A 4-step process for Utah Retirement Systems (URS) after a death in Utah.
Administering agency
Utah Retirement Systems (URS)
Authority
Utah Code Title 49 (Utah State Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act); death benefits at 49-22-501 (Tier 2 public employees)
Contact the Utah Retirement Systems Retirement Benefits Department at 801-366-7770 (or 800-695-4877 toll free). URS administers the pension and savings plans for Utah state, school district, and local government employees and handles survivor and death-benefit claims.
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. 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.
Yes. URS provides a death benefit for a member who dies before retirement; the settlement is determined by the member's service record and status and by the law governing their system. For Tier 2 public employees, the benefit is a lump sum consisting of the return of member contributions plus a percentage of the member's final average salary set by the board (Utah Code 49-22-501). Employers are directed to notify the URS Retirement Benefits Department immediately at 801-366-7770 or 800-695-4877, and URS then contacts the beneficiaries to complete the necessary forms.
Data sourced from State Public Pensions in Utah primary sources (5 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Utah Retirement Systems (URS)
Authority
Utah Code Title 49 (Utah State Retirement and Insurance Benefit Act); death benefits at 49-22-501 (Tier 2 public employees)