Marriage or Divorce After Retirement

Changes in your personal relationships can affect your SCERS records, especially your beneficiary designations and tax elections. Whether you’ve married, divorced, entered or ended a registered domestic partnership, it’s important to notify SCERS and update your account if needed.

Marriage or Registered Domestic Partnership

If you marry or establish a registered domestic partnership after retirement, your new spouse or partner will not qualify for continuing benefits but may be eligible for death benefits upon your death.  To ensure your records are up to date: 

To ensure your records are up to date:

• Submit a Member’s Affidavit (Form 6019) to notify SCERS of your new personal status.
• Consider reviewing and, if needed, updating your designated beneficiary.
• Review your tax withholding elections—marriage may impact how much you choose to withhold.

California law may limit survivor benefits to spouses or partners who were married/registered at the time of retirement and remained so until the retiree’s death. Contact SCERS to understand what applies to your situation.

Divorce or Ending a Domestic Partnership

If you divorce or legally end a registered domestic partnership, SCERS needs to be notified. These changes may impact your benefits, especially if your former spouse or partner was listed as a beneficiary.

• Submit a new Member’s Affidavit (Form 6019) to update your personal status and beneficiary designations. 
• SCERS may require a copy of your divorce judgement and marital settlement agreement. 
• If a court orders that your SCERS benefit is subject to division, you’ll need to provide a Domestic Relations Order (DRO) for review.