Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 844.407. Survivor Annuity

(a) In this section “eligible member” means a member who has four or more years of credited service with one or more subdivisions that are participating in the retirement system.

(b) Instead of any other benefit allowed under this subtitle other than an optional group term life benefit, an annuity described by this section may be paid on the death of an eligible member who had not filed an application for retirement or whose application for retirement had been revoked or canceled under Section 844.005.

(c) An annuity under this section is payable to the valid beneficiary designated on the unrevoked form most recently executed by the member and filed with the system naming a beneficiary. If no valid beneficiary exists or if the member died without having designated a valid beneficiary, the annuity is payable to the deceased member's surviving spouse or, if no surviving spouse exists, to the deceased member's estate.

(d) Any annuity payable under this section must be actuarially equivalent to the deceased member's benefit accrued under this subtitle determined as of the last day of the month preceding the month of the member's death. The annuity is payable in the form and manner authorized by the board of trustees.

(e) An annuity under this section is payable from the same accounts and is subject to the same conditions that are applicable to a service retirement benefit for the same member.

(f) to (j) Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., ch. 873, § 92(27).