State Public Pensions in Idaho
PERSI runs the retirement plan for Idaho state and local government employees, teachers, police, and firefighters. PERSI is not automatically notified of a death, so a representative of the estate must call; what is payable depends on whether the member died before or after retirement and which retirement option they elected.
Administering agency
Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)
Authority
Idaho Code 59-1361
State Public Pensions in Idaho: key facts
- System
- Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) — Base Plan plus the Choice 401(k) Plan. A single beneficiary designation applies to both accounts.
- Reporting a death
- PERSI is NOT automatically notified of a member's death. Call the PERSI Answer Center at 1-800-451-8228 or 208-334-3365. PERSI then reviews and finalizes the account and writes to the surviving spouse, estate representative, or estate.
- Death before retirement
- A non-vested member's beneficiary receives the member's contributions plus interest. A vested member's death benefit equals 200% of accumulated contributions (the "double death benefit"); if the spouse is the sole primary beneficiary, they may instead elect a lifetime monthly benefit calculated as an Option 1 retirement benefit.
- Death after retirement
- If the retiree elected a Contingent Annuitant Option, the contingent annuitant receives a monthly allowance for the rest of their life. If the retiree elected a Regular retirement option and a balance remains in the account, it is paid to the beneficiary as a lump sum.
- Overpayments
- Benefit overpayments — which arise from the timing of the death relative to notification — must be returned to PERSI.
- Member services
- PERSI Answer Center: 1-800-451-8228 or 208-334-3365. Choice 401(k) Plan beneficiary claims are handled by Empower's Beneficiary Support Service Team: 866-442-3888.
Governing law: Idaho Code 59-1361
Steps to take when someone dies
- Call the PERSI Answer Center at 1-800-451-8228 or 208-334-3365 to report the member's or retiree's death — PERSI is not notified automatically.
- PERSI reviews and finalizes the account, then sends correspondence to the surviving spouse, estate representative, or estate explaining the process, what further information PERSI needs, whether benefits are owed, and the status of any benefit overpayment.
- Return any benefit overpayment to PERSI.
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file — under Idaho Code 59-1361(4), if no beneficiary was designated or the beneficiary predeceased the member, the death benefit is paid to the surviving spouse, and if there is none, under Idaho's laws of descent and distribution.
- For a Choice 401(k) Plan balance, contact Empower's Beneficiary Support Service Team at 866-442-3888.
Frequently asked questions
Call the PERSI Answer Center at 1-800-451-8228 or 208-334-3365. PERSI is not automatically notified of a member's death, so a representative of the estate must report it to start the review of the account and any death benefit.
It depends on the option elected at retirement. If the retiree chose a Contingent Annuitant Option, the contingent annuitant receives a monthly allowance for the rest of their life. If the retiree chose a Regular retirement option and a balance remains in the account, it is paid to the beneficiary as a lump sum. Any benefit overpayment issued because of the timing of the death must be returned to PERSI.
A non-vested member's beneficiary receives the member's contributions plus interest. A vested member's death benefit equals 200% of accumulated contributions under Idaho Code 59-1361(3); if the spouse was the sole primary beneficiary, they may elect a lifetime monthly benefit instead, calculated as an Option 1 retirement benefit.
The full value of the Choice 401(k) account is available to the beneficiary. Empower is the plan's record keeper and handles Choice Plan death benefit claims; beneficiaries contact Empower's Beneficiary Support Service Team at 866-442-3888, separately from the PERSI Base Plan process.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Idaho primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)
Authority
Idaho Code 59-1361