104.1093.  Designation of an agent — benefit recipient defined — revocation of agent's authority. — 1.  For purposes of this section, the term "benefit recipient" shall include any employee, beneficiary or retiree pursuant to sections 104.010 to 104.1093, any administrative law judge, legal advisor or beneficiary as defined pursuant to section 287.812, or any judge or beneficiary as defined pursuant to section 476.515, or any special commissioner pursuant to section 476.450.

  2.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, any benefit recipient may designate an agent who shall have the same authority as an agent pursuant to a durable power of attorney pursuant to sections 404.700 to 404.737 with regard to the application for and receipt of an annuity or any other benefits.  The authority of such agent may be revoked at any time by such benefit recipient.  The authority of such agent shall not terminate if such benefit recipient becomes disabled or incapacitated.  The designation shall be effective only upon the disability or incapacity of the benefit recipient as determined by that person's physician and communicated in writing to the system.

  3.  In the event a benefit recipient becomes disabled or incapacitated and has not designated an agent pursuant to subsection 2 of this section, the following persons may act as agent as described in subsection 2 of this section upon submission of a written statement from a physician determining that the benefit recipient is disabled or incapacitated:

  (1)  The spouse of the benefit recipient;

  (2)  If the spouse is unavailable, to a child of the benefit recipient;

  (3)  If no child is available, to a parent of the benefit recipient;

  (4)  If no parent is available, to a brother or sister of the benefit recipient; or

  (5)  If no brother or sister is available, to a niece, nephew, or a grandchild of the benefit recipient.

  4.  The system shall not be liable with regard to any payment made in good faith pursuant to this section.