O.C.G.A. § 47-6-85 (2019)

Except as otherwise provided in Article 2 of Chapter 1 of this title, a member’s accumulated contributions shall be 100 percent vested and nonforfeitable at all times. Upon the request of a member who ceases to be a member of the system for reasons other than retirement or death, the member shall be paid the member’s accumulated contributions as soon as feasible after such request. If the member dies before payment has been made, the amount of the member’s accumulated contributions shall be paid to such person as the member has nominated by written designation filed with the board, otherwise to the member’s estate.