Beneficiaries

Choosing Your Beneficiary

When you are first employed in an eligible position, you complete a Beneficiary Designation Form (Form 102). This form includes your choice of beneficiary. Unless you are married or in a registered domestic partnership, you can name anyone, or any appropriate financial planning vehicle (such as a trust) as your beneficiary.

Changing Your Beneficiary

You can change your beneficiary at any time while you are an active member (unless you are married or in a registered domestic partnership). However, trusts cannot be beneficiaries of a monthly retirement benefit. These financial planning tools can only receive a lump sum payout of the contributions and interest you accrued before your death. Be sure to tell CCCERA the name and address of the trust and the trustee.

Marriage and Domestic Partnerships

If you are married, or in a domestic partnership registered with the California Secretary of State, the beneficiary of your retirement account is your spouse or domestic partner.

If you are not naming your spouse/registered domestic partner as 100% assigned primary beneficiary, your spouse/partner’s signature is required on the reverse side of the Beneficiary Designation Form (Form 102) in Section 4 and must be witnessed by a notary public.

If you divorce, or dissolve your domestic partnership, remember to update your beneficiary. The beneficiary on your account at the time of your death will receive your benefits.