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

State Public Pensions in Wisconsin: when someone dies

A 5-step process for Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) — Wisconsin Retirement System after a death in Wisconsin.

OverviewWhen someone dies

Public Pensions

Wisconsin

etf.wi.gov/retirement/wrs-retirement-benefit/death-benefits→

Administering agency

Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) — Wisconsin Retirement System

Phone1-877-533-5020
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026

Steps to take

  1. Identify whether the deceased was a member or annuitant of the Wisconsin Retirement System.
  2. Call ETF at 1-877-533-5020 to report the death. ETF asks for:
    • The deceased's full name, address, birth date, and date of death
    • The deceased's ETF Member ID or Social Security number
    • The caller's relationship to the deceased
    • A primary contact's name, address, phone number, and relationship to the deceased
  3. Leave the deceased member's bank account open until ETF recovers any electronic payments issued after the date of death.
  4. ETF determines what benefit is payable and locates the beneficiaries on the ET-2320 designation (or, with none on file, under the Statutory Standard Sequence), then requests a certified copy of the death certificate that lists cause of death, along with the beneficiary's application.
  5. Check the member's other coverages: group life insurance, continuation of group health insurance, and any Wisconsin Deferred Compensation account (1-877-457-9327).

Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) — Wisconsin Retirement System

Phone: 1-877-533-5020

Visit the agency website →

Frequently asked questions

Contact the Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) at 1-877-533-5020. ETF administers the Wisconsin Retirement System and handles death and survivor benefits. Have the deceased's full name, birth date, date of death, and ETF Member ID or Social Security number ready.

It depends on the annuity option the member elected at retirement. A beneficiary may receive the remaining payments in a guarantee period, or a named survivor may receive a lifetime monthly benefit. Some options pay no death benefit at all.

Yes. An active employee's beneficiary receives the total account value — employee-required and employer-required contributions, any employee additional contributions, and accumulated interest. An inactive employee's beneficiary receives a partial account value that excludes the employer-required contributions. From age 55 (50 with protective category service), the benefit is the higher of the money purchase or special death benefit calculation. Benefits go to the beneficiary on the most recent ET-2320 form, or, if none is on file, under the Wisconsin Statutory Standard Sequence.

SimplyTrustSimplyTrust Editorial·Updated July 14, 2026

Sources

  • etf.wi.gov

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

Public Pensions

Wisconsin

etf.wi.gov/retirement/wrs-retirement-benefit/death-benefits→

Administering agency

Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) — Wisconsin Retirement System

Phone1-877-533-5020
WebsiteVisit website →
Verified Jul 2026
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