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HomeEducation CodeCh. 22§ 23804 Family Allowance Eligibility Rules

§ 23804 Family Allowance Eligibility Rules

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

§ 23804 Family Allowance Eligibility Rules

Key Takeaways

  • •If a worker dies while still working or while getting disability pay, their family can get money called a 'family allowance'.
  • •The worker must have died after June 30, 1972, and not have chosen a different retirement plan before retiring.
  • •The family gets this money instead of getting back the money the worker put into retirement.
  • •The family can choose to give up this money if they want, but they have to sign a paper saying they understand what they're giving up.

Example

A firefighter dies while on duty in 2023.

Since the firefighter died after June 30, 1972, and was still working, their family can get the family allowance instead of getting back the money the firefighter had saved for retirement.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 23804 Family Allowance Eligibility Rules

(a) A family allowance is payable upon the death of an active member or a disabled member who was receiving a disability allowance that began to accrue after June 30, 1972. (b) (1) For the family allowance to be payable upon the death of the member, all of the following conditions shall be met at the time of death: (A) Death occurred after June 30, 1972. (B) A preretirement election of an option is not in effect. (C) The provisions for the death payment under this part have been met. (2) In addition to the conditions specified in paragraph (1), at least one-half year of credited service had been performed subsequent to the end of the last break, if a break in service of more than one year had occurred. (3) In addition to the conditions specified in paragraph (1), at least one year of credited service had been performed subsequent to the last reinstatement date, if reinstated from service or disability retirement. (c) The family allowance shall be paid in lieu of the return of the member’s accumulated retirement contributions. (d) The family allowance may be terminated, if all eligible beneficiaries formally waive their rights in accordance with the requirements established by the system. The waiver shall be submitted on a properly executed form prescribed by the system. All waiver forms for an ongoing benefit shall include an acknowledgment on the part of the waiving beneficiary that the benefit being waived is an ongoing benefit, which may exceed the total amount of contributions and interest payable from the member’s account as a result of the waiver. The filing of a waiver by a beneficiary constitutes a complete and immediate discharge of all obligations of the board, the system, or the plan to or on behalf of the beneficiary. (Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 298, Sec. 6. (AB 1325) Effective January 1, 2018.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

family allowanceactive memberdisabled memberpreretirement electionaccumulated retirement contributionswaiver

Related Statutes

  • § 23802 Death Benefit Payment Rules
  • § 23801 Member Death Benefit Payment
  • § 23805 Survivor Benefits For Dependents
  • § 23806 Child Family Allowance Payments
  • § 23809 Family Allowance Benefit Reduction

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 23804.
View Official Source