Cal. Education Code § 26811

(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), the annuity beneficiary under the joint and survivor annuity elected pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 26807 or paragraph (2), (3), or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 26807.5 shall be the person designated by the participant on the application for a retirement benefit under this part, and shall not be changed after the original retirement date unless the beneficiary has predeceased the participant. (b) (1) A participant may change the annuity beneficiary designated pursuant to this section without penalty by designating a trust as beneficiary if all of the following requirements are met: (A) The trust conforms to the definition of trust in Section 26105.5. (B) The beneficiary of the trust is the same person as the previously named annuity beneficiary. (C) The member files an application and any required documents in a form prescribed by the system. (2) If a trust is determined to be invalid or terminates after the system commences payment to the trust, beginning on the effective date of termination of the trust, the benefit shall be paid to, and all associated rights and responsibilities shall accrue to, the beneficiary of the trust so long as that beneficiary is eligible to receive a benefit pursuant to this section.