State Public Pensions in Maryland
The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System pays retirement and survivor benefits to state employees, teachers, and many local government workers. What a survivor receives depends on whether the member was active or retired and the payment option the retiree elected.
Steps to take when someone dies
Required Documents
- Official copy of the death certificate: with Form 32 for an active member's death benefit
State Public Pensions in Maryland: key facts
What Maryland says5
- Reporting a death
The Maryland State Retirement Agency asks to be contacted soon after the death of a member, a retiree, or a retiree's beneficiary, and it handles survivor and death-benefit claims.1
A death can be reported to the agency by phone, by mail, or through secure messaging on mySRPS.1
- Death after retirement
When a retiree dies, the Retirement Agency informs the beneficiaries on file if any future benefits are due. Survivor benefits are paid according to the payment option the retiree selected at retirement.1
Depending on the option the retiree elected, a beneficiary may receive a continuing monthly allowance, a lump sum, or nothing if a single-life option was elected.1
- Death before retirement
Under section 29-202, when an active member dies the Board of Trustees pays the member's accumulated contributions, plus an amount equal to the member's annual earnable compensation at death if the member died in the course of performance of duty or had at least 1 year of eligibility service.2
Under section 29-202, members of certain systems instead receive a special death benefit under sections 29-203 to 29-204.2.2
- Documents to claim
For an active member's death benefit, the agency sends the beneficiaries Form 32 (Notification and Claim of Beneficiary). Form 32 must be notarized and accompanied by an official copy of the death certificate.1
The employer separately files Form 28 (Request for Certification of Salary) for a member who dies while active on payroll.1
- Who receives the benefit
Under section 29-202, if the member named no designated beneficiary, the death benefit is paid to the member's estate.2
Under section 29-207, the same applies to the accumulated contributions of a former member who dies before their vested allowance starts, or before withdrawing their contributions.3
When the death benefit is paid to the estate, the estate's personal representative claims it, and it becomes a probate asset like any other payment owed to the deceased.1
Governing law: Md. Code, State Personnel & Pensions 29-201 to 29-207
Deadlines1
- Contact the Maryland State Retirement Agency
Soon after after the death of a member, a retiree, or a retiree's beneficiary1
Forms Maryland uses2
- Form 32: Notification and Claim of Beneficiary
The designated beneficiary claims an active member's death benefit; it must be notarized and returned with an official copy of the death certificate.1
- Form 28: Request for Certification of Salary
The employer certifies the salary of a member who dies while active on payroll.1
Retirement systems1
- Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS)
State employees, teachers, and many local government workers4
Phone: 1-410-625-5555
Toll-free: 1-800-492-5909
Mailing address: 120 East Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Maryland public pension benefits
Maryland State Retirement and Pension System (SRPS)
Phone
Toll-free
Mailing address
Website
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Maryland
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Maryland: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Maryland: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysET §§ 7-201, 7-202, 7-203Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 6 monthsMd. Code, Est. & Trusts §§ 7-103, 7-103.1, 8-103, 8-104, 8-105, 8-107Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Maryland does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 4-105; § 14.5-604; § 17-112Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Maryland, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 3-103Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, and an heir must survive the decedent by 720 hoursMd. Code, Est. & Trusts § 3-110(a)Verified Sep 10, 2026View source to inherit.
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