State Public Pensions in Nevada
The Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) covers state and local government workers, teachers, and public-safety employees. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member died before or after retirement and, for retirees, the payment option the member elected.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in Nevada: key facts
What Nevada says3
- Death after retirement
What continues after a retiree's death depends on which of eight options the member elected at retirement. Option 1 (Unmodified Allowance) pays the full allowance for the member's lifetime with no beneficiary payment; Option 2 continues the same benefit to the beneficiary for life; Option 3 continues 50%.1
Options 4 and 5 mirror 2 and 3 but are not payable to a beneficiary before age 60. Options 6 and 7 pay a designated amount the member chose at retirement (7 not payable until the beneficiary is 60), and Option 8 continues a benefit to the primary beneficiary for six months.1
- Who receives the benefit
Eligible survivors of a member who dies before retirement are the spouse or registered domestic partner, the named survivor beneficiary and additional payees, dependent children under 18, and dependent parents if there are no other eligible survivors.1
- Death before retirement
A survivor benefit is payable if the member had 2 years of service in the 2.5 years preceding death, had more than 10 years of accredited service, died from an occupational disease or work accident, or was killed in the line of duty.1
With 2 or more years of service credit, the spouse or registered domestic partner (or survivor beneficiary) receives at least $450 per month under NRS 286.674.2
Under NRS 286.673, each dependent child receives $400 per month, beginning the first day of the month after the member's death. Payments cease at 18, or earlier on the child's death or marriage.2
A child's payments continue to age 23 for a full-time, unmarried student at an accredited high school, vocational or technical school, college or university, and may continue indefinitely for a child the System finds financially dependent and physically or mentally incompetent.1
Governing law: NRS 286.671 to 286.679 (survivor benefits); NRS 286.673; NRS 286.674
Retirement systems1
- Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS / NVPERS)
The statewide defined-benefit plan for public employees: state and local government workers, teachers, and public-safety employees3, 1
Phone: 1-866-473-7768
Nevada public pension benefits
Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Phone
Carson City office
Las Vegas office
Website
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Nevada
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Nevada: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Nevada: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 120 daysNRS 144.010, NRS 144.090Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsNRS 147.040, NRS 147.070, NRS 147.130, NRS 147.195, NRS 155.020Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Nevada automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceNRS 133.115; NRS 111.781Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Nevada is a community property state, so the surviving spouse already owns half of what the couple acquired during the marriage. Without a will in Nevada, descendants divide what passes to them per stirpesNRS § 134.040, NRS § 132.290Verified Sep 10, 2026View source, and the state sets no survival period for heirs.
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