97B.44 Beneficiary.

1. Each member shall designate on a form to be furnished by the system a beneficiary for death benefits payable under this chapter on the death of the member. The designation may be changed from time to time by the member by filing a new designation with the system.

2. A designation or change in designation made by a member on or after July 1, 2000, shall contain the written consent of the member’s spouse, if applicable. However, the system may accept a married member’s designation or change in designation under this section without the written consent of the member’s spouse if the member submits a notarized statement indicating that the member has been unable to locate the member’s spouse to obtain the written consent of the spouse after reasonable diligent efforts. The member’s designation or change in designation shall become effective upon filing the necessary forms, including the notarized statement, with the system. The system shall not be liable to the member, the member’s spouse, or to any other person affected by the member’s designation or change of designation, based upon a designation or change of designation accomplished without the written consent of the member’s spouse.

3. The designation of a beneficiary is not applicable if the member receives a refund of all contributions of the member. If a member who has received a refund of contributions returns to employment, the member shall file a new designation with the system.

4. If a member has not designated a beneficiary on a form furnished by the system, or if there are no surviving designated beneficiaries of a member, death benefits payable under this chapter shall be paid to the member’s estate.

[C46, 50, §97.14 – 97.18; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §97B.44]

92 Acts, ch 1201, §39; 2000 Acts, ch 1077, §30; 2001 Acts, ch 68, §21, 24; 2002 Acts, ch 1135, §16; 2003 Acts, ch 145, §286; 2017 Acts, ch 54, §26