This online feature provides beneficiaries the most efficient and secure way to file a benefit claim with TRS. The claim process includes several steps and may require you to provide documentation to TRS, but rest assured you do not need to complete the online process all at once. If you need to log off before you finish, all information you entered will be saved when you click the "Confirm" button at the end of each step. When you log back in, you can resume the claim process.

Every screen has a "Help" icon in the top right corner. Click that icon to access a help organized by topic. 

Other Important Information

• TRS requires an original death certificate or certified copy to process your death benefit claim; the original death certificate or certified copy must be submitted directly to TRS. You can upload other required documents in this online claim.
• You must provide all required documentation to TRS within six months of the date you file your death benefit claim.
• Some distribution options (e.g., certain types of rollovers) have requirements that must be met within specific timeframes. Therefore, we urge you to submit your benefit claim as soon as possible to preserve your eligibility for the distribution option you want.
• The last four digits of your Claim Code will be displayed in this online feature. Make sure the digits match those in the Claim Code provided in your notification letter; if they don't match, please contact TRS immediately.
• You can read more about TRS death benefits on our website.

Getting Started

Please refer to the notification letter that TRS sent you, containing information about benefits payable to you (and any payments due TRS).

To begin the online claim process, click on "Start Claim." You will see your Claim Status, the deceased member's name, and the total benefit amount due.

Qualified Pension Plan (QPP)
All TRS members participate in the QPP. Death benefits vary based on the member's tier and membership status in TRS (retired, active, on a leave of absence), as well as any payment option the member may have chosen at retirement.

Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA)
The TDA Program is an optional 403(b) investment plan. Death benefits vary based on the member's membership status in TRS (retired, active, on a leave of absence), as well as any payment option the member may have chosen at retirement.

More details about specific QPP and TDA death benefits are provided in the sections that follow.

• A QPP fractional benefit represents a portion of the member's retirement allowance for the month in which the member died.
• A TDA fractional benefit represents a portion of the member's monthly annuity for the month in which the member died.

Death Benefit #2 is a lump-sum benefit, the amount of which varies based on the amount of service attained by the member and the age at which the member died.

QPP Payment Option

• Depending on the payment option chosen by the member at retirement, a beneficiary will receive continuing monthly benefit payments for life; a limited, guaranteed number of monthly benefit payments; or a one-time lump-sum benefit.
• If you will receive continuing monthly QPP benefits, you will see a breakdown of your QPP monthly benefit payments under the payment option (indicated at the top of the screen) chosen by the member. The breakdown includes a list of funds (including any funds invested in TRS’ Passport Funds) in the member's QPP account.
• If you will receive continuing monthly QPP benefits, you will designate beneficiaries to receive any fractional benefit that may come due.

TDA Payment Option

• Depending on the payment option chosen by the member at retirement, a beneficiary will receive continuing TDA monthly annuity payments for life or a limited, guaranteed number of monthly benefit payments.
• If you will receive continuing TDA monthly annuity payments, you will see a breakdown of your payments under the payment option (indicated at the top of the screen) chosen by the member. The breakdown includes a list of the TRS Passport Funds in the member’s TDA account.
• If you will receive continuing TDA monthly annuity payments, you will designate beneficiaries to receive any fractional benefit that may come due.

QPP and TDA payment options available to retiring members vary based on their tier status. For details about payment options available at retirement, please see the following brochures:

Retirement Payment Options: Tiers I/II and TDA Annuitization Options

Retirement Payment Options: Tiers III/IV/VI

 

QPP Lump-Sum Benefit

• For members who died while in active service, a lump-sum benefit that is calculated according to the member’s tier status is payable. For members who died while separated from service, a refund of the member’s QPP account balance is payable. Your lump-sum benefit may include payment from the member’s Group Term Life Insurance (GTLI); this must be received as a Direct Payment.

TDA Lump-Sum Benefit

• If the member was not retired and had a balance in the TDA Program at the time of death, or if the member was retired and maintaining a TDA account through TDA Deferral status, the TDA balance would be payable to the beneficiary.

TDAB Lump-Sum Benefit

• If the deceased had a balance in his/her TDAB account at the time of death, the TDA balance would be payable to the beneficiary.

• Under Annuity Payment A, a fractional payment is payable. The fractional payment represents a portion of the deceased's monthly annuity for the month in which the deceased died.
• Under Annuity Payment B, a one-time lump-sum benefit and a fractional payment are payable. The fractional payment represents a portion of the deceased's monthly annuity for the month in which the deceased died.

The following types of uncashed checks will be paid as a lump-sum direct payment to the member's estate.

• Uncashed QPP Check(s): Represents a QPP payment(s) issued to the deceased, but not cashed.
• Uncashed TDA Check(s): Represents a TDA payment (s) issued to the deceased, but not cashed.
• Pending TDA Payment or Uncashed TDA Rollover Check: Represents a TDA payment(s) due the deceased, or an uncashed TDA rollover check.
• Pending TDAB Payment or Uncashed TDAB Rollover Check: Represents a TDAB payment(s) due the deceased, or an uncashed TDAB rollover check.
• Uncashed TDAB Check(s): Represents a payment(s) from the deceased's TDAB account that was issued, but not cashed.

QPP Spouse Rights, TDA Spouse Rights, and/or TDAB Spouse Rights will appear if you are the spouse of a TRS member who is claiming a share of your deceased spouse's estate, even if you were not named as a beneficiary. Benefits from TRS' accounts (QPP and/or TDA) are included in calculating the net estate.