If a Hawaii ERS member dies: what the family gets

Dying while working: Hybrid

• Not vested: Accumulated contributions and interest only.
• Joined before July 1, 2012, with 5+ years: 150% of your contributions and interest.
• Joined after June 30, 2012, with 10+ years: 120%.
• Instead of the lump sum, the beneficiary may elect an Option Two (100%) benefit with applicable age reduction if the member was eligible for regular or early retirement.
• If the member had 10 or more years but was not eligible for regular or early retirement, the beneficiary may elect an Option Three (50%) benefit.
• Options Two or Three are available only if one beneficiary was designated; with multiple beneficiaries or a trust, only the lump sum is payable. Payments start the first of the month after death.

Dying while working: Noncontributory

With at least 10 years, a spouse or reciprocal beneficiary gets 50% of the accrued maximum allowance (unreduced for age) until remarriage or a new reciprocal beneficiary relationship, or Option B (100%) for life if the member was eligible to retire. Each child gets 10% (20% maximum for two or more); with no spouse, 20% per child (40% maximum), until age 18. No spouse and no children: no benefit. Not payable if the member was a terminated vested member. Noncontributory handout (Oct. 2026) p. 12, Ordinary Death Benefits

Job-related deaths

Hybrid: Any age or service: refund of contributions and interest to the designated beneficiary plus 50% of AFC monthly to the surviving spouse or reciprocal beneficiary (until remarriage or a new reciprocal beneficiary relationship); else dependent children (to 18) or dependent parents. Noncontributory: Surviving spouse or reciprocal beneficiary gets 30% of AFC monthly (until remarriage); additional benefits to dependent children up to 18. ERS annual report 2024 p. 15 and p. 20, Service-Connected Death; Hybrid Q&A brochure (2012) Q14

After you retire

It depends on the option you chose. Payment options

If a member dies within one year of retirement, the beneficiary may choose the survivor benefit of the option selected or the ordinary death benefit. If the member dies after filing but before the retirement date, the beneficiary may elect the option survivor benefit or the ordinary death benefit. Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 8, footnotes 1 and 2

If Options Two or Three are selected, the surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for EUTF health benefits; contact the EUTF at (808) 586-7390. Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 13

If you'd left your job

Vested former Hybrid members who die after leaving: contributions and interest plus 20% or 50% (by membership date) of Hybrid contributions and interest. Not vested: contributions and interest only. Leaving Employment, Hybrid (2012) Q11

Keep your beneficiary form current

A designation (Form 1-A) becomes void when the beneficiary dies first, you divorce the beneficiary, you marry while unmarried, or you enter or end a reciprocal beneficiary relationship. Then the surviving spouse, reciprocal beneficiary or dependent children may still receive benefits; otherwise the estate. Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 13 (citing HRS §88-93 and §88-338(b)); ERS Members FAQ page

From the sources

• If a Hybrid member dies in service (not job related), the beneficiary gets a lump sum of 150% of contributions and interest. That applies with membership before July 1, 2012 and 5+ years; with membership after June 30, 2012 and 10+ years it is 120%. Example: $40,000 becomes $60,000 or $48,000.Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 13
• Instead of the lump sum, a single named beneficiary can take an Option Two lifetime benefit if the member was eligible to retire. If the member had 10+ years but was not eligible, an Option Three benefit is available.Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 13
• Noncontributory member with 10+ years who dies in service: the spouse gets 50% of the accrued benefit, or Option B for life if the member was eligible to retire. Children get 10% each (20% maximum), or 20% each (40% maximum) if there is no spouse.Noncontributory handout (Oct. 2026) p. 12
• Your beneficiary form becomes void if your beneficiary dies, you divorce the beneficiary, you marry, or you enter or end a reciprocal beneficiary relationship. File a new Form 1-A.Hybrid handout (Oct. 2026) p. 13 (citing HRS §88-93)

Questions