State Public Pensions in Alaska: when someone dies
A 4-step process for Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits after a death in Alaska.
Administering agency
Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits
Steps to take
- 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.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Alaska primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Alaska Department of Administration — Division of Retirement and Benefits