State Public Pensions in Utah
Utah Retirement Systems (URS) runs the defined-benefit pension and savings plans for Utah state, school district, and local government employees, including Tier 1 (hired before July 1, 2011) and Tier 2 (hired on or after that date) systems. Survivor and death benefits depend on whether the member was active or retired, the system tier, and the payment option elected.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in Utah: key facts
What Utah says4
- Reporting a death
URS directs employers to notify its Retirement Benefits Department immediately when a member dies, and URS then contacts the beneficiaries to complete the necessary forms.1
The URS Retirement Benefits Department handles death benefits, as well as pension estimates, applications for retirement, refunds, and redeposits and purchases.2
- Death after retirement
For Public Employees Retirement and Tier 2 Public Safety and Firefighters, payment at the time of death is based on the option the member selected at retirement.1
Under Tier 1 Public Safety and Judges Retirement, 65% of the member's monthly benefit is payable to the spouse, or 75% if the member elected a smaller monthly benefit at retirement. Under the Tier 1 Firefighters Retirement System, 75% is payable to the spouse.1
- Death before retirement
URS provides a death benefit for a member who dies before retirement. The settlement paid to the beneficiaries is determined by the member's service record and status and by the law governing their system.1
For Tier 2 public employees, Utah Code 49-22-501(4) makes the death benefit a lump sum consisting of the return of member contributions plus a percentage of the member's final average salary set by the board.3
- Health coverage and life insurance
Life insurance, where applicable, is paid to the beneficiary on file at the time of death.1
Governing law: Utah Code Title 49 (Utah State Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act); death benefits at 49-22-501 (Tier 2 public employees)
Retirement systems3
- Tier 1 retirement systems
Members hired before July 1, 2011; six systems, including Non-Contributory, Public Safety, Firefighters, and Judges4
- Tier 2 retirement systems
Members hired on or after July 1, 2011, with a hybrid pension option and a 401(k) option4
- URS savings plans: 401(k), 457, traditional IRA and Roth IRA
Utah public pension benefits
Utah Retirement Systems (URS)
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in Utah
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in Utah: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in Utah: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysUtah Code §§ 75-3-705, 75-3-706, 75-3-707Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 3 monthsUtah Code §§ 75-3-801, 75-3-803, 75-3-805, 75-3-806Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 4 months to 6 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
Utah automatically revokes an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceUtah Code § 75-2-804Verified Sep 15, 2026View source; employer plans under ERISA follow federal rules either way, so a 401(k) beneficiary changes only by a new designation.
Who Inherits Without a Will?
Without a will in Utah, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateUtah Code § 75-2-102Verified Sep 10, 2026View source when every child of either spouse is a child of both, and descendants divide what passes to them per capita at each generationUtah Code § 75-2-106Verified Sep 10, 2026View source.
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