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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Massachusetts→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in Massachusetts: when someone dies

A 4-step process for Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) and Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS) after a death in Massachusetts.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Massachusetts

mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-state-retirement-board→

Administering agency

Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) and Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS)

Phone617-367-9333
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026

Steps to take

  1. Identify whether the deceased was a member of MSRB (state employee) or MTRS (educator).
  2. Report the death so the member's pension payments stop.
  3. Confirm the beneficiary designation and the retirement allowance option (A, B, or C) on file.
  4. File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents the board requires.

Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) and Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS)

Phone: 617-367-9333

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact the Massachusetts State Retirement Board for a state employee (Survivor Benefits Direct Line, 617-367-9333 ext. 851) or the Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System for a public educator. The board confirms the beneficiary and the allowance option and handles the survivor claim.

It depends on the option the retiree elected. Option A pays nothing after death; Option B pays the beneficiary the remaining balance of the member's accumulated deductions; Option C is a joint and last-survivor option that pays the designated beneficiary a lifetime monthly allowance equal to two-thirds of the member's allowance.

A survivor allowance or a return of the member's accumulated deductions may be payable to the designated beneficiary when an active member dies before retirement, depending on the member's service and the beneficiary designation on file.

Public Pensions

Massachusetts

mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-state-retirement-board→

Administering agency

Massachusetts State Retirement Board (MSRB) and Massachusetts Teachers' Retirement System (MTRS)

Phone617-367-9333
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026