State Public Pensions in Minnesota
Minnesota public-employee pensions are run by three systems: MSRS for state employees, PERA for local government employees, and TRA for public educators. Survivor and death benefits depend on the system, whether the member was active or retired, and the payment option elected.
Administering agency
Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)
State Public Pensions in Minnesota: key facts
- Systems
- Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) for state employees; Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) for local government; Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) for public educators.
- Retiree death
- A surviving spouse or named survivor may receive a continuing monthly benefit based on the annuity option the member elected at retirement.
- Pre-retirement death
- A vested member's surviving spouse may elect a lifetime or term-certain annuity (for example, PERA offers term-certain options of 10, 15, or 20 years for a surviving spouse); otherwise accumulated contributions plus interest are paid as a lump sum to the named beneficiary or the estate.
- Contacts
- MSRS 651-284-7730 / 1-800-657-5757; PERA 1-800-652-9026; TRA 1-800-657-3669.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify which system the deceased belonged to — MSRS (state employees), PERA (local government), or TRA (educators).
- Report the death to that system as soon as possible so the member's pension payments stop. MSRS asks the person reporting to give the participant or retiree's name, address, Social Security number, date of birth, and date of death, plus their relationship to the deceased and contact information for the survivor or beneficiary; PERA asks for the same information less the Social Security number.
- Provide a certified copy of the death certificate with the application for benefits.
- Confirm the beneficiary or survivor on file and ask what survivor annuity, period-certain option, or lump-sum benefit is payable.
Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)
Phone: 651-284-7730
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Contact the system the person belonged to: MSRS at 651-284-7730 or 1-800-657-5757 for state employees, PERA at 1-800-652-9026 for local government employees, and TRA at 1-800-657-3669 for public educators. Each handles its own survivor and death-benefit claims.
The benefit that continues depends on the annuity option the retiree elected at retirement. A surviving spouse or named survivor may receive a continuing monthly benefit, often a percentage of the member's payment, or nothing if a single-life option was elected.
For a vested member, a surviving spouse may elect a lifetime or term-certain annuity from PERA (10, 15 or 20 years) or TRA (five, 10, 15 or 20 years). Otherwise the member's accumulated contributions plus interest are paid as a lump sum to the named beneficiary or, if none, to the estate. PERA forfeits the member's contributions and interest if it does not receive the pre-retirement paperwork within five years after the death.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Minnesota primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)