N.J. Stat. § 43:8A-16
Until the first payment on account of a retirement allowance becomes normally due, any member may elect to convert the retirement allowance otherwise payable on his account after retirement into a retirement allowance of equivalent actuarial value of one of the optional forms named below; provided, however, that no election of an optional benefit shall be effective until sixty days after the date of the filing of the election thereof with the board of trustees, or until sixty days after retirement, whichever is later, and should the member die before such election becomes effective, the benefits payable on his account shall be the same as though his election has not been filed and he had not been retired.
Option 1. A reduced retirement allowance payable during his life, with the provision that at his death a lump sum equal in amount to the difference between his aggregate contributions at the time of his retirement and the sum of the annuity payments actually made to him during his lifetime shall be paid to such person, if any, as he has nominated by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board, otherwise to his estate; or
Option 2. A reduced retirement allowance payable during his life, with the provision that it shall continue after his death for the life of the beneficiary nominated by him by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board at the time of retirement should such beneficiary survive him; or
Option 3. A reduced retirement allowance payable during his life, with the provision that it shall continue after his death at one-half the rate paid to him and be paid for the life of the beneficiary nominated by him by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the board at the time of retirement should such beneficiary survive him.
N.J.S. § 43:8A-16