State Public Pensions in Hawaii

State Public Pensions in Hawaii: key facts

Membership plans

Contributory, Noncontributory, and Hybrid members across the State, the City and County of Honolulu, and the counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai — including teachers, professors, police officers, firefighters, judiciary employees, judges, and elected officials.

Reporting a death

Call ERS at (808) 586-1735 with the deceased's full name, Social Security number, status, date of death, and a contact person.

Claim documents

An original death certificate plus the death-claim forms ERS sends to the beneficiary, including tax and direct-deposit forms.

Filing window

A beneficiary has three years to file for death benefits. ERS publishes 1-2 months to process a payment after a retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee dies, and 4-6 weeks after the death of an active or inactive member.

Payments to an estate

ERS states that any payment made to an estate rather than to a named beneficiary requires additional forms beyond the standard death-claim packet.

Health coverage and life insurance

ERS does not administer health or life insurance. A surviving spouse and dependent children may be entitled to family health coverage and life insurance through the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) at (808) 586-7390.

Governing law: Haw. Rev. Stat. Chapter 88; Haw. Admin. R. Title 6, Chapters 20-29 and 40

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Call ERS at (808) 586-1735 to report the death and provide the deceased's name, Social Security number, status, and date of death.
2. Wait for the letter ERS sends to the beneficiary explaining any death benefits payable and the required claim forms.
3. Submit an original death certificate and the completed death-claim, tax, and direct-deposit forms.
4. ERS processes any death payment within 1-2 months (retiree, beneficiary, or alternate payee) or 4-6 weeks (active or inactive member) after all required forms and documents are received.

Frequently asked questions