(a) The plan’s obligations to a participant, beneficiary, or nonparticipant spouse who elected a lump-sum distribution 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 to the trustee of an eligible retirement plan, 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 or beneficiary who elected to receive a benefit in the form of partial distributions cease upon distribution of the final payment.

(1) Deposit in the United States mail of a warrant drawn in favor of the participant or beneficiary 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 or beneficiary 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) This section shall not apply to a permissible in-service distribution pursuant to Section 22970.855 if the participant account is only partially distributed.

(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 755, Sec. 11. (SB 277) Effective January 1, 2014.)