State Public Pensions in Texas

State Public Pensions in Texas: key facts

Systems

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) for state employees; Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) for public-school and many higher-education employees.

ERS retiree death

What is paid depends on the annuity option the retiree elected. Standard Annuity: any balance remaining in the ERS retirement account. Options 1, 2, or 5: a monthly annuity to the beneficiary for life. Option 3 or 4: the remainder of 60 or 120 monthly payments. Beneficiaries may also receive a one-time $2,500 Basic Term Life Insurance payment if the retiree was enrolled in Group Benefits Program health insurance at death.

ERS active-employee death

Beneficiaries or the estate may receive the contributions in the member's State of Texas Retirement account, a one-time $5,000 Basic Term Life Insurance payment if the member was enrolled in Group Benefits Program health insurance at death, any Optional Term Life coverage, and Death Benefit Plan or Occupational Death Benefit payments where applicable.

TRS claim timing

TRS mails benefit information and forms to the beneficiary after it is notified of the death. TRS states that beneficiaries should complete and file the claim forms and related documents before the first anniversary of the member's death to avoid adverse tax consequences.

Local-government members

City employees are generally covered by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) and county and district employees by the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) — separate statewide systems that ERS and TRS do not administer. Report a death to TMRS at 1-800-924-8677 or to TCDRS at 800-823-7782; each system then contacts the beneficiary with the benefit options and claim forms.

Contacts

ERS: 877-275-4377. TRS: 1-800-223-8778. TMRS: 1-800-924-8677. TCDRS: 800-823-7782.

Steps to take when someone dies

1. Identify which system covered the deceased: ERS for a state agency employee, TRS for a public educator, TMRS for a city employee, or TCDRS for a county or district employee.
2. Report the death to the correct system as soon as possible — ERS at 877-275-4377, TRS at 1-800-223-8778, TMRS at 1-800-924-8677, or TCDRS at 800-823-7782. Prompt notice keeps an annuitant from being overpaid, which the beneficiary would otherwise have to repay.
3. Wait for the personalized packet the system mails to the named beneficiary or the estate; it carries the instructions, forms, and the request for a death certificate.
4. Return the completed forms with a copy of the death certificate, which each system requires before it can pay any benefit. TRS beneficiaries should file before the first anniversary of the death to avoid adverse tax consequences.

Frequently asked questions