Survivor benefits

The Defined Benefit Program provides benefits to your survivors whether your death occurs before or after retirement. There are two types of coverage: Coverage A (family allowance) and Coverage B (survivor benefit). Which coverage you have depends on your membership date and whether you elected Coverage B when given the choice.

Survivor and death benefits will be paid on your behalf while on military leave if you should die while performing military service, as if you had continued accruing CalSTRS service credit.

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…

Coverage A survivor benefits—If you die before retirement

Under Coverage A, benefits are payable to your survivors if you became a member of CalSTRS before October 16, 1992, and did not elect Coverage B in…

Coverage B survivor benefits—If you die before retirement

Under Coverage B, benefits are payable to your survivors if you became a member of CalSTRS on or after October 16, 1992, or elected Coverage B in the…

Coverage A or B—When you die after retirement

If you die after retirement, the one-time death benefit is the same under both Coverage A and Coverage B.

Reporting a death

Contact CalSTRS as soon as possible to notify us of the death of a member or beneficiary.