New Jersey Statutes Title 52. State Government, Departments and Officers 52 § 18A-122

In the event of the death of a participant prior to retirement, an amount equal to the value of his account as of the last day of the month in which the death occurs shall be paid to the designated beneficiary in a single cash payment or in the event that no beneficiary was designated or if the designated beneficiary predeceased the participant such amount shall be paid to the estate of the participant. If, however, the designated beneficiary is a natural person, he may elect to receive, in lieu of a single cash payment, the actuarial equivalent thereof, under any method of settlement which would have been available to the participants pursuant to the provisions of sections 11 or 14 of this act.  1