(a) The plan’s obligations to a participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse who has applied for a lump-sum benefit cease upon distribution of the lump-sum benefit.

(1) Deposit in the United States mail of a warrant drawn in favor of the participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse and addressed to the latest address on file for that person constitutes distribution of the benefit.

(2) Deposit in the United States mail of a notice that the requested electronic funds transfer has been made as directed by the participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse constitutes distribution of the benefit.

(3) If the participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse has elected on a form prescribed by the board to transfer all or a specific portion of the account that is eligible for a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer under Section 401(a)(31) of Title 26 of the United States Code, deposit in the United States mail of a notice that the requested transfer has been made constitutes distribution of the benefit.

(b) The plan’s obligations to a participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse who elected to receive a benefit in the form of installment payments or an annuity cease upon distribution of the final payment.

(1) Deposit in the United States mail of a warrant drawn in favor of the participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse and addressed to the latest address on file for that person constitutes distribution of the benefit.

(2) Deposit in the United States mail of a notice that the requested electronic funds transfer has been made as directed by the participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse constitutes distribution of the benefit.

(c) Distribution under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subdivision (a) or paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (b) pursuant to the board’s determination in good faith of the existence, identity, or other facts relating to entitlement of persons constitutes a complete discharge and release of the board, system, and plan from liability for payments.

(d) Distribution under paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 22960.4 constitutes a complete discharge and release of the board, system, and plan from liability for payments, and the board and system shall not be treated as fiduciaries with respect to a transfer of funds from the plan to the Supplemental Contributions Program in accordance with Section 22970.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 755, Sec. 2. (SB 277) Effective January 1, 2014.)