Coverage A or Coverage B

If you became a member after October 15, 1992, your survivors are protected under Coverage B. If you became a member before that date, you were offered the choice of either Coverage A or Coverage B.

Your Retirement Progress Report will show which survivor coverage you have. If you are not certain of your coverage, you can call CalSTRS at 800-228-5453.

One-Time Death Benefit

A one-time death benefit is payable to the one-time death benefit recipient or recipients under both Coverage A and B if eligibility requirements are met. The amount depends on the member's coverage and whether the death occurred before or after his or her retirement.

If the member has not named a recipient, the member's estate receives the one-time death benefit.

Monthly Benefits

Monthly benefits may be paid to eligible survivors of members who either:

• Die before retirement
• Are receiving a disability benefit at the time of death

These monthly benefits are not the same as payments made to option beneficiaries of deceased CalSTRS members who elected a pre-retirement option or elected an option at the time of retirement.

Less Than One Year of Service Credit

If a member has less than one year of service credit, the benefit payable to the surviving beneficiary is a refund of accumulated Defined Benefit and Defined Benefit Supplement contributions and interest.