After you retire, it depends on the payment option you chose. Before, it depends on whether you were vested. Related: taxes on a TFFR pension.
If you die before retiring
Non-vested member: refund of account value. Vested member with one beneficiary (or a surviving spouse if none named): refund of account value or a monthly annuity for life. Multiple beneficiaries or an estate: refund only. The statute sets the annuity as the 100% joint and survivor amount; if the member was not yet eligible for an unreduced benefit, without early-retirement reduction and using the disability option factor. Handbook pp. 35-36, Death Prior to Retirement; NDCC 15-39.1-17(2)(a), (b); NDAC 82-05-03-04
The valuation (p. 37) describes the vested pre-retirement death annuity as 'a life annuity of the normal retirement benefit ... with no reduction for the member's age'. The statute says it equals what the beneficiary would get under a 100% joint and survivor annuity (unreduced for early retirement and using the disability factor if the member was not yet eligible for an unreduced benefit). The handbook gives no amount. We don't compute it.
Valuation (2026) p. 37; NDCC 15-39.1-17(2)(b); Handbook p. 35If you die after retiring
Depends on the option: single life, any remaining account value; 100% or 50% J&S, that share for the beneficiary's life; 10- or 20-year certain, the rest of the 120 or 240 payments. Handbook p. 36, Death After Retirement See payment options.
Disability
5 years of North Dakota service, employed by a TFFR employer when disabled, apply within 36 months of the last day of work, total disability for 12 months or more, certified by the board. Benefit: the regular formula with actual service and no age reduction; any option except the PLSO. Handbook pp. 30-32, Disability Retirement Benefit, Calculation; NDCC 15-39.1-18
Divorce
A QDRO must follow NDCC 15-39.1-12.2 and NDAC 82-08 model language and be approved by the TFFR Board before the judge signs. TFFR provides the account balance and an estimated benefit as of the divorce date, but does not calculate present values. Handbook pp. 10-11, Marriage Dissolution
From the sources
- If a vested member dies before retiring, one named beneficiary (or a surviving spouse if none was named) can take the account value or a monthly annuity for life. Multiple beneficiaries or an estate get the account value. A non-vested member's beneficiary gets the account value.Handbook pp. 35-36; NDCC 15-39.1-17(2)
- After retirement, what your beneficiary gets depends on the option you chose; under single life it is any account value you had not yet received.Handbook p. 36, Death After Retirement
- If you are married, your spouse must be your primary beneficiary unless your spouse consents in writing to someone else.Handbook p. 8; NDCC 15-39.1-17(1)
- With 5 years of service and total disability lasting 12 months or more, you may get a disability benefit: the regular formula with your actual service and no age reduction. Apply within 36 months of your last day of work.Handbook pp. 30-32; NDCC 15-39.1-18
Questions
What does my beneficiary get if I die before I retire?
If you're not vested, a refund of your account value. If you're vested and have one beneficiary (or a surviving spouse), the choice of the account value or a monthly annuity for life.
What if I die after I retire?
It depends on the payment option you chose: single life pays any account value not yet received; joint and survivor pays your beneficiary's share for life; term certain pays the rest of the guaranteed months.
Does my spouse have to be my beneficiary?
If you're married, your spouse must be your primary beneficiary unless your spouse consents in writing to someone else.
Source: Teachers' Fund for Retirement Member Handbook, 5/7/2026, pp. 8, 10-11, 30-32, 35-36. Also: NDCC 15-39.1-17, 15-39.1-18; NDAC 82-05-03-04. Last reviewed .