State Public Pensions in Florida

State Public Pensions in Florida: key facts

Systems

FRS Pension Plan (defined benefit) and FRS Investment Plan (defined contribution). The Division of Retirement, within the Department of Management Services, administers the Pension Plan.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the payment option the retiree chose at retirement. Option 1 pays no continuing benefit — the beneficiary receives only a refund of personal contributions that exceed benefits already paid. Option 2 continues the same monthly payment to the beneficiary for the balance of 120 months if the retiree dies within 10 years of retiring. Options 3 and 4 pay a continuing lifetime monthly benefit, but only to a beneficiary who qualifies as a joint annuitant.

Pre-retirement death

A vested member's beneficiary who qualifies as a joint annuitant may choose a lifetime monthly benefit, calculated as if the member had retired the month after death under Option 3 (reduced for early retirement if the member died before normal retirement age), or a refund of personal contributions. A non-vested member's beneficiary, or a beneficiary who is not a joint annuitant, receives only a refund of the member's personal contributions.

Payments after death

If the member's bank did not accept the direct deposit or refused to cash the payment sent in the month of death, the estate is entitled to the retirement benefit issued at the end of the month of death. Any retirement benefit issued in the member's name and dated after the month of death must by law be returned or repaid to the Division.

Contact

Report a death to the Division of Retirement at 1-844-377-1888 (or 850-907-6500), or through FRS Online at frs.fl.gov. MyFRS Financial Guidance Line: 1-866-446-9377.

Governing law: Fla. Stat. 121.091(6) (optional forms of retirement benefits), 121.091(7) (death benefits); Fla. Stat. 121.4501 (FRS Investment Plan)

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Identify whether the deceased was an FRS Pension Plan or Investment Plan member, and whether active, in DROP, or retired.
2. Report the death to the Division of Retirement at 1-844-377-1888, in writing, or through FRS Online at frs.fl.gov, with the member's full name, Member ID, and date of death.
3. Confirm the beneficiary or joint annuitant designation on file and ask the Division what survivor or death benefit is payable.
4. File the application forms the Division provides — a joint annuitant must apply before a monthly benefit can begin.
5. Return any retirement benefit issued in the member's name and dated after the month of death.

Frequently asked questions