Death benefits

Death benefits, as part of the Death and Disability Plan, include comprehensive coverage that provides financial protection to beneficiaries and eligible survivors in the event of a member’s death. Additionally, a living needs benefit provides financial support to terminally ill members.

Coverage details

Death benefits include the following:

• Salary continuation benefit is paid to a member’s designated beneficiaries in equal monthly installments for 12 months after the member’s death.
• Lump-sum death benefit is paid to a member’s eligible survivors or estate after the member’s death. The amount of the benefit is based on several factors, including the age of the member at the time of death.
• Children’s education benefit is paid to dependent children under the age of 25 for the first four years of full-time study beyond high school after a member’s death.
• Living needs benefit provides financial support to terminally ill members when they may need it most. Members who are certified by their physicians as terminally ill with a life expectancy of 24 months or less may request prepayment of a portion of their death benefits.

Read more details about using these benefits.

Eligibility to participate

Employees enrolled in the Death and Disability Plan are eligible for death benefits.

Costs for employers

The Death and Disability Plan is paid 100 percent by the employer. Dues for this coverage are 1 percent of effective salary if offered with Defined Benefit Pension Plan enrollment, or 2.5 percent of effective salary if offered without the Defined Benefit Pension Plan.