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.
Administering agency
Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Authority
NRS 286.671 to 286.679 (survivor benefits); NRS 286.673; NRS 286.674
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
Steps to take when someone dies
- Report the death to PERS so the member's pension payments stop.
- Confirm whether the deceased was an active member or a retiree, and identify the survivor beneficiary or additional payees on file.
- For a retiree, confirm the payment option elected to determine what continuing benefit, if any, is payable.
- File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents PERS requires.
Frequently asked questions
Contact the Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) toll-free at 1-866-473-7768 or at the Carson City office, (775) 687-4200. PERS handles survivor and death-benefit claims for public employees, teachers, and public-safety members.
It depends on the payment option the retiree elected from the eight available. Option 1 (Unmodified Allowance) pays no beneficiary benefit. Option 2 continues the full benefit to the beneficiary for life and Option 3 continues 50%; Options 4 and 5 are the same as 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; Option 8 continues a benefit to the primary beneficiary for six months.
A monthly survivor benefit may be payable to a spouse or registered domestic partner, the named survivor beneficiary and additional payees, dependent children, and dependent parents if there are no other eligible survivors. The member must have had 2 years of service in the 2.5 years before death, more than 10 years of accredited service, or have died from an occupational disease or work accident or in the line of duty. With 2 or more years of service credit, the surviving spouse or registered domestic partner receives at least $450 per month, and each dependent child $400 per month until age 18, or 23 if a full-time, unmarried student.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Nevada primary sources (3 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada (PERS)
Authority
NRS 286.671 to 286.679 (survivor benefits); NRS 286.673; NRS 286.674