You should fill out an IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form to name someone to receive your benefits should you die before withdrawing or retiring. This is one of the most important documents you can file with PERS.
The IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form is available from your employer, PERS Member Services, or on PERS' website. Mail your completed form to PERS; changes are not effective until PERS receives and accepts the form. Click the Form button to access the IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form.
Married members
If you are a married member, your spouse must be your sole primary beneficiary unless your spouse provides notarized consent allowing designation of another party.
If you are married and would like to designate someone other than your spouse as your IAP beneficiary, your spouse must consent on the IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form. Unless your spouse consents to a different beneficiary being named, your IAP account will be paid only to your spouse upon your death. The consent must be signed by the person who is your spouse at the time of your death to allow someone other than that spouse to receive your IAP account balance. In this context, spouse includes anyone who is constitutionally required to be treated in the same manner as a spouse.
Your spouse needs to complete the IAP: Revocation of Spousal Beneficiary Designation form if your spouse chooses to revoke their spousal consent. Click the Form button below to access the IAP: Revocation of Spousal Beneficiary Designation form.
Single members
If you are single, you must use the IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form. Should you select the standard designation, you automatically provide for changes that occur in your family situation such as marriage, birth, divorce, or death.
The standard designation is one of two options. You can also choose to name a specific person or persons, organization, trust, or your estate as your beneficiary. You can name more than one person or organization to be joint beneficiaries.
By law, PERS death benefits
Benefits provided to a beneficiary on the death of a member who has not retired. must be paid to the beneficiary(ies)
named in your PERS record at the time of your death. Although this is
a very emotional time for family and friends, PERS is required to pay
benefits according to the most recent designation filed and accepted by
PERS. That means PERS cannot act upon statements you may make to relatives,
friends, or attorneys that contradict your filed designation.
If a member dies without a designation of beneficiary on file, or if your designated beneficiary predeceases you, by law any death benefits that may be due and payable will be paid in the following order of priority:
To the extent you are vested in your IAP account at the time of your death, your IAP account will be paid to your beneficiary(ies) in a lump-sum payment. Your entire account must be distributed no later than December 31 of the fifth calendar year after the year of your death.
When you retire, you will designate a beneficiary on your retirement application to receive any IAP balance remaining at the time of your death.
If are receiving IAP installments and want to change your IAP beneficiary after retirement, click the Form button to access the Individual Account Program (IAP): Retirement Designation of Beneficiary form. Mail your completed form to PERS; changes are not effective until PERS receives and accepts the form.
Important: Do not confuse this form with the IAP Pre-Retirement Beneficiary Designation form, which is the beneficiary designation form you complete before you retire.