[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6238646,"mediaKeyId","3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33","parentId",3350513,"title","CalPERS explains beneficiary designations, classes and events that revoke designations","audioSeconds",137,"startMs",87000,"endMs",224000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33&start=87&end=224","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33/thumbnail_87000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6238646/California/CalPERS-explains-beneficiary-designations-classes-and-events-that-revoke-designations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238646-a587a3ab28b5f068ecf3b4a71694f4e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773810534&Signature=eJjArlr6Payu3nl--c6MchQ-COhlOq8V4VU1ZpttmPTKZlWutz-mMu7190b3HzIONTg7X~186H-G5CRwwTpWJj94panqNSsJJnxfc-wIUY~3jCc1gNoUuO4g5MaQTA~2oQDMFANYBYlc2UV~XkH9x3RbAKrc44YvL5jcV6--xvSJpP3j7WqEYY1V-iNdZN-H5xnZhW8shdtc6N9LjcwRAt5cpsl-xSQ3qOFu69IUzBEK4igkuWJAkJ3sjoLjJJRjYCCryB8m2cPU957L0hHwuFQAm2zwzpRihHrY3SBXargdNJskeIIXTd19SiyXXcAbfUBlNTZONUIqy0EmaXr2bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","California Public Employees Retirement System","date","2025-05-15T19:00:06Z","article","The presenter with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) explained how members can name beneficiaries and why keeping a valid beneficiary designation on file matters.

Why this matters: a valid beneficiary designation controls who receives lump‑sum benefits if you have one on file; if no valid designation exists, CalPERS distributes benefits according to statutory order.

CalPERS told viewers there are two ways to designate a beneficiary: by logging in to a myCalPERS account or by submitting the preretirement lump‑sum beneficiary designation form available for download and submission by mail or fax. The presenter defined a \"class\" as a group of individuals (for example, children or grandchildren) that a member can designate without naming each person individually; CalPERS will divide the benefit among all individuals who qualify within that class at the time of death.

The presenter distinguished beneficiaries from survivors: \"A beneficiary can be anyone of your choosing or designated by statutory order,\" the presenter said. \"A survivor is a family member defined in the law as eligible to receive specific benefits upon your death prior to retirement.\" The presenter noted that a spouse or registered domestic partner will receive their community property share of the death benefit even if the member names someone else as beneficiary; the remainder will be paid to the designated beneficiary.

CalPERS listed events that revoke a beneficiary designation and advised members to update designations after life changes. Events identified in the presentation that revoke a prior designation include marriage or registration of a domestic partnership, annulment, dissolution of marriage or termination of a registered domestic partnership, birth or adoption of a child, and receiving a refund of contributions (which the presenter said terminates CalPERS membership). If there is no valid beneficiary designation, the presentation said benefits are paid by statutory order: spouse/registered domestic partner first, then children, then parents, and so on.

Ending: CalPERS recommended members review beneficiary designations in myCalPERS or submit the preretirement lump‑sum beneficiary designation form to ensure their wishes are on file.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pre-Retirement Survivor Benefits","oneSentenceSummary","CalPERS described how members designate beneficiaries (online via myCalPERS or by form), what a beneficiary class is, events that automatically revoke a designation, and the distinction between a beneficiary and a survivor under the law.","taxTitle","California Public Employees Retirement System, Agencies under Office of the Governor, Executive, California","taxId",70079,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238652,"CalPERS details preretirement lump‑sum and monthly survivor benefits",594,417000,1011000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33&start=417&end=1011","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33/thumbnail_417000.jpg","/articles/6238652/California/CalPERS-details-preretirement-lumpsum-and-monthly-survivor-benefits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238652-e88f95f3da6ef9d39931c32908e6007b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773810534&Signature=JLSmhJGS9lws0uI1OWrkJQ21UCpSJoyYsWpZxavEGHbZg2m4cFuClPkAsYlSkb7B9vkh1ZkBMa8DiWvbO4ywcrbbryKuRBxng3nivQ4H5eA8AN-6zl45mdtyd-X-y-rk5E-6KjHvy36lmMl4r0PH1-RYlwBUkY~yZPuY-wwUfoSpdo2z-O02qLr0kxVrKf09Yrb4zU6zCja~TN01d6LNPsMXRslbCsi9nXpMT3UIsJEOB53r8AjfIya9Lw13z78tI42rWDkproBfC-aVLMZaICu-RNX-QOTuww5TCoFhmgvO78tiJIruIduzIBp72cpUrma0vuGNxSQfBvo~8ZrnBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenter, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), listed the main categories of preretirement survivor benefits and the factors that determine eligibility, including membership category, employer contract, and separation date.

Why this matters: the specific benefits payable to survivors depend on a combination of member status, employer contracts and statutory order; survivors and beneficiaries should confirm what applies to the member at death.

CalPERS distinguished lump‑sum and monthly benefits. Lump‑sum benefits discussed included the limited death benefit, the basic death benefit, and group term life insurance. The presenter said the limited death benefit is payable to an inactive member’s designated or statutory beneficiary and pays the member’s contributions plus interest if the member had been separated for more than 120 days and separation was not due to an injury or illness that prevented the member from working. The basic death benefit pays an active member’s contributions and interest and can also pay up to six months of salary; it is payable if no one eligible for a monthly allowance chooses that allowance or if a person eligible for a monthly allowance elects the basic death benefit instead.

For state members, the presenter said the group term life insurance consists of a tax‑free $5,000 amount plus an amount equal to six months of salary; tax treatment may vary depending on retiree eligibility. The presenter said multiple benefits can be payable to the same survivors (for example, group term life insurance and a preretirement Option 2W death benefit), and that when there are multiple beneficiaries the lump sum is divided equally among them unless a designation specifies otherwise.

Monthly benefits described included the preretirement Option 2W death benefit (a monthly allowance based on what the member would have received had they retired and elected the 100% option), the \"1957 survivor benefit\" (described in the presentation as paying 50% of an unmodified allowance under specified conditions), the special death benefit (a monthly allowance equal to 50% of final compensation, potentially increasing to 75% when there are eligible children), and the alternate death benefit (available to certain state members who meet minimum age and service requirements and to public‑agency firefighters if contracted by the employer).

The presenter emphasized that some benefits require the employer to contract for them (for example, sick‑leave conversion, alternate death benefit for some public agencies, and some public‑agency special death benefits) and that school and state members are covered under a particular level of the 1959 survivor benefit while public agencies may contract for other levels.

Ending: The presenter recommended members check their myCalPERS account for membership category and consult the member benefit publications (Publication 3 for school, Publication 4 for state, Publication 5 for public agencies) for full details on which benefits apply.","The presentation described types of preretirement death benefits available through CalPERS, eligibility conditions, employer contract requirements, and example amounts for certain components such as group term life insurance.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6238658,"CalPERS explains emergency retirement option and how families should report a member’s death",292,1012000,1304000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33&start=1012&end=1304","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3350513-88c361b31ab4af2eb2040a2291b72e33/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","/articles/6238658/California/CalPERS-explains-emergency-retirement-option-and-how-families-should-report-a-members-death","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6238658-79d03a80e4f2d73dd786d2ad74a7f45c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773810534&Signature=ctuMrHzHCPnFf6PMsZBl7FMDt60EgAj5k1UPsdmW5ynER7QJ5ruI~1GBh1SEkYcnT3QuIqF74hGUzW5jC1ifn7rtnASYg-2Me~CxYHa0mZ58rDUm~woHPK4v1EOKxc7Xe4Z1flWbvKPhtmD72uMlzySo9Gr9FVpX02dv5RYypFF0Ngb~YoadoaN1jnMNjW~kHLa0EWC1dS~sY05LyTP0-BtdKUEAa0zfM8fCX2Ef6WpJBkcKb7DUfREBDq6M8OmUwvKmqHKOqJsi20JlvZEUbLIEQFtzt7LtJKRoT663brfcbCBT2ccRAlEU9AypijYda7WnDSxFyjj~7ERMOnXbzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Presenter, California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), said family members should notify CalPERS online or by phone when a member dies and that CalPERS will provide publication 55 and an online application link after a report is received.

The presentation said the preferred reporting method is online, but families may call CalPERS or notify the employer. \"We'll request the name and CalPERS ID or Social Security number of the deceased and the date of death,\" the presenter said.

Why this matters: reporting starts the process that determines which lump-sum or monthly survivor benefits are payable. CalPERS said it cannot say which benefits will be paid until it receives all required documentation and completes its review.

CalPERS listed the documents most commonly needed and the processing timeline. The presenter said a photocopy of the death certificate showing cause of death is required; additional documents could include a marriage certificate or a child’s birth certificate. \"A complete list of documents possibly required will be in the preretirement survivor benefits publication,\" the presenter said. CalPERS said it typically takes about 40 to 60 days to process and release benefits after receiving all required documentation.

The presenter also described the emergency retirement process for members who may die before the normal processing period completes. The presentation said the normal processing timeframe is typically \"90 to a hundred and 20 days,\" and that emergency retirement is available when a member faces a potential death that could prevent surviving family members from receiving an optimal benefit if the standard process were used. The presenter said emergency retirement applications must be received before the member dies and may be filed as service retirement, disability, or industrial disability.

CalPERS explained who may sign emergency applications: the member, a conservator, or an attorney in fact who has the specific rights to choose retirement options and beneficiaries. The presenter advised having a power of attorney on file and noted CalPERS’s special power of attorney form (Pub 30) for CalPERS business. \"When submitting the application, emergency must be written at the top,\" the presenter said.

Ending: CalPERS urged members and families who may need an emergency retirement to contact the CalPERS call center or a regional office as soon as possible and offered in‑person or virtual counseling when necessary. Contact information given in the presentation included the CalPERS customer call center at (888) 225-7377 and the myCalPERS online account for messages and appointments.","CalPERS staff described how families should report a member’s death, what documents are required, typical processing times, and an emergency retirement process that expedites benefit decisions for members with terminal conditions.","actionData","errors"]

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CalPERS explains beneficiary designations, classes and events that revoke designations

CalPERS details preretirement lump‑sum and monthly survivor benefits

CalPERS explains emergency retirement option and how families should report a member’s death