Reporting a death to IMRF

We understand that dealing with any death is difficult, but at the same time it is important to take care of business matters such as contacting IMRFto notify them of the death of a member. There are certain steps to take when reporting a death to IMRF and beginning the process of applying for a surviving spouse pension or other death benefit.

The following is a brief explanation of the process for reporting a death to IMRF.

What you need to do:

• Telephone an IMRF Member Service Representative at 1-800-ASK-IMRF (1-800-275-4673) to report the death to IMRF. Please have the member’s name and Social Security number available when you call.
  
  
• The Member Service Representative will ask you several questions, including the date the member passed away, your identity, and whether there is a surviving spouse who might be entitled to a benefit.
  
  
• IMRF will mail a letter to the person handling the deceased member’s affairs. This letter lists the names of the beneficiary(ies) that the member specified and includes any benefit forms that should be filled out, such as IMRF Form 5.30, “Application for a Death Benefit.” This letter will also request a photocopy of the death certificate and copies of marriage and birth certificates for a surviving spouse.

Some facts to know about reporting a death to IMRF

• It is best to mail all forms and other materials together to IMRF. These forms might include a copy of the death certificate and copies of marriage and birth certificates. Please write the member’s name and Social Security number on all documents.This allows our staff to make sure all necessary documents have been received and enables claims to be processed promptly.
  
  
• We cannot give the names of any beneficiaries over the phone.
  
  
• IMRF may request that a pension payment be returned. If a member passes away during a given month, he or she is still entitled to that month’s pension payment.
  
  However, if the member dies near the end of a month and IMRF has already sent the following month’s pension payment, we will request that the payment be returned.
  
  For example, if a member dies on February 1, we will not request that the February benefit payment be returned. However, if the member dies on January 31, he or she may have received a February benefit payment. In this case, IMRF would request that the February benefit payment be returned.