State Public Pensions in Nevada

State Public Pensions in Nevada: key facts

System

Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS / NVPERS), the statewide defined-benefit plan for public employees.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the option elected at retirement — there are eight. 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%; 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 (7 not payable until the beneficiary is 60); Option 8 continues a benefit to the primary beneficiary for six months.

Pre-retirement death

Eligible survivors 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. 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. With 2+ years of service credit, the spouse or registered domestic partner (or survivor beneficiary) receives at least $450 per month and each child $400 per month (NRS 286.673; NRS 286.674).

Dependent child benefit

$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), continue to age 23 for a full-time student at an accredited high school, vocational/technical school, college or university, and may continue indefinitely for a child the System finds financially dependent and physically or mentally incompetent.

Member services

Toll-free 1-866-473-7768; Carson City office (775) 687-4200; Las Vegas office (702) 486-3900; nvpers.org.

Governing law: NRS 286.671 to 286.679 (survivor benefits); NRS 286.673; NRS 286.674