The Death Benefit Fact Sheet
provides a summary of the benefits available to a member's
spouse or designated beneficiary under certain terms and conditions in accordance with Chapter
78 of the Code of the City of Richmond. The Death Benefit Claimant Form must be completed to
receive the one time lump sum benefit payment.
Death Benefits After Retirement
- Death benefits are governed by the type of benefit payment option
selected at retirement.
- Your beneficiary will receive a one-time, lump-sum payment up to a
maximum of $1,000 upon your death from the Retirement Office if you were
employed before June 13, 1988.
Death Benefits After Disability Retirement
- The surviving spouse is automatically entitled to a 100 percent
survivor benefit if the retiree was eligible for Early Service retirement
at the time of disability retirement and dies prior to reaching his/her
normal retirement age (general employee – age 65; police officer or
firefighter – age 60).
- The automatic coverage for the spouse ends at the retiree’s normal
retirement age. Therefore, to continue coverage for the spouse,
the retiree must select a survivor option prior to reaching his/her normal retirement age.
- If a disabled retiree was not eligible for an early service
retirement at the time of disability retirement, the retiree must select
a survivor option prior to reaching his/her normal retirement age.
- Your beneficiary will receive a one-time, lump-sum payment up to a
maximum of $1,000 upon your death from the Retirement Office if you were
employed before June 13, 1988.
Payment of Claims
Upon notification of a member’s death (active or retired), the
member’s file is reviewed to determine if death benefits are due to a
surviving spouse and/or beneficiary. The applicable forms must be completed
and a certified death certificate must be submitted to the Retirement Office for payment of the funds.
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