Tenn. Code § 8-4018
Any county official desiring to retire shall notify the comptroller of the state of his intentions which notice shall state the term of his service as a county official and average compensation as herein defined together with the date on which he proposes to retire from office. The county official desiring retirement shall obtain from the county judge of the county in which said county official is serving at the time of his retirement a sworn statement from said county judge to the effect that the county judge has examined pertinent records pertaining to the term of service of said county official and salaries or other compensation realized by said county official during his term of service and said affidavit shall contain the average compensation of the county official and the dates of service. Upon receipt of such affidavit, application and military record, if applicable, the comptroller shall examine the same and other pertinent records and certify to said board the facts with regard to said county official and his average compensation as calculated upon the basis set out in this chapter together with the date of his retirement. Said board shall thereupon fix the retirement benefit and certify the amount thereof due to such retiring member; and, said retiring benefit shall be paid monthly by the treasurer of the state of Tennessee out of said retirement fund to the retired member during his or her lifetime, and after the death of the retired member to the named beneficiary or beneficiaries for the minimum period or remainder of the minimum period established under this chapter, if applicable.
T.C.A. § 8-4018