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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→South Dakota→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in South Dakota: when someone dies

A 5-step process for South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS) after a death in South Dakota.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

South Dakota

sd.gov/sdrs→

Administering agency

South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS)

Phone605-773-3731
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. Confirm the deceased was an SDRS member, whether they were retired or still actively employed, and whether they were a Foundation member (joined before July 1, 2017) or a Generational member.
  2. Report the death to SDRS at 605-773-3731 so the member's pension payments stop.
  3. For a Generational retiree, confirm which benefit option the member elected at retirement — single-life, 60 percent Joint & Survivor, or 100 percent Joint & Survivor — since that election determines whether a spouse benefit is payable at all.
  4. Confirm the beneficiary designation on file and ask SDRS what surviving spouse, family, or remaining-contribution benefit is payable.
  5. File the survivor or death-benefit claim with the documents SDRS requires.

South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS)

Phone: 605-773-3731

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact the South Dakota Retirement System at 605-773-3731. SDRS covers participating state and local government and school employees and handles survivor and death-benefit claims.

It depends on when the member joined SDRS. If the member joined before July 1, 2017 (a Foundation member), an eligible surviving spouse automatically receives a lifetime benefit equal to 60 percent of the benefit being paid to the member at the time of death, with annual cost-of-living adjustments. If the member joined on or after July 1, 2017 (a Generational member), the retirement benefit is a single-life benefit and stops at death unless the member elected a 60 percent or 100 percent Joint & Survivor benefit at retirement. In both cases the spouse must have been married to the member before the retirement date and for at least 12 months before the member's death.

If the member (and the spouse, where a spouse benefit applies) dies before the member's accumulated contributions have been paid out, the named beneficiary or beneficiaries — or the estate — receive any remaining balance.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • sd.gov

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

Public Pensions

South Dakota

sd.gov/sdrs→

Administering agency

South Dakota Retirement System (SDRS)

Phone605-773-3731
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
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