State Public Pensions in Colorado

Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits for state, school, local government, judicial, and Denver Public Schools employees. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member died before or after retirement and, for a retiree, on which of the three benefit options they elected at retirement.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Colorado

copera.org/survivor-benefits→

Administering agency

Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA)

Phone800-759-7372

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-201 (divisions); Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-801 (benefit options)

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Colorado: key facts

System: Colorado PERA is made up of the state, school, local government, judicial, and Denver Public Schools divisions.
Retiree death: It depends on the option elected at retirement. Option 1: a single life benefit that ends at the retiree's death. Option 2: a joint life benefit under which one-half of the benefit continues to the cobeneficiary for life. Option 3: a joint life benefit under which the same benefit continues to the cobeneficiary for life. Under any option, if total benefits paid did not exceed the money credited to the member contribution account, an amount equal to twice the remaining money is paid to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if there is no named beneficiary.
Pre-retirement death: Qualified survivors receive either an ongoing monthly benefit or a one-time lump sum. Under the PERA benefit structure, survivor benefits require that the member was eligible to retire, or was an active member with at least one year of service credit, or had a job-related death, or was an inactive member with at least five years of service and a surviving spouse. A member who does not qualify leaves a one-time lump-sum payment of the account to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if none is named.
Member services: 800-759-7372; PO Box 5800, Denver, CO 80217-5800; offices at 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Denver.

Governing law: Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-201 (divisions); Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-801 (benefit options)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Colorado

3-step process for Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Colorado primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Colorado

copera.org/survivor-benefits→

Administering agency

Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA)

Phone800-759-7372

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-201 (divisions); Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-801 (benefit options)

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Colorado: key facts

System

Colorado PERA is made up of the state, school, local government, judicial, and Denver Public Schools divisions.

Retiree death

It depends on the option elected at retirement. Option 1: a single life benefit that ends at the retiree's death. Option 2: a joint life benefit under which one-half of the benefit continues to the cobeneficiary for life. Option 3: a joint life benefit under which the same benefit continues to the cobeneficiary for life. Under any option, if total benefits paid did not exceed the money credited to the member contribution account, an amount equal to twice the remaining money is paid to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if there is no named beneficiary.

Pre-retirement death

Qualified survivors receive either an ongoing monthly benefit or a one-time lump sum. Under the PERA benefit structure, survivor benefits require that the member was eligible to retire, or was an active member with at least one year of service credit, or had a job-related death, or was an inactive member with at least five years of service and a surviving spouse. A member who does not qualify leaves a one-time lump-sum payment of the account to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if none is named.

Member services

800-759-7372; PO Box 5800, Denver, CO 80217-5800; offices at 1301 Pennsylvania Street, Denver.

Governing law: Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-201 (divisions); Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-801 (benefit options)