All benefit payments, contributions of employees and annuitants, and optional benefit payments, any rights, benefits, or payments accruing to a person under this chapter, and all money in a fund created by this chapter:

1. (1) are exempt from execution, attachment, garnishment, or any other process; and

2. (2) may not be assigned, except:

   1. (A) for direct payment that a participant may assign to a provider of health care services; and
   2. (B) as specifically provided by this chapter.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 3, eff. June 1, 2003.