State Public Pensions in Connecticut

The Office of the State Comptroller administers the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) for state government workers; the Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board (CTRB) runs the separate retirement system for public school teachers. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option they elected.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Connecticut

osc.ct.gov/retirement/sers→

Administering agency

Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) — Office of the State Comptroller

Phone860-702-3528

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Connecticut: key facts

Systems: State Employees Retirement System (SERS), administered by the Office of the State Comptroller; Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board (CTRB) for public school teachers.
Retiree death (SERS): What continues depends on the survivor option the member elected at retirement: a designated survivor receives a pension equal to either 50% or 100% of the member's reduced benefit. A member who took no survivor option leaves no continuing pension.
Teacher survivor benefit (CTRB): If a teacher dies in active service, CTRB pays statutory survivors — a spouse and/or a minor child under 18: $300 monthly per minor or disabled child, and $300–$600 monthly to a surviving spouse ($300 plus $25 for each year of service over twelve), with a $1,500 monthly family maximum, plus a one-time lump-sum death payment of up to $2,000 depending on length of service.
Reporting a death: SERS: Office of the State Comptroller Retirement Payroll Unit, 860-702-3528 (Osc.Retireepayrollunit@ct.gov), or the online Report a Death form. CTRB: 1-800-504-1102 (165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford) — mail the Reporting the Death of a CTRB Member form with a photocopy of the death certificate.

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Connecticut

4-step process for Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) — Office of the State Comptroller.

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Connecticut primary sources (6 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Connecticut

osc.ct.gov/retirement/sers→

Administering agency

Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) — Office of the State Comptroller

Phone860-702-3528

WebsiteVisit website →

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Connecticut: key facts

Systems

State Employees Retirement System (SERS), administered by the Office of the State Comptroller; Connecticut Teachers' Retirement Board (CTRB) for public school teachers.

Retiree death (SERS)

What continues depends on the survivor option the member elected at retirement: a designated survivor receives a pension equal to either 50% or 100% of the member's reduced benefit. A member who took no survivor option leaves no continuing pension.

Teacher survivor benefit (CTRB)

If a teacher dies in active service, CTRB pays statutory survivors — a spouse and/or a minor child under 18: $300 monthly per minor or disabled child, and $300–$600 monthly to a surviving spouse ($300 plus $25 for each year of service over twelve), with a $1,500 monthly family maximum, plus a one-time lump-sum death payment of up to $2,000 depending on length of service.

Reporting a death

SERS: Office of the State Comptroller Retirement Payroll Unit, 860-702-3528 (Osc.Retireepayrollunit@ct.gov), or the online Report a Death form. CTRB: 1-800-504-1102 (165 Capitol Avenue, Hartford) — mail the Reporting the Death of a CTRB Member form with a photocopy of the death certificate.