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.

Death notification

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.

Deadline: As soon as possible; benefit payments received after death must be returned

Survivor benefits

The PBGC offers 4 benefits for surviving family members.

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.

Amount: 50%, 75%, or 100% of the participant's reduced monthly benefit, depending on election

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.

Amount: Same monthly benefit as the participant received, for the remainder of the certain period

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.

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)

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.

Amount: Varies based on amounts underpaid plus interest

When someone dies

Notifying the PBGC after a death

5-step process, 6 required documents, and 4 survivor benefits.

View details →

Frequently asked questions

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.