Before you retire
If you die while eligible to retire, your cobeneficiary (named on an Option 3 Declaration) or else your spouse receives an Option 3 benefit; then children, dependent parents. Survivor Benefits booklet pp. 1-8; Your PERA Benefits p. 4, Survivor Benefits
Not eligible to retire, at least one year of earned service (waived if job-related): children first; spouse gets Option 3 immediately if job-related or with 10+ years (after any children's benefits), or 25% of HAS starting at the spouse's age 60 with 1-10 years. Survivor Benefits booklet pp. 1-8; Your PERA Benefits p. 4, Survivor Benefits
In dollars, on a $6,000 HAS (our examples)
| Survivor | Rule | A month |
|---|---|---|
| One child | 40% of HAS | $2,400 |
| Three children (they share) | 50% of HAS | $3,000 |
| One dependent parent | 25% of HAS | $1,500 |
| Two dependent parents (they share) | 40% of HAS | $2,400 |
| Spouse, 1 to 10 years of service (from the spouse's age 60) | 25% of HAS | $1,500 |
Less than one year of earned service and not job-related: lump-sum payment to the named beneficiary. PERA DC Plan participants are not eligible for these survivor benefits. Survivor Benefits booklet pp. 1-8; Your PERA Benefits p. 4, Survivor Benefits
After you retire
Your payment option decides it. Under Option 2 or 3 your cobeneficiary gets 50% or 100% of your benefit for life. Under Option 1, your named beneficiary gets any remaining account balance with a 100% match. See payment options. Your PERA Benefits p. 8, Benefit Options
From the sources
- If you die while eligible to retire, your designated cobeneficiary, or else your spouse, gets a monthly benefit as if you had retired under Option 3.Survivor Benefits booklet p. 3, Member Eligible for Retirement
- Children's survivor benefits: one child gets 40% of your HAS, and two or more children share 50%. They are paid until age 18, or 23 if the child is a full-time student.Survivor Benefits booklet p. 4
- If you die before you can retire, with 1 to 10 years of service, your spouse gets 25% of your HAS starting at the spouse's age 60. With 10 or more years, your spouse gets an Option 3 benefit right away if there are no qualifying children. With less than one year of service, unless the death is job-related, your beneficiary gets a lump sum.Survivor Benefits booklet pp. 6, 8
Questions
What does my family get if I die before retiring?
If you were eligible to retire, your cobeneficiary (or else your spouse) gets a monthly benefit as if you'd retired under Option 3. If not, benefits go first to children, then to a spouse or dependent parents, depending on your service.
What if I die after I retire?
It depends on your payment option. Under Option 2 or 3 your cobeneficiary keeps getting a monthly benefit. Under Option 1, your named beneficiary gets any account balance left, with a 100% match.
Source: Your PERA Benefits: A Summary of the Colorado PERA Defined Benefit Plan, Revised April 2026, pp. 4, 8. Also: Survivor Benefits booklet pp. 1-8, 3, 4, 6. Last reviewed .