Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
Survivor annuities from PBGC-protected private pension plans
PBGC Customer Service
PBGC PO Box 151750 Alexandria, VA 22315-1750
Survivor Benefits
Death Reporting
After a death is reported and documentation is received, PBGC reviews the participant's file to determine whether any survivor benefits are due and contacts the person(s) eligible to receive them.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation protects the retirement incomes of workers in private-sector defined benefit pension plans. When a PBGC benefit recipient dies, PBGC processes survivor annuity payments, preretirement survivor benefits for spouses, and any unpaid amounts owed to the deceased participant.
Notifying the PBGC when someone dies
When a PBGC benefit recipient dies, a spouse, family member, caregiver, close friend, or legal representative (executor, trustee, or attorney) should contact PBGC as soon as possible by calling 1-800-400-7242, emailing customerservice@pbgc.gov, or writing to PBGC at PO Box 151750, Alexandria, VA 22315-1750. Have the deceased's full name, Social Security number or PBGC customer ID, date of death, your name, contact information, and relationship to the deceased ready. PBGC will review the participant's file and contact eligible beneficiaries.
Timeline: As soon as possible; benefit payments received after death must be returned
- •Call 1-800-400-7242 (TTY: dial 711)
- •Or email CustomerService@pbgc.gov (send documents as JPEG or PDF attachments only)
- •Or write to PBGC, PO Box 151750, Alexandria, VA 22315-1750
- •Have the deceased's full name, Social Security number or PBGC customer ID, date of death, your name, contact information, and relationship to the deceased ready
- •Certified copy of the death certificate
- •Proof of appointment as executor or estate administrator (if applicable)
- •PBGC will send a Benefit Information Form to the estate requesting payment preferences
- •Apply online through MyPBA (My Pension Benefit Access) at pbgc.gov
- •Or call 1-800-400-7242 for assistance
- •Have the participant's Social Security number, plan name or case number, and your own Social Security number
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Deceased's Social Security number or PBGC customer ID
- Proof of appointment as executor or administrator (if applicable)
- PBGC Benefit Information Form (sent by PBGC after death is reported)
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse QPSA claims)
- Bank account information for direct deposit of survivor benefits
Timeline
After a death is reported and documentation is received, PBGC reviews the participant's file to determine whether any survivor benefits are due and contacts the person(s) eligible to receive them.
Survivor benefits
Survivor Annuity (Joint-and-Survivor)
If the deceased participant elected a joint-and-survivor annuity at retirement, the named beneficiary receives continued monthly payments for life. Options include 50%, 75%, or 100% of the participant's reduced benefit amount. A joint-and-50% "pop-up" option increases the participant's benefit back to the straight-life amount if the beneficiary dies first.
Eligibility: Named beneficiary of a participant who elected a joint-and-survivor annuity
Amount: 50%, 75%, or 100% of the participant's reduced monthly benefit, depending on election
How to apply: Contact PBGC at 1-800-400-7242 or apply through MyPBA (My Pension Benefit Access) online portal
Learn more →Certain-and-Continuous Annuity Survivor Benefit
If the participant elected a certain-and-continuous annuity (5, 10, or 15 years) and dies before the certain period ends, the designated beneficiary receives the same monthly benefit for the remainder of the certain period. No benefit is payable if the participant survived past the certain period.
Eligibility: Designated beneficiary of a participant who elected a certain-and-continuous annuity and died during the certain period
Amount: Same monthly benefit as the participant received, for the remainder of the certain period
How to apply: Contact PBGC at 1-800-400-7242 or apply through MyPBA online portal
Learn more →Preretirement Survivor Benefit (QPSA)
A qualified preretirement survivor annuity (QPSA) is paid to the surviving spouse of a married participant who died before receiving pension payments, if the plan terminated after August 23, 1984. PBGC pays the spouse monthly for life based on the participant's accrued benefit. If the benefit value is $5,000 or less ($7,000 or less for plans ending after January 1, 2024), PBGC may pay a lump sum instead.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse of a married participant who died before retirement (plan terminated after August 23, 1984); spouse may need to have been married at least one year before death depending on plan rules
Amount: Monthly lifetime payments based on the participant's earned benefit as of the plan termination date; lump sum if benefit value is $5,000 or less ($7,000 for plans ending after January 1, 2024)
How to apply: Contact PBGC at 1-800-400-7242; PBGC contacts eligible survivors after death is reported
Learn more →Unpaid Amounts Owed at Death
Any benefit amounts PBGC had underpaid to the participant, plus interest, are paid to the designated beneficiary. Beneficiaries can designate their own recipients for unpaid amounts using PBGC Form 707.
Eligibility: Designated beneficiary or, if none, survivors in the order of precedence: spouse, children, parents, estate, next of kin
Amount: Varies based on amounts underpaid plus interest
How to apply: Processed by PBGC after the death is reported and documentation submitted
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Call PBGC at 1-800-400-7242, email CustomerService@pbgc.gov, or write to PBGC, PO Box 151750, Alexandria, VA 22315-1750. Have the deceased's full name, Social Security number or PBGC customer ID, and date of death ready. PBGC will review the participant's file and contact eligible beneficiaries.
A qualified preretirement survivor annuity is paid to the surviving spouse of a married participant who died before receiving pension payments, if the plan terminated after August 23, 1984. PBGC pays the spouse as though the participant had retired with a joint-and-survivor annuity just before death.
Check bank statements for PBGC direct deposits, review IRS Form 1099-R issued by PBGC, or consult PBGC's published list of trusteed plans at pbgc.gov. You can also ask family members, former coworkers, or union representatives, or call PBGC at 1-800-400-7242.
Form 707 (Designation of Beneficiary for Benefits Owed at Death) allows a current PBGC payee or beneficiary to designate who should receive any amounts owed at their death, such as unpaid benefit amounts. This form is for unpaid amounts only, not ongoing survivor annuity payments.
If the participant elected a straight-life annuity (no survivor benefit), payments stop at the participant's death. The designated beneficiary receives only any uncashed checks or amounts PBGC owed at the time of death. No ongoing survivor annuity is payable.
A former spouse may retain survivor benefit rights if a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) reflecting the divorce settlement assigns those rights. The QDRO must be on file with PBGC. Contact PBGC for guidance on submitting a QDRO.
Yes, but only for small benefit amounts. If the total value of a preretirement survivor benefit (QPSA) is $5,000 or less ($7,000 or less for plans ending after January 1, 2024), PBGC may pay the benefit as a one-time lump sum instead of monthly payments.
No. PBGC only covers defined benefit pension plans (traditional pension plans that promise a specific monthly benefit at retirement). PBGC does not cover 401(k) plans, profit-sharing plans, or other defined contribution plans.
No. PBGC cannot change the form of benefit a participant elected once payments have begun. The annuity type and beneficiary designation are permanent after the first payment. Beneficiary changes for certain-and-continuous annuities require spousal consent.
Sources
Data sourced from Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation primary sources (10 pages reviewed). How we research.
PBGC Customer Service
PBGC PO Box 151750 Alexandria, VA 22315-1750
Survivor Benefits
Death Reporting
After a death is reported and documentation is received, PBGC reviews the participant's file to determine whether any survivor benefits are due and contacts the person(s) eligible to receive them.