Regular Plan, active member (not in DROP and not a working retiree) who dies with at least 5 years (2 earned immediately before death) or 20 years: spouse with minor children gets 50% of the Maximum benefit at the 2.5% formula or $600, whichever is greater; spouse without minor children gets the 2.5%-formula Option 2 benefit or $600, whichever is greater, if the member had 10 years (under 60, ceases on remarriage before 55) or 20 years / 10 years at 60 (remarriage does not matter); the spouse must have been married at least one year. Minor children (unmarried, under 21, or full-time student under 23, or disabled before 21) get 25% of the member's maximum benefit or $300 per child, whichever is greater, for no more than two children; more children share that total. Under 5 years: refund of contributions to beneficiary or estate. Plan B: spouse gets Option 2 equivalent with 20 years (age 50+, married 1 year; ends on remarriage or Social Security eligibility) or 30 years at 55 / 10 at 60 (lifetime); Social Security pays children. Death within 30 days after retirement/DROP start is treated as an active death. Death & Survivor Benefits pp. 3-11; Member Handbook pp. 22-23
Guaranteed Return of Employee Contributions: if total benefits paid to member, beneficiary and/or survivor are less than the member's contributions, the difference is refunded to the estate. Death & Survivor Benefits p. 13; R.S. 11:769
Survivor options when you retire →
From the sources
- If an active Regular Plan member with at least 5 years dies, a spouse with minor children gets 50% of the member's benefit at the 2.5% formula or $600, whichever is more. Each minor child gets 25% of the member's benefit or $300, whichever is more, but payments cover at most two children (with four children, $600 is shared: $150 each).Death & Survivor Benefits pp. 5-7
- With 10 or more years, a spouse with no minor children gets the Option 2 benefit at the 2.5% formula or $600, whichever is more. The spouse must have been married to the member for at least a year.Death & Survivor Benefits pp. 6-7
- If total payments end up less than what the member contributed, the difference goes to the estate.Death & Survivor Benefits p. 13; R.S. 11:769
Questions
What does TRSL pay if a member dies before retiring?
With at least 5 years, a spouse with minor children gets half the member's benefit at the 2.5% formula or $600 a month, whichever is more. Minor children get 25% of the member's benefit or $300 each, for up to 2 children.
What if the member had retired?
Then the payment option the member chose decides what the beneficiary gets. See Payment options.
Source: TRSL Member Handbook: Regular Plan & Plan B, Last revised April 2026, pp. 22-23. Also: Death & Survivor Benefits pp. 3-11, 5-7, 5-8, 6-7, 9, 13; La. R.S. 11:762, 11:769. Last reviewed .