Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 844.005. When Annuity is Payable; Changes Before First Payment

(a) A retiree may revoke an application for retirement, change the retiree's choice of retirement annuity payment plans, or change the designation of beneficiary after the retiree's effective date of retirement by filing written notice with the retirement system not later than the last day of the month a benefit payment is first made. After that day, a retiree may not revoke the application for retirement, change the annuity payment plan selected, or change the designated beneficiary except under Section 844.006.

(b) If an applicant for retirement dies on or before the last day that the application for retirement could have been revoked under Subsection (a), the decedent's application for retirement is considered canceled, except that the valid beneficiary designations made in connection with the retirement application remain in effect. The beneficiary of a decedent who had been an eligible member under Section 844.407 may receive an annuity in accordance with that section.

(b-1) Under rules established by the board of trustees, the retirement system may cancel an application for retirement if the applicant fails to timely provide all information and forms necessary to put the retirement into effect.

(c) An annuity under this subtitle is payable to a retiree or beneficiary through the month in which the retiree or beneficiary dies. A continuation of an optional annuity begins with payment for the month following the month in which death occurs.