What Benefits Are Payable?

If you pass away before retirement, SCERS will determine what kind of death benefit your survivors or beneficiaries may receive. The type of benefit depends on your status at the time of death—particularly whether you were vested and whether your death was related to your job.

Only one type of benefit can be paid. SCERS will review your account, work status, and eligibility factors to determine which one applies.

1. Basic Death Benefit

Available if you are not vested and your death is not job-related

This benefit provides a one-time, lump-sum payment made to your beneficiary or estate. It includes:

  • A refund of your member contributions plus interest
  • A lump-sum amount equal to one month’s salary for each year of SCERS service, up to a maximum of six months’ salary

No monthly benefit is paid under this option. This is typically the benefit paid if you pass away early in your career or before reaching five years of service credit.

2. Alternative Death Benefit

Available if you are vested and your death is not job-related

If you were vested at the time of your death—and your death was not caused by your job—your eligible survivor (typically a spouse, partner, or minor child) will have a choice between two options:

Option A: 60% Lifetime Continuance

  • Your survivor receives 60% of a non-service-connected disability retirement benefit, calculated as if you had retired on the day you passed away
  • Paid monthly for the rest of their life

Option B: Combined Benefit

  • Your survivor receives:
    • A one-time lump sum equal to up to 6 months of salary
    • A reduced monthly continuance paid monthly for the rest of their life 

Option C: Lump Sum

  • Your survivor receives:
    • A one-time lump sum equal to your contributions and interest, plus up to 6 months of salary 

These benefits are only available to eligible survivors, not named beneficiaries. If no eligible survivor exists, the Basic Death Benefit will apply.

3. Service-Connected Death Benefit

Available if your death was job-related

If your death is found to be the result of a work-related illness or injury, your eligible survivor will receive:

  • A monthly benefit equal to 100% of a service-connected disability retirement, calculated as if you had retired due to job-related disability on the day of your death

This benefit:

  • Is payable for the rest of the survivor’s life
  • Is typically higher than the other options, because it assumes maximum disability eligibility

If you were a Safety member and your death occurred in the line of duty, an additional lump-sum payment equal to one year’s salary may also be paid to your eligible survivor. Your surviving eligible minor children may also receive an additional benefit payment. 

A service-connected determination requires medical and employment documentation and may take time to finalize. The SCERS Board of Retirement must approve the finding before benefits are issued under this option.

Who Can Receive These Benefits?

  • Monthly continuance benefits under the Alternative or Service-Connected options are only available to eligible survivors, such as:
    • A spouse or registered domestic partner (if the relationship began at least one year before your death)
    • Minor children to age 18 (or full-time students under age 22), or until they marry, whichever occurs first 
  • Lump-sum payments under the Basic Death Benefit may be paid to:
    • A named beneficiary, or
    • Your estate, if no eligible survivor or beneficiary exists