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When you started working in public employment, you should have designated a beneficiary. If you didn’t, it’s not too late. And you can change your beneficiary at any time. To do so, simply complete and return the Beneficiary Designation form (PDF, 176 KB) or log into My Account. (If you are married and wish to designate someone other than a spouse as the sole primary beneficiary, your spouse must also sign the form.)
You can name any person (or people), charity, church or trust as your primary or secondary beneficiary. You may not designate a commercial entity as your beneficiary.
At your death, if you have not designated a beneficiary, your estate may become your beneficiary. Having a will does not affect your beneficiary designation.
FAQ Accordion Title
Frequently Asked Questions
If, at your death, you have not designated a beneficiary, your estate may become your beneficiary. Your will does not affect your beneficiary designation.
If you divorce, legal documents such as an IPERS Qualified Domestic Relations Order may supersede your designation. Please contact IPERS to learn more about QDROs and other legal orders such as tax levies, child support, etc.
Yes. However, IPERS cannot make payments directly to minors. Depending on the amount that is to be paid, IPERS can make payments to an adult custodian or to a court-established conservator or trustee. Or the minor beneficiary can wait until he/she is 18 to receive the money. (The minor’s legal guardian should contact IPERS to ensure that waiting to claim a death benefit will not cause the death benefit to be forfeited.)
If you have designated one person as your beneficiary, he or she may be eligible for a lifetime monthly benefit or a lump-sum payment. Visit the Beneficiaries page for additional information. If you’ve named more than one person, or an estate or trust, as your beneficiary, the only payout option is a lump-sum payment. Lump-sum payments may be rolled over to avoid tax penalties. Note: It is important to keep your beneficiary designation current. Check your beneficiary designation in My Account.
It is important to promptly designate a new beneficiary if your beneficiary dies.
You can name any person (or people), charity, church or trust as your primary or secondary beneficiary. You may not designate a commercial entity, such as a funeral home, as your beneficiary.
Yes. Your beneficiary designations are in effect until you submit the form again, designating a different beneficiary. You can do this any time. (If you are already retired or if you are retired re-employed, please contact IPERS to discuss how and whether you can change your beneficiary.)
Yes. If you name two or more people as either your primary or secondary beneficiaries, each will receive an equal amount. Designating a secondary beneficiary is not required.
It's easy to designate or change your beneficiary through My Account. Designations within My Account are permissible for unmarried members and married members who designate their spouse as the primary beneficiary. If you are married and want to designate someone else or multiple persons as your primary beneficiary, complete and submit the Beneficiary Designation form.