State Public Pensions in Massachusetts

State Public Pensions in Massachusetts: key facts

Systems

Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) for state employees; Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS) for public educators.

Retiree death

The continuing benefit depends on the option elected: Option A pays nothing to survivors; Option B pays the remaining balance of the member's accumulated deductions to the beneficiary; Option C, the joint and last survivor allowance, pays a designated beneficiary a lifetime monthly allowance equal to two-thirds of the allowance being paid to the member at the time of death.

Pre-retirement death (Option D)

If a member dies in active service, the beneficiary may take either a lump-sum distribution of the member's accumulated deductions, or the Option D member-survivor allowance under M.G.L. c. 32 § 12(2): a lifetime monthly allowance equal to the full Option C allowance the member would have received had they retired on the date of death. A beneficiary who is not the member's spouse qualifies only where an Option D form naming them was on file before the date of death; a surviving spouse may elect the allowance without one where the member had at least two years of creditable service and the marriage had lasted at least a year. A spouse's election must be filed with the board within 90 days of the board mailing notice of the right of election. If the member died before 55, the allowance is calculated as if they were 55 — or as if 60, for a Group 1 member who joined on or after April 2, 2012.

Survivor Benefits contact (MSRB)

To report a death: 617-367-9333 ext. 851, or survivorbenefits@tre.state.ma.us. MSRB main line: 617-367-7770.

What MSRB needs to report a death

A copy of the death certificate (scanned as a PDF if emailed — the Board cannot accept photo files); the full name of the benefit recipient, Option C beneficiary, or active member; Social Security number or MSRB ID if known; date of death; and a contact name, mailing address, and phone number.

Governing law: M.G.L. c. 32, s. 12(2) (Option D member-survivor allowance)

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Identify whether the deceased was a member of MSRB (state employee) or MTRS (educator).
2. Report the death to the retirement board so the member's pension payments stop — MSRB takes a death report by mail, by email to survivorbenefits@tre.state.ma.us, or by phone at 617-367-9333 ext. 851.
3. Send the death certificate and the required identifying information (full name, Social Security or MSRB ID number, date of death, and a contact name, address, and phone number).
4. Confirm the beneficiary designation and the retirement allowance option (A, B, or C) on file — or, for a member who died in active service, whether an Option D form was on file.
5. Note that health, dental, and life insurance are administered separately by the Group Insurance Commission (617-727-2310 ext. 2), which must be notified of the death directly.

Frequently asked questions