Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 43:15A-50 and 43:15A-50.1, the person designated as the beneficiary of an optional settlement on the retirement application may request, upon the member's death, that a retirement become effective and that a selection of an optional settlement be made, as authorized by the law. If there is no designated beneficiary for an optional settlement, the person designated as the beneficiary to receive the return of contributions or unpaid benefits due to a retiree at the date of death may make this request. If a beneficiary requests that an optional settlement be made, the death benefits payable on behalf of the member shall be the death benefits payable on behalf of a member who dies after retirement as otherwise provided in the Public Employees' Retirement System Act, N.J.S.A. 43:15A-1 through 141 as amended and supplemented.
N.J. Admin. Code § 17:2-3.13