State Public Pensions in Tennessee: when someone dies
A 4-step process for Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) after a death in Tennessee.
OverviewWhen someone dies
Public Pensions
Tennessee
treasury.tn.gov/retirement/information-and-resources/tcrs-overview-and-self-service→Administering agency
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
Phone800-922-7772
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
Steps to take
- Identify whether the deceased was an active or retired TCRS member.
- 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.
- TCRS reviews the member's record to determine what survivor benefits, if any, are payable, and sends the named beneficiary a Claim Form.
- 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
Call a RetireReadyTN Survivor Benefits representative at 800-922-7772 or email Survivor.Benefits@tn.gov. TCRS is administered by the Department of Treasury. The death can also be reported on the Deceased Member Official Notification form (TR-0033), which asks for a photocopy of the death certificate. Reporting the death is the surviving family member's or beneficiary's responsibility.
It depends on the option the retiree 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 one of the four Joint and Survivor plans, a monthly benefit continues to the designated beneficiary.
It depends on the member's age, service, employment status, and who was named beneficiary. 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 and interest plus a matching employer amount — and a spouse named as beneficiary by a member with 10 years of service may receive a lifetime monthly annuity instead. A member who dies out of service may leave a single lump sum of accumulated contributions and interest.
Sources
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Tennessee primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Public Pensions
Tennessee
treasury.tn.gov/retirement/information-and-resources/tcrs-overview-and-self-service→Administering agency
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
Phone800-922-7772
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026