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Home→Agencies→Public Pensions→Texas→When someone dies

State Public Pensions in Texas: when someone dies

A 4-step process for Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) after a death in Texas.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Texas

ers.texas.gov→

Administering agency

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

Phone877-275-4377
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. Identify whether the deceased was a member of ERS or TRS.
  2. Report the death to the correct system as soon as possible — ERS at 877-275-4377 or TRS at 1-800-223-8778. 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.

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

Phone: 877-275-4377

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) at 877-275-4377 for a state agency employee, or the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) at 1-800-223-8778 for a public educator. Each system mails a personalized packet of forms and instructions to the named beneficiary or the estate, and each requires a death certificate before it can pay any benefit.

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

Under ERS, beneficiaries or the estate of an active state employee 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 mails its own benefit information and forms once it is notified of a member's death.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • ers.texas.gov
  • trs.texas.gov

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

Public Pensions

Texas

ers.texas.gov→

Administering agency

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) and Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

Phone877-275-4377
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
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