Tex. Government Code § 839.304: RETURN OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), if a member dies before retirement, the amount of the member's accumulated contributions 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, at the time of death, the member was eligible to select a death benefit annuity under Section 839.301.

Added by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 602, Sec. 1, Sept. 1, 1985. Renumbered from Vernon's Ann.Civ.St. Title 110B, Sec. 74.304 and amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 179, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.