Survivor Pension

If you die as a retiree, your pension plan provides coverage for your surviving spouse and/or eligible children under the age of 18.

Eligible recipients

• Your surviving spouse.
• If you do not have a surviving spouse, or your surviving spouse dies, your eligible children under the age of 18 will receive the full survivor benefit divided equally between them. The survivor benefit will stop on their 18th birthday and be divided equally between any other children under the age of 18. This recalculation continues until the youngest reaches 18.

Note: Employees hired after July 1, 2006, will choose from survivor options that are actuarially reduced based on the survivor's age.

Calculation

Your surviving spouse and/or minor children will receive the same pension and insurance coverage you were receiving.

Conditions

You had to have been receiving a disability pension or a full retirement pension based on 25 years or more of service for your surviving spouse and/or minor children to be eligible for coverage.

NOTE: If you are a deferred member and die before age 50, your spouse may be eligible for your pension. See Deferred Retirement.

To apply

If you are a surviving spouse or dependent child of a deceased retiree, contact ORS as soon after the retiree's death as possible. You will need the deceased's social security number and will be required to mail in a copy of the death certificate.