State Public Pensions in Montana
Two systems cover most Montana public retirees. MPERA runs the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) and several public-safety systems; the separate Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) covers educators. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired and the retirement option they elected.
Administering agency
Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) and Montana Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
State Public Pensions in Montana: key facts
- Systems
- MPERA administers PERS plus public-safety systems (Sheriffs', Game Wardens' and Peace Officers', Judges', Municipal Police, Firefighters' Unified, and Highway Patrol). TRS covers public-school and university educators.
- Retiree death
- For PERS, Sheriffs', Game Wardens' and Peace Officers', and Judges' retirees, the option the retiree selected determines what payment, if any, continues and to whom. Municipal Police, Firefighters' Unified, and Highway Patrol provide for spouses or dependent children according to state statute.
- Pre-retirement death
- A death benefit or survivor allowance may be payable to the designated beneficiary, or to a spouse or dependent children under statute, depending on the system.
- Pop-up provision
- If an MPERA retiree elected Option 2 or 3 and the named beneficiary dies first, the retiree has 18 months from the beneficiary's death to notify MPERA in writing — with a copy of the death certificate — to pop up to the higher Option 1 benefit or have the benefit recalculated for a new person. TRS has a parallel 18-month window to name a new joint annuitant.
- Contacts
- MPERA 1-877-275-7372 (Helena 406-444-3154); TRS 1-866-600-4045 (Helena 406-444-3134).
Steps to take when someone dies
- Identify whether the deceased was a member of an MPERA system (PERS and others) or of the Teachers' Retirement System.
- Report the death to the correct system with a certified copy of the death certificate so pension payments stop.
- Have ready what MPERA asks a point of contact to provide:
- The point of contact's name, address, and phone number
- Whether the point of contact is next of kin, a personal representative, or an employer
- The member's date of death
- Whether the member was inactive, active, or a retiree
- A copy of the death certificate
- Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask what survivor or death benefit is payable.
- Return the death-benefit claim the system sends to the designated beneficiary with the documents it requires.
Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) and Montana Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
Phone: 1-877-275-7372
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
Contact MPERA at 1-877-275-7372 for a PERS member or other MPERA-administered system, or the Teachers' Retirement System at 1-866-600-4045 for an educator. Provide a certified copy of the death certificate and the deceased's member and employment details.
The benefit that continues depends on the payment option the retiree elected at retirement. A surviving beneficiary may receive a continuing monthly allowance, a lump sum, or nothing if the retiree elected a maximum single-life (period-certain or normal) option with no survivor.
A death benefit or survivor allowance may be payable to the designated beneficiary when an active member dies before retirement. Depending on the system, a spouse or dependent children may receive benefits under state statute. The system determines the amount based on service and the member's elections.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Montana primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration (MPERA) and Montana Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)