Cal. Gov. Code § 75088.4
A judge described in Section 75086 may, at any time, designate a beneficiary to receive the benefits that may be payable to his or her beneficiary or estate under this article by a writing filed with the board, except that no designation may be made in derogation of the community property share of any nonmember spouse when any benefit is derived, in whole or in part, from community property contributions or service credited during the period of marriage, unless the nonmember spouse has previously obtained an alternative order for division pursuant to Section 2610 of the Family Code. If a judge has not filed a beneficiary designation with the board, all benefits payable pursuant to this article shall be paid to the survivors of the judge in the order set forth in Section 21493.
Ca. Gov. Code § 75088.4