Survivor Benefits
Continuation Allowance
If a safety member (police or fire) dies while retired, SFERS will pay a continuation allowance to a qualified survivor. The type and amount of the survivor benefit is primarily dependent upon:
- the member’s Plan (old or new);
- the member’s cause of death (work-related or non-work-related);
- the member’s membership status at date of death (active or retired); and
- the status of the member’s survivor at date of death (qualified survivor and/or designated beneficiary).
A Qualified Survivor is:
| Eligible spouse/domestic partner; or |
| Unmarried child under age 18; or |
| Dependent child/parent(s) |
Select the appropriate link for a detailed description of “Qualified Survivor” and Survivor Benefits: Safety Old Plan or Safety New Plans.
If you do not have a qualified survivor, then a lump sum benefit will be paid to your named beneficiary or beneficiaries.
Lump Sum Benefit
SFERS will pay a lump sum benefit to your designated beneficiary equal to $100 for each year of service credit up to a maximum of $3,000.
A Beneficiary is:
| Someone named by the member to receive a lump sum benefit upon the member’s death. A beneficiary may be a person or persons, a trust, or an estate. If a member does not have a qualified survivor and does not designate a beneficiary, a lump sum benefit will be paid to the member’s estate. |
If you require additional information about survivor benefits, please contact the Retirement System.
