State Public Pensions in Idaho

Reporting a death

PERSI is not automatically notified of a member's death. A representative of the estate reports it to the PERSI Answer Center.¹

PERSI then reviews and finalizes the account and writes to the surviving spouse, estate representative, or estate, explaining what further information it needs, whether benefits are owed, and the status of any benefit overpayment.¹

Death before retirement

When a non-vested member dies, PERSI pays the member's beneficiary the member's contributions plus interest.^{2, 3}

Under Idaho Code 59-1361(3), a vested member's death benefit equals 200% of accumulated contributions (the "double death benefit"). If the spouse is the sole primary beneficiary, the spouse may instead elect a lifetime monthly benefit calculated as an Option 1 retirement benefit.^{2, 3}

Death after retirement

If the retiree elected a Contingent Annuitant Option, the contingent annuitant receives a monthly allowance for the rest of their life.^{2, 3}

If the retiree elected a Regular retirement option and a balance remains in the account, PERSI pays it to the beneficiary as a lump sum.^{2, 3}

Who receives the benefit

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.³

A single beneficiary designation applies to both the PERSI Base Plan and the Choice 401(k) Plan.¹

The full value of the Choice 401(k) account is available to the beneficiary.¹

Payments after the date of death

Benefit overpayments, which arise from the timing of the death relative to notification, must be returned to PERSI.¹

Governing law: Idaho Code 59-1361

Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI)

Idaho state and local government employees, teachers, police, and firefighters; Base Plan plus the Choice 401(k) Plan⁴

Phone: 1-208-334-3365

Toll-free: 1-800-451-8228

Empower, Beneficiary Support Service Team

Choice 401(k) Plan death benefit claims, as the plan's record keeper¹

Phone: 1-866-442-3888

1. 1.Reporting a Death (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho)
2. 2.Death Benefit brochure (PERSI, November 2021)
3. 3.Idaho Code 59-1361
4. 4.Contact (Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho)