District Of Columbia § 38-2021.10 - Payment of beneficiaries.
Full text of District Of Columbia D.C. Code § 38-2021.10 — Payment of beneficiaries., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 38-2021.10. Payment of beneficiaries.
38-2021.10Under regulations prescribed by the District of Columbia Retirement Board, a present or former teacher may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries for the purpose of this part.
Lump-sum benefits authorized by subsections (c), (d), and (e) of this section shall be paid in the following order of precedence to the person or persons surviving the teacher and alive at the date title to the payment arises, and the payment bars recovery by any other person:
To the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the teacher in a signed and witnessed writing received by the District of Columbia Retirement Board before the teacher’s death;
If there is no designated beneficiary, to the spouse or domestic partner of the teacher;
If none of the above, to the child or children of the teacher and descendants of deceased children by representation;
If none of the above, to the parents of the teacher or the survivor of them;
If none of the above, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of the estate of the teacher;
If none of the above, to such other next of kin of the teachers as the District of Columbia Retirement Board determines to be entitled under the laws of the domicile of the teacher at the date of his death.
For the purpose of this subsection, the term “child” includes a natural child and an adopted child, but does not include a stepchild.
If: (1) a teacher dies: (A) without a survivor; or (B) with a survivor or survivors and the right of all survivors terminates before a claim for survivor annuity is filed; or (2) a former teacher not retired dies, the lump-sum credit shall be paid.
If all annuity rights under this part based on the service of a deceased teacher terminate before the total annuity paid equals the lump-sum credit, the difference shall be paid.
If an annuitant dies, any annuity accrued and unpaid shall be paid.
For purposes of this section, the term “lump-sum credit” means the unrefunded amount consisting of:
Retirement deductions made under this part from the salary of a teacher;
Amounts deposited into the teachers’ retirement and annuity fund by a teacher covering earlier service; and
Interest earned prior to the end of the 90-day period beginning on November 17, 1979, on the deductions and deposits made with respect to service which aggregates more than 1 year but excluding interest for the fractional part of a month in the total service.
Annotations
Source: official District Of Columbia text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About District Of Columbia § 38-2021.10
What does D.C. Code § 38-2021.10 cover?
Section 38-2021.10 ("Payment of beneficiaries.") is part of the D.C. Code, the codified statutory law of District Of Columbia. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite District Of Columbia § 38-2021.10?
A common citation format is "D.C. Code § 38-2021.10" (District Of Columbia). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of District Of Columbia law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the District Of Columbia official source linked on this page or consult a licensed District Of Columbia attorney.
How does District Of Columbia § 38-2021.10 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in District Of Columbia.