Active Member Death Benefit

If you die before you retire (active member death), the appropriate death benefit will be paid to your designated beneficiary(ies). Note that a surviving spouse or minor children, even if not named as a beneficiary may have certain rights that supersede the rights of the named beneficiary. See Beneficiary Designation. for more information.

In paying benefits, the plan distinguishes between deaths that are service related and non-service related.

BASIC Death Benefit Defined the basic death benefit consists of:

1. Your retirement contributions plus interest; and

2. One (1) month's salary for each full year of your service, up to six (6) months salary.

Non-service related death benefit

If you die while still an active member of ACERA and your death is not connected with your employment, the following benefits apply:

• Member w/ less than 5 years of service

  • Beneficiary receives Basic Death Benefit

• Member with 5 years of service or more no surviving spouse or qualified minor children

  • Beneficiary receives Basic Death Benefit

• Member with 5 years of service or more - with surviving spouse or qualified minor children:

  • Beneficiary can choose between:

    • Basic Death Benefit; or

    • Lifetime continuance (monthly allowance) equal to 60% of the amount you would have received if you were receiving a non-service connected disability. If the beneficiary is a minor child, the continuance continues until he/she reaches age 18 (or 22, if still attending school full time and unmarried); or

    • A combined benefit consisting of lump sum payment of an amount equal to one month's salary for each full year of your service, up to six months salary; and a lifetime continuance (monthly allowance) as described above, reduced by the actuarial equivalent of the lump sum payment based on your surviving spouse's age.

Service Connected Death Benefit

A service related death is one that results from a job-connected injury or disease that arises from the course of your employment with a participating employer.

Should your death occur because of a job caused injury or illness, the following may apply:

• Member (regardless of years of service) no surviving spouse or eligible minor child:

  • Beneficiary receives - Basic Death Benefit

• Member (regardless of years of service) with spouse or eligible minor child

  • Beneficiary can choose between:

    • Basic Death Benefit; or

    • Lifetime continuance of at least your final average monthly compensation at the time of death. If the beneficiary is a minor child, the continuance continues until he/she reaches at age 18 (or 22, if still attending school and unmarried); or

    • A combined benefit consisting of a lump sum payment of an amount equal to one month's salary for each full year of your service, up to six months salary; and a lifetime continuance (monthly allowance) as described above, reduced by the actuarial equivalent of the lump sum payment based on your surviving spouse's age.

Death Benefit - Service Connected - Safety Member

The surviving spouse of a Safety member, whose death occurs in the line of duty or as a result of an injury caused by external violence or physical force, may choose between:

1. Basic Death Benefit plus an additional benefit of one year's salary; or

2. Lifetime continuance of at least your final average monthly compensation at the time of death plus an additional benefit of one year's salary; or

3. A combined benefit consisting of a lump sum payment of an amount equal to one month's salary for each full year of your service, up to six months salary; and a lifetime continuance (monthly allowance) as described above, reduced by the actuarial equivalent of the lump sum payment based on your surviving spouse's age; plus an additional benefit of one year's salary

Additional Benefit for Safety Members

If the job caused death of a Safety member resulted from accident or injury caused by external force, an additional monthly amount is paid for eligible minor child(ren) until the child(ren) marries or reaches age 18, is as follows:

1. 1 child 25% of the basic monthly allowance

2. 2 children 40% of the basic monthly allowance

3. 3 or more children 50% of the basic monthly allowance