$5,000 Death Benefit
At the death of a retired member, there is a one-time, lump-sum
benefit of $5,000 payable to the named beneficiary or estate.
This benefit may be reduced for retirees with outgoing reciprocity and is not payable upon the death
of a non-retiree receiving a monthly benefit or continuance
benefit.
Monthly “Continuance” Benefit
An eligible surviving spouse or minor children also may be
eligible for a monthly benefit, payable for life, depending on
the retirement option elected
by the member at retirement. The following survivor benefits are
based on an Unmodified Option election and the type of retirement
applicable to the deceased member:
-
Service retirement or
nonservice-connected disability retirement: An
eligible spouse will receive a 60% continuance of a deceased
member’s monthly benefit, payable for life. To be eligible, the
spouse must have been (a) married to the member for one year
prior to the retirement date or (b) at least age 55 and married
to the member for two years prior to the date of death.
-
Service-connected disability retirement: An
eligible spouse will receive a 100% continuance of a deceased
member’s monthly benefit, payable for life. To be eligible, the
surviving spouse must have been (a) married to the member prior
to the retirement date or (b) at least age 55 and married to
the member for two years prior to the date of death.
If there is no eligible spouse or partner, these “continuance”
benefits may be payable to minor children until age 18
(continuing through age 21 if they remain unmarried and regularly
enrolled as full-time students in an accredited school).