Cal. Educ. Code § 23851

(a) A death payment of not less than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) shall be paid to the beneficiary, as designated pursuant to Section 23300, upon receipt of proof of death of a member, who had one or more years of credited service, including service deemed to the member under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 22851, at least one of which had been earned subsequent to the most recent refund of accumulated retirement contributions, if the member died during any one of the following periods:
1. (1) While in employment for which creditable compensation is paid.
2. (2) Within four months after termination of creditable service or termination of employment, whichever occurs first.
3. (3) Within 12 months of the last day for which creditable compensation was paid, if the member was on an approved leave of absence without creditable compensation for reasons other than disability.
4. (4) While on a leave of absence to perform qualified military service, if the death occurred on or after January 1, 2007.
(b) A death payment pursuant to this section shall not be payable for the death of a member that occurs within one year commencing with the effective date of termination of the service retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24208 or during the six calendar months commencing with the effective date of termination of the disability retirement allowance pursuant to Section 24117.
(c) The board may adjust the death payment amount following each actuarial valuation based on changes in the All Urban California Consumer Price Index and adopt as a plan amendment with respect to the Defined Benefit Program any adjusted amount.
(d) A designated beneficiary may waive the right to the death payment in accordance with the requirements established by the system. The waiver shall be submitted on a properly executed form prescribed by the system. The filing of a waiver by a beneficiary constitutes a complete and immediate discharge of all obligations of the board, the system, or the plan to or on behalf of the beneficiary.