Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 834.303. Return of Contributions

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), if a member dies before retirement, the amount of the member's contributions to the retirement system is payable as a lump-sum death benefit.

(b) The benefit provided by this section is payable to a person designated by the member in a signed document filed with the board of trustees. If a member does not designate a beneficiary, the benefit is payable to the member's estate.

(c) A death benefit may not be paid under this section if a death benefit annuity has been selected as provided by Section 834.301 or 834.302.