State Public Pensions in Georgia

State Public Pensions in Georgia: key facts

Systems

ERSGA administers the Employees' Retirement System and related plans (Public School Employees, Judicial, Legislative, Georgia Military Pension Fund, Georgia Defined Contribution Plan) plus Group Term Life Insurance. TRS administers the Teachers Retirement System.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the retirement option the member elected. Under TRS, Plan A or Plan B Option 1 may pay a lump-sum refund to the beneficiary, while Plan B Options 2, 2 Pop-up, 3, 3 Pop-up, and 4 pay a continuing monthly benefit. The retiree's month of death is the final month the retiree is entitled to a TRS benefit, and TRS writes to the beneficiaries within 45 days of notification.

Pre-retirement death

Under TRS, a member with less than 10 years of service leaves a lump-sum refund of contributions and interest to the primary beneficiary; a vested member with 10 or more years leaves the beneficiary a choice between a monthly benefit for life (the Plan B Option 2 amount) and a lump-sum refund. Under ERSGA, if no beneficiary was designated, the pension payment goes to the estate.

Executor duties

Do not cash or deposit any member benefit check issued after the member's death — the beneficiary can be made to repay it. When the estate is the named beneficiary, ERSGA requires Letters Testamentary or of Administration and an estate Federal Tax ID number before it will pay the estate.

Contacts

ERSGA: 404-350-6300 (800-805-4609 outside metro Atlanta). TRS: 404-352-6500 or 800-352-0650. Both require a death certificate to process benefits.