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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 14Art. 1§ 21491 Survivor Beneficiary Designation Rules

§ 21491 Survivor Beneficiary Designation Rules

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

§ 21491 Survivor Beneficiary Designation Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If you get money every month because someone who died was supporting you, you can pick who gets that money after you die.
  • •You have to write it down and give it to the board to make it official.
  • •You can change your mind and pick someone else anytime you want.
  • •Your choice won’t be automatically canceled like some other beneficiary picks might be.

Example

A widow gets monthly money because her husband died at work. She wants her daughter to get the money if she dies.

She writes down her daughter’s name and gives it to the board. Now, if she dies, her daughter gets the money. She can change it to her son later if she wants.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21491 Survivor Beneficiary Designation Rules

A person who is entitled to receive a monthly allowance as a survivor of a deceased person may designate a beneficiary to receive the pro rata allowance payable following his or her death. The beneficiary designation shall be filed by the survivor with the board in writing in order to be effective, and the designation shall be subject to all laws applicable to designations of beneficiaries. A survivor may revoke his or her beneficiary designation at any time. A beneficiary designation by a survivor shall not be subject to the automatic revocation of designation provisions of Section 21492. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 379, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

monthly allowancebeneficiary designationpro rata allowanceautomatic revocation

Related Statutes

  • § 21492 Beneficiary Designation Revocation
  • § 21493 Survivor Payment Order
  • § 21490 Beneficiary Designation Rules
  • § 21494 Estate Beneficiary Payment Rules
  • § 21495 Beneficiary Payment Priority Rules

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21491.
View Official Source