Lump Sum Death Benefit

Upon the death of a retired member, IMRF will pay a $3,000 employer death benefit to the primary beneficiary, or if no primary beneficiary survives, to the secondary beneficiary designated by the member.

Surviving spouse benefits

You were married or in a civil union for more than one year

A surviving spouse pension will be payable if you and your spouse were married or in a civil union for at least one year prior to the date you stopped participating in IMRF. If you have questions about your eligible spouse, see "Changes in Marital Status".

You were married or in a civil union for less than one year

If you and your spouse were married or in a civil union for less than one year prior to the date you stopped participating in IMRF, your surviving spouse will not receive a surviving spouse pension. Upon retirement, you were refunded your contributions designated for a surviving spouse pension. Instead, your designated beneficiary(ies) would receive any unpaid member contributions plus interest and the $3,000 death benefit.

If you do not have a valid Designation of Beneficiary form on file with IMRF, the $3,000 will be paid to your estate.

You are not married or in a civil union

If there is no surviving spouse, your beneficiary would receive any unpaid member contributions plus interest and the $3,000 death benefit.

 

Related Pages:

Retired members: How divorce and remarriage or a new civil union affects your death benefits.

Surviving Spouse Pensions

Surviving Spouse Pension: How divorce and remarriage or a new civil unionaffects your pension.

Reporting a death to IMRF