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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Colorado→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in Colorado: when someone dies

A 3-step process for Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA) after a death in Colorado.

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

Steps to take

  1. Report the member's or retiree's death to Colorado PERA at 800-759-7372 so pension payments stop.
  2. Confirm the benefit option and the cobeneficiary or named beneficiary designation on file, and ask what survivor or death benefit is payable.
  3. File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents PERA requires.

Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (Colorado PERA)

Phone: 800-759-7372

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact Colorado PERA at 800-759-7372. PERA covers the state, school, local government, judicial, and Denver Public Schools divisions, and it handles survivor and death-benefit claims.

It depends on the option the retiree elected under Colo. Rev. Stat. 24-51-801. Option 1 is a single life benefit that ends at death. Option 2 continues one-half of the benefit to the cobeneficiary for life. Option 3 continues the same benefit to the cobeneficiary for life. Under any option, if the total benefits paid did not exceed the money credited to the member contribution account, twice the remaining money is paid to the named beneficiary or to the estate.

Qualified survivors receive either an ongoing monthly benefit or a one-time lump sum. Under the PERA benefit structure the member must have been eligible to retire, been an active member with at least one year of service credit, had a job-related death, or been an inactive member with at least five years of service leaving a surviving spouse. If the member does not qualify, a one-time lump-sum payment of the account goes to the named beneficiary, or to the estate if none is named.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • copera.org
  • content.leg.colorado.gov

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
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