POST-RETIREMENT DEATH/BURIAL BENEFITS
POST-RETIREMENT DEATH/BURIAL BENEFITS - Plan A, B, C, D, E
When a member dies after retirement, the surviving spouse, or the named beneficiary or estate, is entitled to receive a one-time $5,000 death/burial benefit from LACERA.
POST-RETIREMENT SURVIVOR BENEFITS
SERVICE RETIREMENT: SURVIVOR BENEFITS VARY ACCORDING TO OPTION ELECTED
Under the Unmodified option, Unmodified+Plus option, and Options 2, 3, and 4, upon your death, your eligible survivor is entitled to a continuing monthly allowance. The allowance is based on a percentage of the monthly allowance you received during your lifetime; that percentage is determined by the option you elect at retirement. Under Option 1, your named beneficiary receives a lump-sum payment (Option 1 is not available under Plan E.) Visit the Service Retirement page for more information.
SPOUSE
If you do not have a surviving spouse, the continuing allowance may be paid to your eligible surviving minor children, if any.
DOMESTIC PARTNERS
If you are in a domestic partnership and have eligible minor children, the rights of your domestic partner supersede the rights of your children. If you do not have a surviving domestic partner, the monthly allowance may be paid to your eligible surviving children, if any.
ELIGIBILITY:
- The surviving spouse must be married to the member at least one year prior to the retirement effective date.
- The domestic partner must be registered with the California Secretary of State, with a Certificate of Registered Domestic Partnership, one year prior to member's retirement.
- Minor child(ren) must be unmarried and under age 18. Eligibility may be extended through the age of 21 if the eligible child(ren) remains unmarried and remains a full-time student in an accredited educational institution.
Note: Prior to January 1, 2009, the effective date of AB 2673, rights of eligible children superseded the rights of domestic partners for post-retirement survivor benefits in Plans A, B, C, and D. Under AB 2673, eligible domestic partners are treated the same as a spouse in all retirement plans. This change applies on a prospective basis; parties who may have fallen under the previous model are not affected.
4/20/10