1. (a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this section, documents must be filed with TCDRS in a format prescribed by the Director and may be required to be filed electronically in accordance with Section 845.116(b) of the Government Code and instructions provided by the Director.
2. (b) If a proceeding becomes a contested case, documents thereafter shall be filed in accordance with applicable SOAH rules and statute.
3. (c) A document requiring certification by an Employer that is filed in the format prescribed by the Director is considered to have been certified as to the truth and correctness of the information provided by the Employer. A document that is filed by an individual in the format prescribed by the Director is considered to have been certified as to the truth and correctness of the information provided by the individual.
4. (d) An electronically filed document and an electronic transfer are received by TCDRS and considered filed when the time receipt is recorded by TCDRS' electronic system. For purposes of meeting a filing deadline, an electronically filed document and an electronic transfer must be received by TCDRS before 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time of the deadline.
5. (e) Documents that are not required to be electronically filed under Subsection (a) of this section shall be filed with the Director at TCDRS' physical office in Austin. Such documents shall be deemed filed only when received by TCDRS.
6. (f) For purposes of clarity, if an individual who completes and executes a beneficiary designation or application for benefits dies before TCDRS receives such documentation, such application or designation will not be accepted or considered valid, regardless of how or when it is filed or received by TCDRS.

Source Note:The provisions of this §101.3 adopted to be effective January 8, 2026, 51 TexReg 156.