West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board (CPRB)
West Virginia · Public Pensions
wvretirement.comState Public Pensions in West Virginia
The West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board administers the retirement plans for state employees, public school teachers and service personnel, state troopers, judges, and emergency responders. Survivor and death benefits depend on the plan, whether the member was active or retired, and the payment option the retiree elected.
Steps to take when someone dies
State Public Pensions in West Virginia: key facts
What West Virginia says3
- Reporting a death
When a West Virginia public employee or teacher dies, contact CPRB. It administers PERS, TRS, and the other state retirement plans and handles survivor and death-benefit claims.1
CPRB staffs a dedicated Deaths and Refunds unit, with a Death Claims and Refunds Manager and Member/Retiree Death Claims desks.2
- Death after retirement
The continuing benefit depends on the annuity option the member elected at retirement. Under PERS, Straight Life pays no beneficiary benefits, 100% Joint and Survivor pays the named beneficiary the same monthly amount for life, and 50% Joint and Survivor pays the beneficiary half.3
Under all PERS options, any unpaid employee contributions plus 4% interest remaining at death are paid to the named beneficiary or the estate.3
- Death before retirement
A death benefit or survivor annuity may be payable to the designated beneficiary or qualifying survivor.3
Under PERS the option turns on the member's date of hire, years of credited service, and marital status at death, ranging from a lump sum of employee contributions plus 4% interest to a 100% Joint and Survivor annuity for a surviving spouse.3
Retirement systems10
- Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Tier I and Tier II
- Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), Tier I and Tier II
- Teachers' Defined Contribution Retirement System (TDC)
- State Trooper Plan A
- State Trooper Plan B
- Judges' Retirement System (JRS)
- Deputy Sheriff Retirement System (DSRS)
- Emergency Medical Services Retirement System (EMSRS)
- Municipal Police Officer and Firefighter Retirement System (MPFRS)
- Natural Resources Police Officer Retirement System (NRPORS)
Not in West Virginia's published guidance1
- The documents to send
West Virginia public pension benefits
West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board (CPRB)
Phone
Main line
Death Claims and Refunds Manager
Member/Retiree Death Claims
Member/Retiree Death Claims
Member/Retiree Death Claims
Office
Website
Tools for Planning and Settling an Estate in West Virginia
Free calculators and checklists for planning or settling an estate in West Virginia: will and trust costs, probate, executor pay, and inheritance taxes.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in West Virginia: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 90 daysW. Va. Code § 44-1-14Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 2 monthsW. Va. Code §§ 44-1-14a, 44-2-4, 44-2-21, 44-2-26Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.
Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?
West Virginia does not revoke an ex-spouse as beneficiary at divorceW. Va. Code § 41-1-6Verified 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 West Virginia, a surviving spouse takes the entire estateW.Va. Code § 42-1-3Verified 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 generationW.Va. Code § 42-1-3dVerified Sep 10, 2026View source.
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