Short answer: before you retire, an active member's beneficiary may get a double lump sum (your contributions plus interest, matched by the employer), and a vested member's spouse can take a monthly benefit instead. After you retire, the payment option you chose decides. A line-of-duty death pays 50% of your average a year. See also leaving teaching and Social Security, or estimate the pension in the calculator.
Before you retire
Before retirement (active = in service or within 150 days of the last paid day): line-of-duty death pays the spouse or minor children (to 22) a monthly annuity of half of the 5-year AFC (plus the benefit improvement, if applicable); an unmarried member with no beneficiary: $50,000 to the estate. A contributory active member's beneficiary may get a double lump sum (contributions plus interest, matched by the employer), or with 10+ years convert it to 120 monthly payments. A vested member's spouse may take an Option 1 annuity reduced for each month death precedes the service retirement date; a member already eligible to retire leaves an Option 1 annuity (or the options the age difference allows), reduced for early retirement if applicable. Inactive members: single lump sum of contributions and interest, or with 10+ years a spouse annuity equal to 50% of the member's Option 2 benefit. Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 4-9; Legacy Member Guide p. 7-8, Survivor Benefits When a Member Dies Prior to Retirement
- "Active" means working, or within 150 days of your last paid day.
- Line of duty: 50% of your five-year average a year to your spouse or minor children; $50,000 to the estate of an unmarried member with no beneficiary.
After you retire
Your payment option decides it. Member Only and Social Security Leveling stop at your death; any contributions not yet paid out go to your beneficiary. A joint and survivor option pays your beneficiary 100%, 70% or 50% of your check for life.
From the sources
- If you die while working (or within 150 days of your last paid day), your beneficiary may get a double lump sum (your contributions plus interest, matched by the employer), or with 10+ years 120 monthly payments.Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 6-7
- Once you're vested, a spouse beneficiary can instead get a lifetime Option 1 annuity, reduced for each month your death came before your retirement date.Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 7
- Death in the line of duty: your spouse or minor children (to age 22) get half of your five-year average pay each year.Selecting a Beneficiary Guide p. 4
- Name beneficiaries separately for TCRS and for any 401(k) or 457(b). Marriage or divorce does not change them automatically.Legacy Member Guide p. 7
Questions
What happens to my TCRS pension if I die before retiring?
It depends on whether you're working and vested. An active member's beneficiary may get a double lump sum, your contributions plus interest matched by the employer. Once you're vested, a spouse can instead take a lifetime monthly benefit.
What happens after I retire?
That depends on the payment option you picked. Member Only stops at your death; any contributions left over go to your beneficiary as a lump sum. A joint and survivor option keeps paying your beneficiary.
Source: TCRS Legacy Retirement Plan for Teachers Member Guide and Hybrid Retirement Plan for State Employees and Teachers Member Guide, Legacy 12/2024; Hybrid revised 07/2024, Legacy Member Guide pp. 7, 7-8. Also: Selecting a Beneficiary Guide pp. 4, 4-9, 6-7, 7. Last reviewed .