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

State Public Pensions in Virginia: when someone dies

A 5-step process for Virginia Retirement System (VRS) after a death in Virginia.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Virginia

varetire.org→

Administering agency

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Phone888-827-3847
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. If the deceased was still employed, contact the member's employer — the employer coordinates claims for the benefits due.
  2. If the deceased was retired, call Securian Financial at 800-441-2258, which can initiate all VRS benefit claims and forward the information to VRS.
  3. Gather the deceased's full name, Social Security number, and date of death, plus an original or certified copy of the death certificate.
  4. If the benefit is payable to the estate, obtain an original or certified letter of qualification from the Circuit Court; VRS also accepts trust documents or a guardianship appointment where the beneficiary is a trust or a minor child.
  5. Call VRS at 888-827-3847 with questions about the retirement or survivor benefit itself; call 877-327-5261 for a VRS Defined Contribution Plan account.

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Phone: 888-827-3847

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

It depends on whether the person was working or retired. If they died while employed, contact the member's employer — the employer coordinates the claims for benefits due. If they died while retired, call Securian Financial at 800-441-2258; as insurer for the VRS Group Life Insurance Program, Securian can initiate all VRS benefit claims. The VRS Customer Contact Center is 888-827-3847.

It depends on the payout option the retiree elected at retirement. The Basic Benefit does not continue a benefit to a survivor, though the named beneficiary may be eligible for a lump-sum payment of any funds remaining in the member contribution account. If the retiree elected the Survivor Option, they chose a whole percentage between 10% and 100% of their benefit to continue to the named survivor.

Yes. The death-in-service benefit is a lump-sum payment of the balance in the member contribution account, if any, to the named beneficiary. A beneficiary who is a spouse, minor child, or parent may elect monthly payments instead. Life insurance under the VRS Group Life Insurance Program and any VRS Defined Contribution Plan funds are separate benefits, claimed through the same process.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • varetire.org

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

Public Pensions

Virginia

varetire.org→

Administering agency

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Phone888-827-3847
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
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