Survivors

>>Steps to take when applying for survivor benefits

Death before Retirement (Non-Duty Related)
If you die with at least five years of credited service, a survivor benefit will be paid to your eligible spouse or child(ren). Although survivor benefit payments begin the first of the month following your date of death, they are not automatic. Each eligible benefit recipient must submit an Application for Survivor Benefits with the required documentation.

To be eligible, your surviving spouse must be married to you on your date of death. The monthly benefit for your spouse will be based on the benefit you have accrued as of your date of death and calculated according to the Joint & 100% Survivor Option. The survivor benefit will be payable for the remainder of your spouse’s life.

If there is no eligible spouse (or the spouse’s benefit is no longer payable), a total of 80% of your monthly base benefit will be paid to your natural or legally adopted child(ren) under the age of 21. If there is more than one eligible child, the benefit will be divided equally among them. The survivor benefit for each child will stop when the child becomes age 21 (unless a child is totally disabled).

Death Before Retirement (Duty-Related)
If you die while actively employed and your death is determined to be duty related, your eligible spouse or child(ren) will receive a survivor benefit equal to the non duty-related death before retirement benefit, but in no event will the benefit amount be less than 50% of your average monthly compensation. In the event of a duty-related death, there is no minimum service requirement.

Survivor recipients are not eligible for formula increases or the temporary benefit; however they are eligible for annual COLAs.