What to do when a FRS account holder dies
Report the death to FRS's Survivor Benefits at 1-866-446-9377
What happens to FRS pension benefits after the account holder dies depends on how each account was titled. Beneficiary-designated and trust-owned accounts transfer directly. Accounts in the deceased's name alone go through the estate, and the executor or administrator works with FRS's Survivor Benefits (1-850-907-6500) to claim the funds.
Death claim process
The death claim process at FRS works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Call the MyFRS Financial Guidance Line at 1-866-446-9377 (TRS 711): Option 3 for the Division of Retirement (Pension Plan) or Option 4 for Alight Solutions (Investment Plan)
- Pension Plan survivors can also call the Division of Retirement directly at 844-377-1888 or 850-907-6500
- Report it online through FRS Online, or in writing to Division of Retirement, P.O. Box 9000, Tallahassee, FL 32315-9000
- A retiree who elected Option 3 or Option 4 reports the death of the joint annuitant the same way
- Pension Plan forms: Division of Retirement, P.O. Box 9000, Tallahassee, FL 32315-9000, or fax 850-410-2010
- Investment Plan paperwork: FRS Investment Plan Administrator, P.O. Box 785027, Orlando, FL 32878-5027, or fax 1-888-310-5559
Required Documents
- Application of Beneficiary for Benefit Payment (FST-11g), for a refund of the member's accumulated contributionsThe beneficiary signs it in front of a notary.
- Application of Beneficiary for Monthly Retirement Benefits (FST-11b), where a surviving spouse or other joint annuitant elects a monthly benefit
- School acceptance letter, or Forms SRF-2, SRF-3 and SVF-2, for an unmarried dependent child over 18An acceptance letter from an accredited educational institution, or the Student Report Form (SRF-2), Authorization for Release of Information (SRF-3) and Affidavit Attesting to Eligibility (SVF-2).
- Copy of the power of attorney or guardianship papers, for anyone acting on a member's or beneficiary's behalf
- Birth certificate for every minor child, for an Investment Plan account with a minor beneficiaryA court order naming a guardian is also needed when the balance exceeds $15,000.
- Any further documents the plan asks for, once the death is reportedThe Division of Retirement or the Investment Plan Administrator explains what is needed.
Claims Contact
Website: Online portal →
Forms FRS issues5
- Application of Beneficiary for Benefit Payment (FST-11g)
Completed by the beneficiary. Sent by the institution on request. Must be notarized.1
- Application of Beneficiary for Monthly Retirement Benefits (FST-11b)
Completed by a surviving spouse or other joint annuitant. Sent by the institution on request.2
- Student Report Form (SRF-2)
Sent by the institution on request.2
- Authorization for Release of Information (SRF-3)
Sent by the institution on request.2
- Affidavit Attesting to Eligibility for Monthly Retirement Benefits (SVF-2)
Sent by the institution on request.2
What happens to each kind of account1
- Pension
The plan determines what is payable: a continuing monthly benefit under the retirement payment option or the in-line-of-duty rules, a refund of the member's employee contributions, the DROP accumulation, or the vested Investment Plan account balance.2
Which of these a survivor receives depends on the plan, whether the member died before or after retirement, whether the death was in the line of duty, and the payment option elected.2
Accounts handled elsewhere1
- Alight Solutions, FRS Investment Plan Administrator
FRS Investment Plan accounts (Option 4 on the MyFRS Financial Guidance Line)2
Phone: 1-866-446-9377
Fax: 1-888-310-5559
Mailing address: FRS Investment Plan Administrator, P.O. Box 785027, Orlando, FL 32878-5027
Help FRS offers survivors1
- FRS Survivor Financial Counseling
Free financial counseling through EY, reached on the MyFRS Financial Guidance Line.2
Who qualifies: Beneficiaries, for up to one year after the member's death.
What FRS's agreement and guidance say2
- How proceeds are paid
A joint annuitant who files a timely application can have the monthly benefit start the month after the death, or may choose a later start date.2
If the member's bank did not accept the direct deposit, or refused to cash the payment sent in the month of death, the estate is entitled to the retirement benefit issued at the end of that month.2
Benefits due for the month of death are paid to the estate. Benefits due after that month go to the designated beneficiary on file.3
FST-11g carries the rollover election: a surviving spouse can roll the taxable amount to a traditional IRA or another eligible employer plan, and any other beneficiary to an inherited IRA. The receiving institution's representative completes page 2.4
- Deposits after the death
Any retirement benefit issued in the member's name and dated after the month of death must be returned or repaid to the Division, so prompt notice of the death prevents an overpayment the estate has to unwind.2
Sources4
- 1.Rule 60S-4.008, F.A.C., Benefits Payable Upon Death
- 2.Survivor Benefits
- 3.Form FST-12
- 4.Application of Beneficiary for Benefit Payment (FST-11g)
FRS's Survivor Benefits can be reached by phone at 1-866-446-9377 and fax at 1-850-410-2010 for questions throughout the claims process.
Sources
Data sourced from FRS primary sources (15 pages reviewed). How we research.
FRS death claims support
Survivor Benefits (Division of Retirement)
Phone
Toll-free
Division of Retirement (Pension Plan survivors)
Alight Solutions, Investment Plan Administrator
Investment Plan Administrator fax
TRS relay
Fax
Hours
Mailing address
Website
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