Retiree Survivor Information

If you are a survivor of a WRS retiree or beneficiary, we are sorry for your loss.

Each WRS pension plan has different payout and benefit provisions for survivors. In general, the benefit option selected at the time of retirement will determine whether a pension payment continues for the beneficiary and the amount of that benefit.

Some benefit options include a cash payout of any remaining account balance to the member’s beneficiary. Typically, a retiree draws all the funds from his or her account within three to five years of retiring, after which the retiree is paid with WRS investment earnings. Therefore, it is rare a lump sum payment is paid at a retiree’s death.

Please review the relevant pension plan handbook for details.

Pop-Up Provisions

Some WRS pension benefit payout options include a pop-up provision. Under these payout options, if you are a WRS member and your beneficiary precedes you in death, your benefit amount will “pop-up” to a higher amount.

Please review the relevant pension plan handbook for details.

Survivor Benefits

Reporting a Death to WRS

For member’s loved ones dealing with the loss of a member, this time can be busy and stressful. As soon as you are able, please contact WRS to notify us of the member’s death by calling (307) 777-7691. Here is information we will need:

• For the deceased member:
  • Full name, address and birthdate
  • Date of death
  • RAIN ID or Social Security number
• Caller or informant’s relationship to the deceased
• Primary contact, if different than the informant:
  • Name, address and telephone number
  • Relationship to the deceased

For Deceased Member’s Receiving Annuity Payments

WRS will stop the benefit and recover any electronic payments issued to the deceased the month after the date of death. Please do not close the deceased member’s bank account until the funds have been recovered.

Death Benefits Process

WRS will determine who the beneficiaries are if any death benefits are payable. The amount of time for a beneficiary to receive a payment depends on the type of benefit, how quickly beneficiaries are located, how many beneficiaries there are, and how long it takes them to submit their benefit application.

Due to member confidentiality, no benefit information is given to anyone except the beneficiaries or the personal representative of the member’s estate.

Retirement Benefit

The death benefit amount a beneficiary receives depends on whether the member was employed at the time of death, their WRS account balance and the number of beneficiaries to be paid. If the member was retired and receiving a monthly payment, the death benefit will be based on the annuity option the deceased chose at retirement.

Who else should I notify about the death?

You may contact:

• The deceased member’s employer, if they were still working.
• The 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan, if the deceased had a deferred compensation account. Call (307) 777-7691 and ask for our Deferred Compensation Department.
• The Social Security Administration.
• The deceased member’s health, life, disability coverage, investment plans, financial institutions, etc. active at the time of death.
• If you are the personal representative or executor of the estate, the probate court in the county in which the person died.