Overview
We provide a lifetime annuity to retirees, and when they die, we must stop their monthly annuity payments. The month in which they die is the final month they are entitled to payments. It is important that we be informed as soon as possible after their death to prevent overpayments and, if applicable, to continue payments to a beneficiary.
At retirement, members may elect to receive their annuity as a straight life annuity or have that annuity reduced and designate a beneficiary to receive continuing payments under one of four annuity options. When we receive notice of a death, we can verify the annuity election. See the Annuity Options publication in the Resources section for more information about annuity options.
How To
We accept notices from and can provide general information to a person or institution with a relationship to the retiree including relatives, estate administrators, funeral homes, financial institutions, and former employers. When you contact us, be prepared to provide the information below so that we can send detailed information to a spouse or contact person. We ultimately need a copy of the death certificate when it is available.
- Retiree name
- APERS ID or Social Security number
- Date of death
- Marital status and spouse information
- Contact person information
You can notify us of a death in one of the following ways:
| Contact Method | Description |
|---|---|
| Online | Visit our Contact Us page. |
| APERS 124 W Capitol Ave Ste 400 Little Rock AR 72201 | |
| Phone | Local: (501) 682-7800 Toll Free: (800) 682-7377 |
FAQs
Why did the retiree not designate a beneficiary?
A straight life annuity provides a retiree with the maximum benefit amount available, while the annuity options reduce a retiree’s benefit. That additional income may have been more advantageous, or the retiree may have had other sources of income for survivors.
When will my beneficiary payments begin?
The effective date of benefits for a beneficiary is the first of the month after the retiree’s date of death, regardless of the date we receive a beneficiary application.
Did the retiree pay into the system?
Members who join the system on or after July 1, 2005, contribute a portion of their compensation to the system. We use a retiree’s contributions to help pay their monthly annuity. Those contributions are usually exhausted within the first few years of retirement.
Resources
- Publication: Annuity Options