Tenn. Code § 17-535
Except for obligations which may be owed to the employer, as to which obligations benefits may be applied by the board, no benefit under this retirement system shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge, and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge shall be void, nor shall any such benefit be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the person entitled to such benefit except as specifically provided in the retirement system; and in the event the employer or the board shall find that any member, retired member or beneficiary has become bankrupt or has attempted to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any benefit under the retirement system, except as specifically provided herein, then such benefit shall cease and determine, and in such event the board, in its sole discretion, shall hold or apply the same to or for the benefit of such member, retired member, beneficiary, his spouse, children or other dependents, or any of them.
T.C.A. § 17-535