If you die while working
Group life insurance of 1 1/2 times your salary, or 3 1/2 times with contributory coverage, plus your contributions. The salary used is: base salary on which contributions were based during the year before death. Guidebook p. 37, Active Group Life Insurance Amounts; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-38
If a member who applied for retirement (not Deferred) and was eligible dies before it takes effect, the beneficiary may choose the active death benefit or the retired optional settlement selected. Guidebook p. 30
If you die after retiring
Your payment option
- Maximum: Under the Maximum Option, contributions with interest not yet paid out go to the beneficiary. Guidebook p. 29
- Option A (100% pop-up): your beneficiary gets 100% of your check for life.
- Option B (75% pop-up): your beneficiary gets 75% of your check for life.
- Option C (50% pop-up): your beneficiary gets 50% of your check for life.
- Option D (25% pop-up): your beneficiary gets 25% of your check for life.
- Option 2 (100% joint and survivor): your beneficiary gets 100% of your check for life.
- Option 3 (50% joint and survivor): your beneficiary gets 50% of your check for life.
See Payment options. Guidebook pp. 29-31; Planning Guide p. 7
Retired life insurance
For members enrolled on or after July 1, 1971, retired life insurance is paid only with 10+ years of service at retirement or a Disability Retirement. Fractions shown: 3/16 (noncontributory) and 7/16 (with contributory) of final salary.
| Retirement type | Noncontributory, under 60 | at 60+ | With contributory, under 60 | at 60+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service retirement | — | 3/16 | — | 7/16 |
| Early or Veteran Retirement | 3/16 | 3/16 | 7/16 | 7/16 |
| Deferred Retirement | None | 3/16 | None | 7/16 |
| Disability retirement | 1 1/2 times | 3/16 | 1 3/4 times | 7/16 |
Fractions are of final salary (base salary on which contributions were based in the year before retirement or the highest contractual year). Guidebook pp. 37-38, Retired Group Life Insurance Amounts; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-44
Accidental death on duty
Death from an accident in the performance of duty (or federal active duty in the reserves or National Guard on or after June 1, 2008): annual pension of 50% of final salary to the widow(er) or partner for life unless they remarry; otherwise children (20/35/50%) or dependent parents (25/40%). Paid in addition to group life insurance. Guidebook pp. 40-41, Accidental Death Benefit; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-46
Deferred members
If a deferred retiree dies before the Deferred Retirement starts, the beneficiary receives a return of contributions; there is no life insurance benefit. Guidebook p. 26, Deferred Retirement (See leaving teaching.)
Health coverage for survivors
A spouse's or partner's coverage ends at the end of the month of the retiree's death; they are offered continuation at their own cost. The State doesn't pay for survivors' coverage. Planning Guide p. 11, Survivor Coverage (See retiree health.)
What the NJDPB says
- If you die while working, your beneficiaries get group life insurance of 1 1/2 times salary (3 1/2 times with contributory coverage) plus your contributions with interest.Guidebook p. 37
- After retirement with 10+ years of service, life insurance is 3/16 of final salary (7/16 with contributory coverage); disability retirees get more before age 60.Guidebook pp. 37-38
- A death from an accident on duty pays the spouse or partner a pension of 50% of final salary for life (unless they remarry), or children or dependent parents if there is no spouse.Guidebook pp. 40-41; N.J.S.A. 18A:66-46
- Under any option, if you and your beneficiary die before your contributions plus interest have been paid out, the rest goes to your estate (Maximum Option: to your beneficiary).Guidebook p. 29
Questions
What does my family get if I die while still teaching?
Group life insurance of 1 1/2 times your salary (3 1/2 times if you have contributory coverage), plus a return of your contributions.
What does my family get if I die after retiring?
It depends on the payment option you chose. Under the Maximum, any of your contributions not yet paid back go to your beneficiary. With 10+ years of service there is also retired life insurance.
Is there a pension for a spouse if I die on duty?
Death from an accident in the performance of duty (or federal active duty in the reserves or National Guard on or after June 1, 2008): annual pension of 50% of final salary to the widow(er) or partner for life unless they remarry; otherwise children (20/35/50%) or dependent parents (25/40%). Paid in addition to group life insurance.
Source: TPAF Member Guidebook, July 2026 (SP-0733-0726), pp. 26, 29-31, 37-38, 40-41. Also: Retirement Planning Member Guidebook (March 2025), p. 7. Statute: N.J.S.A. 18A:66-38, 18A:66-44, 18A:66-46. Last reviewed .