Upon the death of any person while receiving a retirement allowance from the system, the board of retirement may supplement the sum payable pursuant to Section 31789 by an amount of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) from the surplus earnings established pursuant to Section 31592.2.
This section applies to every retiree who dies after this section becomes operative whether retired before or after the operative date of this section.
This section shall not become operative in any county until such time as the board of retirement determines that this supplemental benefit can be financed from the surplus earnings established pursuant to Section 31592.2 which exceed 1 percent of the total assets of the retirement system.
The total of the death benefits paid pursuant to Section 31789 and this section shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). The death benefits payable pursuant to Section 31789 and this section shall be paid only by the system which is subject to Section 31789 and this section and in which the member rendered his or her last service.
Ca. Gov. Code § 31789.13