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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 5Pt. 3Ch. 14Art. 1§ 21492 Beneficiary Designation Revocation

§ 21492 Beneficiary Designation Revocation

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

§ 21492 Beneficiary Designation Revocation

Key Takeaways

  • •If you pick someone to get your retirement money after you die, you can usually change your mind later, except in some special cases where you can't.
  • •If you get married, divorced, have a baby, or adopt a kid, your old choice for who gets the money is automatically canceled.
  • •If you quit your job and take out your retirement money, your old choice for who gets the money is also automatically canceled.
  • •If you want to pick someone new to get your money after your old choice is canceled, you have to write it down and give it to the board.

Example

John picks his sister to get his retirement money if he dies. Later, John gets married.

Because John got married, his old choice of his sister is automatically canceled. If John wants his wife to get the money instead, he needs to write it down and give it to the board.

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

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 21492 Beneficiary Designation Revocation

The designation of a beneficiary under the optional settlements in Sections 21456, 21457, 21459, 21475, 21475.5, 21476, 21476.5, and 21477, and in Section 21458, if a benefit involving the life contingency of the beneficiary is provided, is irrevocable from the time of the first payment on account of any retirement allowance. Otherwise a designation of beneficiary under this system is revocable at the pleasure of the member who made it. A member’s marriage, dissolution of marriage, annulment of his or her marriage, the birth of his or her child, or his or her adoption of a child shall constitute an automatic revocation of his or her previous revocable designation of beneficiary. A member’s termination of employment and withdrawal of contributions shall constitute an automatic revocation of the previous revocable designation of beneficiary. Subsequent reemployment or reinstatement from retirement to employment covered by this system shall not reinstate the previous designation of beneficiary. Upon revocation of any beneficiary designation, a member may designate the same or another beneficiary by a writing filed with the board, except as otherwise provided in Section 21490. (Amended by Stats. 2016, Ch. 199, Sec. 23. (AB 2404) Effective January 1, 2017.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

designation of a beneficiaryirrevocablerevocableautomatic revocationretirement allowance

Related Statutes

  • § 21491 Survivor Beneficiary Designation Rules
  • § 21499.1 Post-Death Overpayment Recovery
  • § 21509 Retirement Benefit Distribution Rules
  • § 21490 Beneficiary Designation Rules
  • § 21493 Survivor Payment Order

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 21492.
View Official Source