5.30 A. Types and Amounts of IMRF Death Benefits

  1. Death of Member in Non-Participating Status (Inactive member no longer participating but with IMRF contributions on deposit)

Upon the death of a person who formerly participated in IMRF Tier 1, had not withdrawn his or her member contributions, and was

  1. Less than age 55, the balance of the member’s account (member’s contributions plus interest to the date of death less any benefit prepayment) is paid to his or her beneficiary.

  2. Age 55 or older and not eligible to receive a pension, the balance of the member’s account (member’s contributions plus interest to the date of death less any benefit prepayment) is paid to his or her beneficiary.

  3. Age 55 or older and eligible to receive a pension, the member’s spouse or other beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump sum death benefit of $3,000 plus a refund of the member’s contributions with interest to the date of death (less any benefit prepayment). If the spouse is the beneficiary, in lieu of the refund of member contributions, the spouse may ask to receive a monthly surviving spouse pension plus the $3,000 lump sum death benefit.

Upon the death of a person who formerly participated in IMRF Tier 2, had not withdrawn his or her member contributions, and was

  1. Less than age 62, the balance of the member’s account (member’s contributions plus interest to the date of death less any benefit prepayment) is paid to his or her beneficiary.

  2. Age 62 or older and not eligible to receive a pension, the balance of the member’s account (member’s contributions plus interest to the date of death less any benefit prepayment) is paid to his or her beneficiary.

  3. Age 62 or older and eligible to receive a pension, the member’s spouse or other beneficiary(ies) will receive a lump sum death benefit of $3,000 plus a refund of the member’s contributions with interest to the date of death (less any benefit prepayment). If the spouse is the beneficiary, in lieu of the refund of member contributions, the spouse may ask to receive a monthly surviving spouse pension plus the $3,000 lump sum death benefit.

The surviving spouse pension is available only if the spouse was married or in a civil union for at least one year before the member terminated IMRF participation.

Related Topics