Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 839.303. Member Death Benefits Generally

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), if a contributing member dies, a lump-sum death benefit is payable from the retirement system in an amount computed at the rate of five percent of the amount in the member's individual account at the time of death times the number of full years of service credit the member had at the time of death.

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

(c) A death benefit may not be paid under this section if, at the time of death, the member was eligible to select a death benefit annuity under Section 839.301.