How to Report a Death to CalPERS: Steps and What Happens Next

Report the Death as Soon as Possible

Speed matters. CalPERS retirement allowance payments stop on the date of death — but direct deposits and warrants already in the pipeline don't stop automatically. Every day you wait increases the chance of overpayments that CalPERS is legally required to recover, often by instructing the bank to reverse the direct deposit from the retiree's account.

Ways to Notify CalPERS

Phone: 888-225-7377 (888-CalPERS). Have the deceased member's full name, Social Security number or 10-digit CalPERS ID, exact date of death, marital status, and your own contact information ready. This is the fastest method if you need to speak with someone immediately.

Online: CalPERS website. Submit a Death Notification online. If you prefer to submit the survivor application online, call CalPERS to request a secure link. CalPERS will verify the information and initiate the claim process.

By mail. Send the death notification to CalPERS Disability & Survivor Benefits Division, Survivor Benefits, P.O. Box 942715, Sacramento, CA 94229-2715.

Regional offices. CalPERS has offices in Sacramento, Glendale, Fresno, and several other California locations. For in-person help, schedule a Survivors & Beneficiaries appointment through myCalPERS or by calling 888-225-7377.

For active employees, contact the employing department about its benefits. The family should still report the death to CalPERS directly to start the survivor claim.

What Happens Immediately After Notification

Monthly payments stop. CalPERS halts all retirement allowance payments as of the date of death. Any payment for a period after the date of death is an overpayment.

Direct deposit recall. CalPERS contacts the retiree's bank to reverse any post-death deposits. If the money has already been spent from a joint account, the surviving spouse may face an overpayment recovery demand. This is one of the most stressful parts of the process — preserving any post-death deposits in the account until CalPERS resolves the recall avoids this problem.

Application package generation. After the death is reported, CalPERS sends a customized survivor benefits application package to the surviving spouse, partner, or designated beneficiary. The forms and instructions are specific to the deceased member's circumstances — active vs. retired, Classic vs. PEPRA, employer contract provisions.

What Information CalPERS Needs from You

When you call or go online, be ready with:

• Deceased member's full legal name
• Social Security number or CalPERS ID (the 10-digit number on any CalPERS correspondence)
• Exact date of death
• Marital status and name of surviving spouse or partner
• Your name and relationship to the member
• Your phone number and mailing address

For Active Employee Deaths

The employer plays a larger role. In some cases, the employing department notifies CalPERS directly; it also continues health/dental/vision coverage for eligible dependents for 120 days automatically and coordinates with HR to generate final pay and leave documentation. The surviving family should confirm CalPERS received the notification and contact CalPERS about the formal survivor benefit claim.

What Comes Next

After CalPERS receives the completed application and all certified supporting documents, processing takes approximately 45 days. The most common delays: death certificates that don't state the cause and manner of death, missing prior divorce decrees, and incomplete family history disclosures on the application form.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of everything that follows the death notification — from document assembly through benefit elections and tax setup — the CalPERS Survivor & Death Benefits Guide covers the full sequence.

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