Death Benefits

What death benefits are available to my survivors if I die while employed by the City?

• If you are at least 50 years of age with 8 years credited service and die while in active service with the City, your spouse is eligible to receive a monthly pension valued at one half of the benefit payable to you at the time of death. Additional adjustments may apply depending on the age difference of your spouse. If you are not at least 50 years of age with 8 years credited service, your beneficiary designated on the Municipal Pension Fund Beneficiary Card will receive a refund of your accumulated pension contributions.

What death benefits are available to my survivors if I die after I retire?

• You may elect a $100.00 Spouse Benefit at the time of retirement. You would be required to contribute $100.00 per month from your pension check to the Pension Plan. Upon your death, your spouse would receive $100.00 per month until he or she dies or remarries. If you do not elect the $100.00 Spouse Benefit at retirement, in the event of your death, your beneficiary designated on the Municipal Pension Fund Beneficiary Card will receive a final pension check.

Are my pension contributions refunded to my beneficiary if I die before I have received pension payments exceeding my own pension contributions?

• Yes.

What happens if I die without designating a beneficiary or updating my beneficiary card?

• In most cases, the survivors must open an estate in the Allegheny County Register of Wills Office in order to collect death benefits. This can be costly and time consuming. For this reason it is important to check periodically with the Municipal Pension Fund Office on your beneficiary designation.

If you have any more pension-related questions that you were wondering about, please call the Pension Office at 412-255-2655.