California Code, Government Code - GOV § 21542

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.