As a SCERS member, it is important to explain to your chosen beneficiaries what to do and expect when you pass, whether you are an active, deferred, or retired employee. Here is good advice to follow:

1. Understand beneficiary options and make sure beneficiaries know the type of pension benefits they may be entitled to, such as survivor benefits, lump-sum payouts, or ongoing annuities, and how these are affected by your choices at retirement (if retired).
2. Keep beneficiary information updated with SCERS by verifying that the correct beneficiary information is on file, especially after life events like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, to avoid complications later.
3. Your survivors should use the “Report a Death” link located on our website’s home page to promptly notify SCERS of your passing.
4. Survivors should know the process for claiming benefits, which includes providing required documents (e.g., death certificate, identification, and any applicable forms) and being aware of processing timelines.

For more information on this topic, visit scers.gov/death-information.