N.C. Gen. Stat. § 135-185 (2026)

(a) Designation. - A member shall designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries for each applicable benefit payable under this Article by electronic submission in a form approved by the Board of Trustees or by written designation duly acknowledged and filed with the Board of Trustees.

(b) Benefits Payable. - Each applicable benefit payable under this Article shall be paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the benefit. If no beneficiaries are designated or living at the time of the member's death, then the benefit shall be paid to the member's legal representative.  (2025-11, ss. 1(a), 3.)