Tier 1 Regular Death and Survivor Benefits

for Inactive IMRF Members
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As an inactive IMRF member with contributions on deposit, you have important death benefits you should know about.

The amount and type of your IMRF death benefits depends upon your:

To view a current estimate of your IMRF death benefits, sign into your Member Access account.

Inactive Member Death Benefits

If you are: And your service credit is: Your death benefits are:
Younger than 55 years old Any amount The balance in your member account.
Age 55 or older Less than eight years
The balance in your member account.
Age 55 or older eight or more years
If you have an eligible surviving spouse, your spouse may choose either:
  • A monthly surviving spouse pension and a $3,000 payment
  • A lump sum death benefit of the balance in your member account and a $3,000 payment. 
Instead of the lump sum death benefit, a beneficiary annuity may be payable.
If you do not have an eligible surviving spouse the balance in your member account and a $3,000 payment are paid to your beneficiary(ies).

Instead of the lump sum death benefit, a beneficiary annuity may be payable.

When is a Surviving Spouse Eligible?

For your spouse to be eligible for inactive member death benefits:

  1. You must have named your spouse as your only primary beneficiary on your IMRF Designation of Beneficiary form.
  2. The date of your marriage or civil union must be at least one year before you stopped participating in IMRF.

What is the Balance in Your Member Account?

The balance in your member account is the accumulation of your member contributions, plus any interest earned on your contributions and less any benefit prepayments.

What is a benefit prepayment?

Any time a benefit is paid out of your account using estimated payments, we may initially pay out a higher payment than you or your beneficiary(ies) is entitled to. This is called a “prepayment.” IMRF is required by law to recover prepayments, typically through reductions from future benefit payments.

    Additional Surviving Spouse Pension Information

    How Divorce Can Affect Your Designation of Beneficiary

    If you named your spouse as your primary beneficiary and you later divorce, your former spouse is no longer considered a beneficiary. If you want any other arrangement, you must file a new designation of beneficiary.

    Different rules apply for members who divorce after they begin receiving an IMRF pension.

    You Can Provide an Additional Optional Death Benefit

    The Reversionary Annuity option gives you the choice of receiving a smaller IMRF pension so you can provide a lifetime pension for someone else upon your death. With a Reversionary Annuity, you can:

    You must choose this option by returning a completed "Reversionary Annuity Application" form (Available in Member Access) by the time you return your retirement application.

    If you choose a Reversionary Annuity: