State Public Pensions in Oregon

Oregon PERS covers public employees, teachers, and state and local government workers through Tier One, Tier Two, and the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). Survivor and death benefits depend on the member's tier, whether the member was retired, and the beneficiary on file.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Oregon

oregon.gov/pers/mem/pages/when-a-member-dies.aspx→

Administering agency

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Phone888-320-7377

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

ORS 238.390(2)

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Oregon: key facts

Systems: Tier One and Tier Two (members hired before August 29, 2003) and the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) for members hired afterward.
Pre-retirement death: A Tier One/Tier Two beneficiary chooses among a single lump-sum payment of the member account balance plus any employer-matching death benefit, a lifetime monthly benefit, or a lump sum plus a lifetime monthly benefit funded by the employer match. An OPSRP pre-retirement death benefit is paid to the member's spouse or to any other person who is constitutionally required to be treated in the same manner as a spouse; if the monthly amount would be under $200, it is paid as a single lump sum.
Retiree death: The continuing benefit depends on the payment option the member elected at retirement.
No beneficiary on file: If PERS holds no valid Tier One/Tier Two beneficiary designation, ORS 238.390(2) sets the order: the member's surviving spouse (or a person constitutionally required to be treated the same as a spouse), then the surviving children in equal shares, then the member's estate.
Member services: 888-320-7377 (TTY 503-603-7766), 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A photocopy of the long-form death certificate is requested to process benefits.

Governing law: ORS 238.390(2)

When someone dies

Steps after a death in Oregon

4-step process for Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

View details →

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

oregon.gov

Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Oregon primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.

Public Pensions

Oregon

oregon.gov/pers/mem/pages/when-a-member-dies.aspx→

Administering agency

Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Phone888-320-7377

WebsiteVisit website →

Authority

ORS 238.390(2)

Verified Jul 2026

State Public Pensions in Oregon: key facts

Systems

Tier One and Tier Two (members hired before August 29, 2003) and the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) for members hired afterward.

Pre-retirement death

A Tier One/Tier Two beneficiary chooses among a single lump-sum payment of the member account balance plus any employer-matching death benefit, a lifetime monthly benefit, or a lump sum plus a lifetime monthly benefit funded by the employer match. An OPSRP pre-retirement death benefit is paid to the member's spouse or to any other person who is constitutionally required to be treated in the same manner as a spouse; if the monthly amount would be under $200, it is paid as a single lump sum.

Retiree death

The continuing benefit depends on the payment option the member elected at retirement.

No beneficiary on file

If PERS holds no valid Tier One/Tier Two beneficiary designation, ORS 238.390(2) sets the order: the member's surviving spouse (or a person constitutionally required to be treated the same as a spouse), then the surviving children in equal shares, then the member's estate.

Member services

888-320-7377 (TTY 503-603-7766), 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A photocopy of the long-form death certificate is requested to process benefits.

Governing law: ORS 238.390(2)