DEATH BEFORE RETIREMENT
If a member dies before retirement, their beneficiary or designee(s) will either receive a refund of their contributions or a monthly benefit.
If an active member with less than two years of service credit dies, their beneficiary or designee(s) will receive a refund of contributions and no pension benefit will be paid.
If an active member with two or more years of service credit dies, their beneficiary of designee(s) are eligible to receive a pension benefit.
SERVICE DEATH
If an active member dies on the job as a result of a job-related injury or illness, ERF will pay service death benefits to the member’s beneficiary or designee(s). The death benefit is calculated on the greater of 10 years of service credit or the member’s actual service credit. The minimum monthly death benefit is $1,000. Designees will receive a one-time commuted lump sum payment.
NON-SERVICE DEATH
If an active member with two or more years of service credit dies because of an injury or illness that is not the result of City employment, ERF will pay non-service death benefits. The death benefit is calculated on the greater of 10 years of service credit or the member’s actual service credit.