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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 14Art. 2§ 21542 Special Death Benefit Payment

§ 21542 Special Death Benefit Payment

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

§ 21542 Special Death Benefit Payment

Key Takeaways

  • •If a worker dies, their family gets money every month starting the day after they die.
  • •The family can choose to get a one-time big payment instead of the monthly money, but they have to decide before the first monthly payment.
  • •If they pick the one-time payment, they can't ask for more money later.

Example

A firefighter dies while working. His wife and kids are left without his income.

The family can start getting monthly money the day after he dies. But if they want, they can choose to get one big payment instead. Once they pick, they can't change their mind.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21542 Special Death Benefit Payment

The special death benefit shall begin to accrue on the day next following the date of the member’s death, and shall be paid in monthly installments to the surviving spouse and children as prescribed in Section 21541. The surviving spouse or the guardian of the minor child or children entitled to the special death benefit may elect, before the first payment, to receive the basic death benefit in lieu of the special death benefit. The election precludes a claim to benefits under Section 4707 of the Labor Code as the special death benefit is deemed payable by this system and is irrevocable. (Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 379, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

special death benefitbasic death benefitsurviving spouseguardian of the minor childSection 4707 of the Labor Code

Related Statutes

  • § 21543 Special Death Benefit Payment
  • § 21546 Surviving Spouse Children Allowance
  • § 21547 Surviving Spouse Death Benefit
  • § 21547.7 Firefighter Death Benefit Allowance
  • § 21505 Retirement Death Benefit Eligibility

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21542.
View Official Source