CalSTRS Dependent Child Survivor Benefits: Eligibility, Age Limits, and Payment Rules

Children Can Receive Monthly Survivor Benefits

When a CalSTRS member dies before retirement, eligible dependent children may receive their own monthly survivor benefit — separate from any benefit paid to the surviving spouse. The rules differ under Coverage A and Coverage B.

Coverage A: Child Benefits Are Central

Under Coverage A (members who joined CalSTRS before October 16, 1992 and did not elect Coverage B), the survivor benefit structure revolves around dependent children.

A surviving spouse caring for dependent children receives a monthly family allowance of 50% of the member's final compensation, plus 10% for each eligible dependent child, up to a 90% maximum. If there is no surviving spouse, contact CalSTRS to confirm what benefit is payable to eligible dependent children.

Without dependent children, a Coverage A surviving spouse gets no immediate monthly benefit unless the deceased member was eligible for service retirement and filed a Preretirement Election of an Option (Form SR0307). Without that election, the spouse must wait until age 60 to claim a survivor benefit allowance or choose a lump-sum refund of accumulated DB contributions and interest.

Coverage A eligibility depends on whether the child meets the applicable dependent-child rules. Confirm the benefit's duration and any disability-related extension with CalSTRS.

Coverage B: Children Get an Additional 10%

Under Coverage B (members who joined CalSTRS on or after October 16, 1992, plus earlier members who elected Coverage B), the surviving spouse already receives 50% of the projected retirement benefit regardless of whether children exist.

Each eligible dependent child receives an additional 10% of the projected benefit, subject to statutory family maximum caps. These payments are made directly for the child's benefit until the child reaches age 21.

Coverage B child benefits are not subject to the public-benefit offsets that apply to Coverage A family allowances.

Payment to Minor Children

CalSTRS cannot pay benefits directly to a minor. If a child is under 18, one of the following must be in place:

• A court-appointed guardian of the minor's estate submits certified letters of guardianship
• The member established a UTMA (Uniform Transfers to Minors Act) custodianship on Form MS0002, naming an adult custodian
• If neither exists, benefits are held until the child turns 18

For children with disabilities, directing funds into a Special Needs Trust prevents the CalSTRS payout from disqualifying the child from Medi-Cal, Supplemental Security Income, or other needs-based programs. The trust must be certified using Form SB1854/DS1854 and reviewed by CalSTRS legal counsel before payout.

After Retirement: No Separate Child Benefit

Once a member retires, the active-member dependent-child allowances described above no longer apply. Any monthly continuation depends on the retiree's option election; one-time death benefits follow the Recipient Designation form (MS0002). A retiree who wants to provide for a child can use the Compound Option to name the child as a secondary beneficiary alongside a spouse.

Navigating Child Claims

Child benefit claims add complexity — guardianship paperwork, trust certifications, and age verification on top of the standard survivor claim process. The CalSTRS Survivor Benefits Guide covers dependent child benefits alongside the spouse claim workflow.

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