State Public Pensions in Alaska
The Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits runs the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) for state and local government workers and public educators. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired, whether the death was occupational, and the payment option elected.
Administering agency
Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits
Authority
Alaska Stat. 39.35 (PERS); Alaska Stat. 14.25 (TRS)
State Public Pensions in Alaska: key facts
- Systems
- Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), Judicial Retirement System (JRS), Elected Public Officers Retirement System (EPORS), and the National Guard and Naval Militia Retirement System (NGNMRS). The Division also takes death reports for the Supplemental Annuity Plan (SBS) and the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP).
- Retiree death
- The continuing benefit depends on the option elected: the 75% and 50% joint-and-survivor options pay a surviving spouse that percentage of the reduced benefit for life, and the 66-2/3% last survivor option pays that share. With no joint-and-survivor election, the beneficiary receives any balance left in the employee contribution account or the member's last check. A benefit check payable to a deceased member must be returned to the Division and reissued in the beneficiary's name.
- Pre-retirement death
- A non-occupational death pays the balance of the employee contribution account; for a vested member the beneficiary also receives a lump-sum death benefit of $1,000 plus $100 for each year of credited service, and a spouse may instead take a monthly 50% joint-and-survivor benefit (one year of marriage required, waived if the death is accidental or occupational). An occupational death pays a monthly survivor pension — 40% of the member's gross salary at death for most PERS members, and for a peace officer or fire fighter the greater of 50% of gross salary or 75% of the normal retirement benefit — with no vesting requirement.
- No beneficiary on file
- Payment follows the last designation received by the Division (or Empower Retirement). With no designation, or a deceased beneficiary, benefits are paid to the surviving spouse; if none, in equal parts to the surviving children; if none, in equal parts to the surviving parents; if none, to the member's estate.
- Member services
- (800) 821-2251 toll-free or (907) 465-4460 in Juneau. The Division mails information on benefits payable to beneficiaries within 4-6 weeks of a death report, and cannot pay most benefits until it has an original certified death certificate.
Governing law: Alaska Stat. 39.35 (PERS); Alaska Stat. 14.25 (TRS)
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of PERS, TRS, JRS, EPORS, NGNMRS, the Supplemental Annuity Plan, or the Deferred Compensation Plan.
- Report the death to the Division of Retirement and Benefits on its Death Notification Form (fax (907) 465-3086, email, or mail to P.O. Box 110203, Juneau, AK 99811-0203), with the name, date of death, date of birth, surviving spouse's contact information, and a contact for the person reporting.
- Send the Division an original certified death certificate — most benefits cannot be paid without one. An executor asking about benefits (rather than a designated beneficiary) should be ready to provide the Acceptance of Duties by Personal Representative and the court's Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration.
- Expect information on benefits payable and the forms required within 4-6 weeks, then file the survivor or death-benefit application. Survivor enrollment is not automatic; benefits accrue back to the first day of the month after the death.
Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits
Phone: 1-800-821-2251
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Contact the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits at (800) 821-2251, or (907) 465-4460 in Juneau. The Division runs PERS, TRS, JRS, EPORS, and NGNMRS, takes the death report on its Death Notification Form, and handles survivor and death-benefit claims.
It depends on the option the retiree elected. The 75% and 50% joint-and-survivor options pay a surviving spouse that percentage of the reduced benefit for life, and the 66-2/3% last survivor option pays that share. Without a joint-and-survivor election, the beneficiary receives any balance left in the employee contribution account or the member's last check rather than an ongoing pension. A check payable to a deceased member has to be returned to the Division and reissued in the beneficiary's name.
Yes. A non-occupational death pays the balance of the employee contribution account, and for a vested member a lump-sum death benefit of $1,000 plus $100 for each year of credited service — or, for a spouse, a monthly 50% joint-and-survivor benefit instead. An occupational death pays a monthly survivor pension (40% of gross salary for most PERS members; more for a peace officer or fire fighter) with no vesting requirement.
The Division pays the surviving spouse; if there is none, in equal parts to the surviving children; if none, in equal parts to the surviving parents; and if none, to the member's estate.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Alaska primary sources (6 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits
Authority
Alaska Stat. 39.35 (PERS); Alaska Stat. 14.25 (TRS)