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

State Public Pensions in Minnesota: when someone dies

A 4-step process for Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) after a death in Minnesota.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Minnesota

mnretire.gov→

Administering agency

Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)

Phone651-284-7730
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026

Steps to take

  1. Identify which system the deceased belonged to — MSRS (state employees), PERA (local government), or TRA (educators).
  2. Report the death to that system as soon as possible so the member's pension payments stop; have the member's Social Security or member number ready.
  3. Provide a certified copy of the death certificate with the application for benefits.
  4. 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 period-certain annuity from PERA or TRA. 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 and TRA set deadlines for filing pre-retirement survivor paperwork.

Public Pensions

Minnesota

mnretire.gov→

Administering agency

Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS), Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA), and Teachers Retirement Association (TRA)

Phone651-284-7730
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified May 2026