Government Code section 31781.3

The surviving spouse of a member who dies in service after five years of service or as a result of service-connected injury or disease may elect, in lieu of the death benefit in Section 31781 or the life annuity provided in Section 31781.1 or 31787, the benefit that is the sum of both of the following:

(a)

An amount, provided from contributions by the county or district, equal to one-twelfth of the annual compensation earnable or pensionable compensation as defined in Section 7522.34, whichever is applicable, by the deceased during the 12 months immediately preceding his or her death, multiplied by the number of completed years of service under the system, but not to exceed 50 percent of that compensation.

(b)

A monthly allowance as provided in Section 31781.1 or 31787 reduced by a monthly amount which is the actuarial equivalent of the amount in subdivision (a) as applied to the life of the surviving spouse.

Source: Section 31781.3, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=31781.­3.­ (updated Jan. 1, 2015; accessed Jul. 28, 2025).

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Verified:
Jul. 28, 2025

§ 31781.3's source at ca​.gov