If you die after you begin a service or disability retirement, your survivors may be eligible to receive benefits according to the retirement option you chose.
If you die before retiring, your designated beneficiary (as listed with DRS) may be eligible for benefits. These benefits also apply to survivors of members who leave LEOFF-covered employment but do not withdraw their contributions.
If you die before you have 10 service credit years and are not eligible for retirement, your beneficiary receives all of your accumulated contributions. If you have no living beneficiary, your contributions are paid to your surviving spouse, or if none, to your legal representatives (your estate).
If you die with 10 or more service credit years or after becoming eligible to retire, your surviving spouse, or if none, the guardian of your minor children, may choose one of the following benefits:
If your spouse dies while receiving a survivor’s retirement benefit and leaves a minor child or children, the children will continue to receive the benefit that was being paid to your surviving spouse. The benefit will be shared equally among the children and paid until they reach the age of majority.
If there is no surviving spouse at the time of your death, and you have minor children, the children are eligible to receive a benefit, but with the assumption that you and your spouse were the same age at the time of your death.
If you have no surviving spouse or minor children, your accumulated contributions will be paid to your designated beneficiary. Contact DRS if you have questions.
Survivor benefits are payable from the first day of the calendar month following the month in which a member dies.
If an active member or disability retiree dies as a result of injuries sustained in the course of employment or if the death resulted from an occupational disease or infection that arose naturally and proximately out of their covered employment, and the Department of Labor and Industries has determined eligibility for the payment, DRS will pay a $150,000 death benefit to the member’s beneficiary.
If you die as a result of injuries sustained in the line of duty as a public safety officer, your survivor’s benefits may be exempt from taxes under federal and state law. DRS determines eligibility.
As your life changes, whether you marry, divorce or remarry, make sure to keep your beneficiary designation up-to-date. Download the Beneficiary Designation form here.
If you are an active member or a retiree with an Option 1 benefit payment, you may name your estate, a trust, an organization, or a person as your beneficiary.
If you choose a survivor benefit option at retirement, you must select a person (not a trust or organization or estate) as your beneficiary. See options.
Please note that an ex-spouse may be able to attach your benefits under certain circumstances. (More information here)
Once you retire you may change your benefit option and beneficiary only if you return to active membership or qualify for an exception.