State Public Pensions in California
California public-employee pensions are administered by CalPERS for state and local government workers and by CalSTRS for public school educators. Survivor and death benefits range from a return of contributions to a monthly allowance, depending on whether the member was active or retired and the option they elected. Benefits are not paid automatically — a survivor must apply.
State Public Pensions in California: key facts
- Systems
- CalPERS (California Public Employees' Retirement System) and CalSTRS (California State Teachers' Retirement System).
- CalPERS benefits
- Range from a return of contributions plus interest to a monthly allowance; the beneficiary on file receives the benefit, or CalPERS applies the statutory beneficiary order.
- CalSTRS coverage
- The Defined Benefit Program provides survivor benefits before or after retirement under Coverage A (family allowance) or Coverage B (survivor benefit).
- Contacts
- CalPERS 888-225-7377; CalSTRS 800-228-5453 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time, Monday through Friday). Report the death and apply — benefits are not automatic.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a CalPERS member (state or local government) or a CalSTRS member (public school educator).
- Report the death to the system — CalPERS at 888-225-7377, or CalSTRS at 800-228-5453 or through its online Notification of Death — and send a copy of the death certificate.
- Confirm the beneficiary or recipient designation on file and ask what survivor or death benefit is payable.
- Apply for the survivor or death benefit; a CalSTRS caseworker contacts the recipient by letter to complete the application, and CalSTRS generally pays beneficiaries or the estate within 120 days of receiving all necessary information.
Frequently asked questions
Contact CalPERS at 888-225-7377 for a state or local government employee, or CalSTRS at 800-228-5453 for a public school educator. Both require a certified death certificate and an application — survivor benefits are not paid automatically.
CalPERS death benefits range from a return of the member's contributions plus interest to a monthly allowance. The amount depends on whether the member was active or retired and the retirement payment option elected, and is paid to the beneficiary on file or per the statutory beneficiary order.
Under the CalSTRS Defined Benefit Program, survivor benefits are payable whether death occurs before or after retirement, through Coverage A (a family allowance) or Coverage B (a survivor benefit). A caseworker contacts the recipient to complete the application after a death is reported.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in California primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.