Upon the death of a person receiving a surviving spouse pension, IMRF will pay to the first named beneficiary of the deceased member any remainder of the IMRF member contributions, with interest to the date of the member’s retirement, which has not been paid by IMRF as retirement and/or surviving spouse pension benefits.
If none of the deceased member’s first named (primary) or secondary beneficiaries survive, the remainder of contributions with interest will be paid to the member's estate.
If the total benefit payments by IMRF exceed these contributions with interest, there is no benefit of any type paid upon the death of a person receiving a surviving spouse pension.
The $3,000 death benefit, which is paid upon the death of a retired member, is not payable upon the death of a person receiving a surviving spouse pension.