State Public Pensions in Tennessee

State Public Pensions in Tennessee: key facts

System

Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), the state defined benefit plan within RetireReadyTN, covering state employees, teachers, and participating local government workers.

Retiree death

What continues depends on the option the member elected at retirement. Under a Single Life Annuity option the monthly benefit ceases at death, and any remaining balance of the member's accumulated contributions and interest is paid to the beneficiary in a lump sum. Under a Joint and Survivor plan, a monthly benefit continues to the designated beneficiary.

Pre-retirement death

A contributory member who dies in service (within 150 days of the last paid day of work) may leave a double lump sum — accumulated contributions with interest plus a matching employer amount — and, with 10 years of service, a spouse named as beneficiary may instead receive a lifetime monthly annuity. A member who dies out of service may leave a single lump sum of accumulated contributions and interest.

Member services

800-922-7772 or tcrs.member-services@tn.gov; survivor benefits at 800-922-7772 or Survivor.Benefits@tn.gov; account access through RetireReadyTN and MyTCRS.com.

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Identify whether the deceased was an active or retired TCRS member.
2. Report the death to a RetireReadyTN Survivor Benefits representative at 800-922-7772 or Survivor.Benefits@tn.gov, or submit the Deceased Member Official Notification form (TR-0033) with a photocopy of the death certificate. Reporting the death is the survivor's or beneficiary's responsibility.
3. TCRS reviews the member's record to determine what survivor benefits, if any, are payable, and sends the named beneficiary a Claim Form.
4. Return the Claim Form with a copy of the death certificate. If the beneficiary has died or the member designated the estate, the executor or administrator also submits a certified copy of the appointment.

Frequently asked questions