California Code, Government Code - GOV § 75104

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subdivisions (b) and (c), should any judge die, resign, or cease to be a judge prior to his or her retirement, or die after electing to allow his or her accumulated contributions to remain in the fund pursuant to Section 75033 but prior to attaining age 65, the amount of his or her accumulated contribution shall be paid to his or her beneficiary nominated by written designation duly filed with the Judges' Retirement System, or to him or her, as the case may be.  If an allowance is paid to a surviving spouse pursuant to this chapter, no payment shall be made pursuant to this section.

(b) A judge who has filed a declaration of candidacy for election or reelection to any judicial office may not withdraw his or her contributions until after the election.  If a judge is elected or reelected to a judicial office, he or she may not withdraw his or her contributions until he or she has declined to accept the office or has ceased to hold the office to which he or she has been elected.

(c) A judge who has been appointed, commissioned, or nominated to any judicial office of this state may not withdraw his or her contributions until he or she has declined to serve or terminated his or her service in the latter office.