# Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-107: Lump sum death benefit > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-107 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-107 - **Heading:** Lump sum death benefit - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 8 / Chapter 36 / Section 8-36-107 ## Text (a) Upon the death of a member prior to retirement on account of whom no benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to such entity as the member shall have nominated by written designation, duly executed and filed with the board of trustees. In the event that there are no surviving designated beneficiaries, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to the member's estate in accordance with § 8-36-120 . (b) If such member shall have been in service within one hundred fifty (150) days preceding such member's death, an additional amount equal to such member's accumulated contributions shall be paid in accordance with subsection (a); provided, that no benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if a member described in subsection (a) dies while on an approved medical leave of absence, an additional amount equal to such member's accumulated contributions shall be paid in accordance with subsection (a); provided, that: (1) The member maintained health insurance coverage through the member's employer; (2) The member dies within one (1) year upon being approved for the leave of absence; and (3) No benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter. (d) Any person who is entitled to receive a retirement allowance under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter on account of the death of a member prior to retirement may elect to receive the benefits provided in subsection (a) or (b) in lieu of the benefits to which such person would otherwise be entitled. Acts 1972, ch. 814, § 5; T.C.A., § 8-3920; Acts 1986, ch. 553, §§ 9, 10; 1987, ch. 54, § 12; 1991, ch. 378, §§ 10-12; 2002, ch. 863, §§ 3, 22. (a) Upon the death of a member prior to retirement on account of whom no benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to such entity as the member shall have nominated by written designation, duly executed and filed with the board of trustees. In the event that there are no surviving designated beneficiaries, the member's accumulated contributions shall be paid to the member's estate in accordance with § 8-36-120 . (b) If such member shall have been in service within one hundred fifty (150) days preceding such member's death, an additional amount equal to such member's accumulated contributions shall be paid in accordance with subsection (a); provided, that no benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter. (c) Notwithstanding any provision of this section to the contrary, if a member described in subsection (a) dies while on an approved medical leave of absence, an additional amount equal to such member's accumulated contributions shall be paid in accordance with subsection (a); provided, that: (1) The member maintained health insurance coverage through the member's employer; (2) The member dies within one (1) year upon being approved for the leave of absence; and (3) No benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter. (1) The member maintained health insurance coverage through the member's employer; (2) The member dies within one (1) year upon being approved for the leave of absence; and (3) No benefit is payable under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter. (d) Any person who is entitled to receive a retirement allowance under §§ 8-36-108 , 8-36-109 or part 6 of this chapter on account of the death of a member prior to retirement may elect to receive the benefits provided in subsection (a) or (b) in lieu of the benefits to which such person would otherwise be entitled. Acts 1972, ch. 814, § 5; T.C.A., § 8-3920; Acts 1986, ch. 553, §§ 9, 10; 1987, ch. 54, § 12; 1991, ch. 378, §§ 10-12; 2002, ch. 863, §§ 3, 22. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-101 Prohibited changes in retirement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-102 Limitation on amount of retirement allowance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-103 Members of the general assembly prior to June 30, 1976](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-104 Limitation on "average final compensation" in benefit computation for teachers employed by the University of Tennessee](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-105 Lump sum payments by prior class members who limited earnable compensation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-106 Suspension of allowances by beneficiaries](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-107 Lump sum death benefit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-107.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-108 Benefits upon death in line of duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-108.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-109 Survivor benefits](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-109.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-110 Rate of benefit for beneficiary with creditable service in more than one class](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-110.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-111 Exemption of benefits from execution, attachment, garnishment and assignment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-111.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-112 Withholding of insurance premiums from benefit payments authorized](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-112.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-113 Withholding of payment of contributions or monthly benefit under certain circumstances - Satisfaction of claims of state against terminated member upon application for withdrawal of contributions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-113.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 8-36-114 Satisfaction of claims of employer against retired beneficiary by deduction from monthly benefit](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-114.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T8_C36_S8-36-107. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.