Designation of beneficiary

A member may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries by filing such designation with the office. A member has the right to change the member's designation of beneficiary without the consent of the beneficiary, but no such change shall be effective or binding unless it is received by the office prior to the death of the member. If a vested, married member designates a beneficiary other than or in addition to spouse, the member's spouse's consent must be obtained before benefits can be paid other than to the member's spouse. For the purpose of this section, "member" means a participating member, a deferred member, or a retiree.