State Public Pensions in Alabama
The Retirement Systems of Alabama runs the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) and the Employees' Retirement System (ERS) for public educators and state and local government workers. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the option they elected.
Administering agency
Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA)
State Public Pensions in Alabama: key facts
- Systems
- Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), Employees' Retirement System (ERS), and the Judicial Retirement Fund (JRF).
- Retiree death
- The continuing benefit depends on the retirement payment option the member elected. Under the Maximum Monthly Benefit, all monthly benefits cease at the retiree's death and the beneficiary receives only a one-time prorated payment covering the days of the month the retiree was living. Options 2, 3, and 4 continue a monthly benefit to the named beneficiary; Option 1 pays out any remaining annuity balance.
- Pre-retirement death
- A death benefit is calculated from the member's age, service credit, employment status, and retirement eligibility, and paid to the designated beneficiary — or to the member's estate if no beneficiary is designated.
- Required to claim
- Form RSA-SB (Application for Survivor Benefit) and a certified death certificate must be submitted to the RSA before a death benefit is paid.
- Member services
- 877-517-0020 or 334-517-7000; Member Online Services at mso.rsa-al.gov.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of TRS, ERS, or JRF.
- Report the death to RSA so the member's pension payments stop.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask what survivor or death benefit is payable.
- Submit Form RSA-SB (Application for Survivor Benefit) with a certified death certificate. RSA sends any further forms, including the Benefit Election form, after it receives the RSA-SB.
Frequently asked questions
Contact the Retirement Systems of Alabama at 877-517-0020. RSA runs the Teachers' Retirement System and the Employees' Retirement System and handles survivor and death-benefit claims.
The benefit that continues depends on the payment option the retiree elected at retirement. Options 2, 3, and 4 continue a monthly benefit to the named beneficiary, and Option 1 pays out any remaining annuity balance. If the retiree took the Maximum Monthly Benefit, all monthly benefits cease at death and the beneficiary receives only a one-time prorated payment covering the days of the month the retiree was living.
Yes. RSA calculates a preretirement death benefit from the member's age, service credit, employment status, and retirement eligibility, and pays it to the designated beneficiary — or to the member's estate if no beneficiary is on file. RSA pays it after it receives Form RSA-SB, Application for Survivor Benefit, and a certified death certificate.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Alabama primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA)