VRS Handbook for Members - Virginia Retirement System

Death-in-Service Order of Precedence
The death-in-service benefit may be a lump-sum payment of any balance remaining in your member
contribution account, a monthly benefit or both. As required by law, VRS will pay a death-in-service
benefit according to the following order of precedence if you die from a non-work related cause and
there is no valid beneficiary designation on file or your named beneficiary is deceased. If you die from
a work-related cause, your spouse, natural or legally adopted minor child or parent will be eligible for
a monthly benefit as well as a lump-sum payment of your member contribution account balance if he
or she also is your named beneficiary.
First, to your spouse
If no spouse, to your
natural or legally
adopted minor child or
children
If none of the above, to
your parent or parents
If none of the above
If your spouse is eligible for a monthly benefit, the benefit
will continue if your spouse remarries. It will end when your
spouse dies.
If you have more than one natural or legally adopted minor child,
each child will receive an equal share of the death-in-service
benefit. If they are eligible for a monthly benefit, the youngest
child’s age will be used to calculate the benefit. As each child
reaches age 18, his or her share of the benefit will be redistributed
equally among the remaining minor children. The benefit will end
when the last child reaches age 18.
If both parents are living, each parent will receive an equal share
of the death-in-service benefit. If they are eligible for a monthly
benefit, the youngest parent’s age will be used to calculate the
benefit. When one parent dies, the other parent will receive the
deceased parent’s share. The benefit will end when the surviving
parent dies.
Any funds remaining in your member contribution account will be
paid in a lump sum accordingly:
• To your natural or legally adopted adult child or children
• If none, to the descendants of your deceased natural or legally
adopted adult child or children
• If none, to the duly appointed executor or administrator of
your estate
• If none, to your next of kin under the laws of the state where
you resided at the time of your death
More Information – In the
event of your death, Losing a
Loved One: Guide for Families
will help your beneficiary or
survivor know what to do
regarding benefit claims.
The publication is available
at www.varetire.org.
In addition:
• For more information about
workers’ compensation
survivor benefits, contact
your human resource office.
If you are a state employee,
see also the Department
of Human Resource
Management website at
www.dhrm.virginia.gov.
• For more information about
Social Security survivor
benefits, contact the Social
Security Administration toll
free at 1-800-772-1213 or
visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
• For more information about
income taxes, contact the
Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) toll free at 1-800-829-
1040 or visit www.irs.gov.
53 | CH 9 • VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM Plan 1