Inactive Members
If the member was separated from employment for more than four months for reasons unrelated to their health, they are considered an inactive member and the Limited Death Benefit will be the only benefit paid. If they left CalPERS to join another California public retirement system, there may be additional benefits paid from CalPERS, so the total benefit paid by both systems will equal the amount that would have been paid if all the service was with CalPERS.
No death benefits are payable if the member separated from CalPERS employment and terminated their membership by withdrawing or refunding all their contributions.
State Second Tier Members
Benefits are not payable upon the death of a State Second Tier member if they were not vested (had less than 10 years of service credit) at the time of death, their separation from employment was prior to death, and they did not contribute any dollar amounts to CalPERS. Because of the Pension Reform Act of 2013, all State Second Tier members, including classic members, began paying retirement contributions to CalPERS, effective July 1, 2013. If the member contributed dollar amounts to CalPERS, or was vested and separated within four months of death, our regular death benefits are paid. If separation was more than four months before death, and medical information can substantiate the member was too ill to work, our regular death benefits are paid, whether or not the member paid retirement contributions to CalPERS.
