State Public Pensions in Kentucky

State Public Pensions in Kentucky: key facts

Systems (KPPA)

Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS), County Employees Retirement System (CERS), and State Police Retirement System (SPRS).

Educators

Teachers' Retirement System of Kentucky (TRS) covers public school and university educators; contact TRS at 800-618-1687 (trs.ky.gov).

KPPA retiree death benefit

A $5,000 death benefit is paid to the beneficiary the retiree designated specifically for it (Form 6030) when a retiree receiving a monthly benefit had at least 48 months of service credit. Members with multiple accounts get only one death benefit. The estate's representative must supply a death certificate listing the manner of death and court documents naming the representative.

Survivor benefit

If a retiree elected a survivorship option, the named beneficiary receives a monthly benefit beginning the month after the death. If a member dies before retiring, a monthly benefit is available only where the member was eligible for normal or early retirement at death, was working with at least 60 months of service credit, or had at least 144 months of service credit. An eligible individual beneficiary may choose a lifetime monthly benefit, a lump sum actuarial refund, or a monthly payment for 5 or 10 years; otherwise the beneficiary receives a lump sum of the member's contributions and interest. An estate may take only a lump sum or actuarial refund.

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Identify the system: KERS, CERS, or SPRS through KPPA, or TRS for educators.
2. Report the death to the system so the member's pension payments stop — KPPA at 502-696-8800 or 1-800-928-4646; TRS at 800-618-1687.
3. Provide the member's name, identification or Social Security number, and date of death.
4. Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and file the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents the system requires.

Frequently asked questions