirement there are persons who would so qualify, then the election, or revocation, or change thereof, with respect to any optional settlement other than optional settlement one, shall apply only to the portion of the allowance that exceeds the amount of the allowance payable to the survivor. An actuarial equivalent under this article may be adjusted by the board for the intervals and upon the effective dates determined by the board. This section shall apply to any member who retires on or before December 31, 2017. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 199, Sec. 6. (AB 2404) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Related Statutes

  • § 21450 Retirement Benefit Decision Effects
  • § 21452 Law Enforcement Retirement Options
  • § 21453 Retirement Election Deadlines
  • § 21454 Post-Divorce Retirement Benefit Modification
  • § 21455 Retirement Benefit Payout Option

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21451.
View Official Source