Surviving Spouse Pension

When a retired member dies, IMRF will pay a $3,000 death benefit to the beneficiary designated by the deceased retiree. IMRF also pays a pension to the member's spouse if the member and spouse had been married for at least one year prior to the date the member stopped participating in IMRF.

If the eligible spouse dies and the retired member remarries, the current spouse could be eligible for an IMRF spouse pension. Upon the retired member's death, IMRF will pay a surviving spouse pension to the current spouse if:

• the previous eligible spouse is deceased and
• the current spouse was married to the member at least one year prior to the member's death and
• You must have terminated employment on or after March 26, 1992.

The amount of the surviving spouse benefit is usually 50% of the (standard) pension, including the yearly 3% cost-of-living increase.

If the retired member chose to receive benefits under the level-option plan, the surviving spouse benefit will be based on the standard plan, including 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.

Some additional questions for those receiving surviving spouse pensions:

What happens if I remarry?

Do I have any death benefits?