State Public Pensions in New Hampshire

State Public Pensions in New Hampshire: key facts

System

New Hampshire Retirement System (NHRS), covering state and local public employees, teachers, police, and fire (Group I and Group II), governed by RSA 100-A.

Pre-retirement death

A beneficiary receives a refund of the member's accumulated contributions, and may be eligible for an ordinary or accidental death benefit depending on service and whether the death was job-related.

Survivorship pre-selection

An eligible member can pre-select a maximum Survivorship Option so a beneficiary receives a lifetime pension if the member dies before applying for retirement.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the option the retiree elected. Under the Maximum Retirement Allowance or Option 1, the beneficiary receives a lump sum equal to the retiree's accumulated contributions at retirement minus the annuity payments already received. Under a Survivorship Option (2, 3, or 4), the primary beneficiary receives a lifetime pension. A monthly survivor annuity can be paid only to an individual; only lump-sum benefits may be made payable to a trust.

Group II spousal allowance

On the death of a Group II (police and fire) retiree who was married on the effective date of retirement, the surviving spouse is eligible for a lifetime pension equal to 50% of the retiree's pension, continuing until that spouse dies or remarries (RSA 100-A:12, II). This is automatic — it does not depend on the payment option elected.

Governing law: RSA 100-A (RSA 100-A:12; RSA 100-A:13)