Beneficiary Designation Guide

PERS - Beneficiary Before Retirement
Killed on the Job Survivor Benefits

YRS in System

Family Survivors

Beneficiary

First Day Coverage

With Spouse - regardless of length of marriage
And Dependent Children

The spouse and dependent children are eligible to receive monthly benefits.

First Day Coverage

No Spouse
With Dependent Children

The dependent children are eligible to receive a monthly benefit until they are no longer dependent.

First Day Coverage

With Spouse - regardless of length of marriage
No Dependent Children

The spouse is eligible for monthly benefits. If the spouse waives the monthly benefit, the designated beneficiary on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form is eligible for a lump sum refund.

First Day Coverage

No Spouse
No Dependent Children
With Beneficiary on PERS 1

The designated beneficiary on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form is eligible for a lump sum refund.

First Day Coverage

No Spouse
No Dependent Children
No Beneficiary on PERS 1

A lump sum refund is payable as follows:

1. The surviving spouse of the member

2. The children of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

3. The brothers and sisters of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

4. The parents of the member

5. The executor or administrator on behalf of the member's estate

6. The persons entitled by law to distribution of the member's estate

PERS - Beneficiary Before Retirement
Non-Duty Related Death Before Becoming Vested

YRS in System

Family Survivors

Beneficiary

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for less than 1 year and Dependent Children

A lump sum refund is payable to the beneficiary designated on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form, PERS 1.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for less than 1 year
No Dependent Children

A lump sum refund is payable to the beneficiary designated on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form, PERS 1.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for more than 1 year and Dependent Children

The member's lawful spouse is entitled to receive a lump sum refund of the member's contributions, unless the member designated another beneficiary after marriage to the spouse.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for more than 1 year
No Dependent Children

The member's lawful spouse is entitled to receive a lump sum refund of the member's contributions, unless the member designated another beneficiary after marriage to the spouse.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No Spouse but
with Dependent Children

A lump sum refund is payable to the beneficiary designated on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form, PERS 1.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No Spouse
No Dependent Children
With Beneficiary on PERS 1

The designated beneficiary on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form is eligible for a lump sum refund.

Less than 4 years (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or less than 8 years (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No spouse
No dependent children
No Beneficiary on PERS 1

A lump sum refund is payable as follows:

1. The surviving spouse of the member

2. The children of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

3. The brothers and sisters of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

4. The parents of the member

5. The executor or administrator on behalf of the member's estate

6. The persons entitled by law to distribution of the member's estate

PERS - Beneficiary Before Retirement
Non-Duty Related Death After Vesting

YRS in System

Family Survivors

Beneficiary

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for more than 1 year and Dependent Children

The lawful spouse and dependent children are eligible to receive monthly benefits. The spouse cannot waive monthly benefits where there is a dependent child.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for more than 1 year
No Dependent Children

The spouse is eligible for monthly benefits. The spouse can waive the monthly benefit and the designated beneficiary on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form is eligible for a lump sum refund.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for less than 1 year and Dependent Children

The spouse is not eligible for monthly benefits. The dependent children are eligible to receive a monthly benefit until they are no longer eligible.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

With Spouse - married for less than 1 year
No Dependent Children

The spouse is not eligible for benefits. A lump sum refund is payable to the member's designated beneficiary on the Beneficiary Nomination Form.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No Spouse
With Dependent Children

The dependent children are eligible to receive a monthly benefit until they are no longer eligible.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No Spouse
No Dependent Children
With Beneficiary on PERS 1

A lump sum refund is payable to the designated beneficiary on the member's Beneficiary Nomination Form, Form 1B.

4 years or more (members who entered covered service prior to July 1, 2007) or 8 years or more (members who entered covered service on or after July 1, 2007)

No Spouse
No Dependent Children
No Beneficiary on PERS 1

A lump sum refund is payable as follows:

1. The surviving spouse of the member

2. The children of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

3. The brothers and sisters of the member or their descendents, per stirpes

4. The parents of the member

5. The executor or administrator on behalf of the member's estate

6. The persons entitled by law to distribution of the member's estate