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Survivor benefits: What you need to know

As a CalSTRS member, your spouse, children, or other loved ones may be eligible for survivor benefits.

The type of benefit depends on if you're an active or retired member, if you choose an option beneficiary, the amount of service credit you have and whether you have Coverage A or Coverage B. You can designate a recipient to receive a one-time lump sum payment after your death.

This recipient can be a living person, an estate, a trust a corporation, a charity or a public entity and you can change this recipient at any time. Be sure to keep this important recipient information current.

You can also choose to provide ongoing monthly benefits to your survivors after your death.