IMRF Death Benefits: Regular Tier 1 Plan

The information on this page applies to participants of IMRF’s Regular Plan Tier 1 only.

Table of contents:

• Factors determining death benefit amount
• Death is job-related
• Death is not job-related
• Surviving spouse death benefits

Factors determining a death benefit amount

The amount payable as an IMRF death benefits is dependent upon the member's years of service credit and participation status. IMRF members do not contribute toward the cost of their IMRF death benefit. Such benefit is paid entirely by IMRF employers.

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Death is job-related

If you are currently participating in IMRF:

If you die while participating in the IMRF Regular Tier 1 plan, on seasonal leave or on IMRF Benefit Protection Leave and your death is job related, a lump sum death benefit is paid to your beneficiary(ies) regardless of your years of service credit. The lump sum is equal to one year's earnings plus any balance in your member account (member contributions plus interest less any benefit prepayments).

If you are currently participating in IMRF's Regular Tier 1 Plan and have:

• Less than one year of service credit, your member contributions (less any benefit prepayments) are refunded to your beneficiary(ies).
• More than one year of service credit, a lump sum death benefit is paid to your beneficiary(ies). The lump sum is equal to one year's earnings plus any balance in your member account* .
• Eight or more years of service credit (are vested), your eligible surviving spouse may choose a monthly surviving spouse pension plus a $3,000 payment, instead of a lump sum death benefit (one year's earnings plus any balance in your member account*).

If you are no longer participating in IMRF but have contributions on deposit, and you are:

• Younger than 55 years old or have less than 8 years of service credit, your member contributions (less any benefit prepayments) plus interest are paid to your beneficiary(ies).
• at least 55 years old with least 8 years of service credit, youreligible surviving spouse may choose a monthly surviving spouse pension plus a $3,000 payment, or a lump sum death benefit of member contributions plus interest (less any benefit prepayments).

* Your Member Account includes your member contributions plus interest, less any benefit prepayments

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For your spouse to be eligible for the monthly surviving spouse pension and $3,000 payment, the date of your marriage or civil union must be at least one year prior to your termination from IMRF-covered employment, or if you are an active IMRF participant, at least one year prior to your death, and you must have named your spouse as your sole primary beneficiary. There are special rules for members who divorce after retirement.

The amount of the surviving spouse benefit is always 50% of IMRF's Standard (straight life) plan, even if the member chose the Optional pension benefit planat retirement.

The surviving spouse pension includes the yearly 3% increase that would have been paid had the standard plan been chosen.

If the member retired under the IMRF Early Retirement Incentive (ERI), the amount of the surviving spouse benefit is 50% of the ERI enhanced pension the retired member was receiving at date of death, including 3% yearly increases.

If the surviving spouse is under age 60, IMRF will advise the spouse of the amounts payable to him or her under both the Standard (straight life) plan and under the Optional pension benefit.

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