Survivor Benefits

What to Expect After NYCERS Identifies You as the Beneficiary of a Survivor Benefit  

After NYCERS confirms you are the deceased’s rightful beneficiary, you will receive one Claimant Statement for each survivor benefit you are entitled to via mail. The letter that accompanies your Claimant Statement details the survivor benefit type, benefit amount payable, and provides instructions to fill out the Claimant Statement and a list of Supporting Documents you must provide to NYCERS.   

In order for NYCERS to release payment, you must return your properly completed Claimant Statements to NYCERS with the supporting documentation outlined in its instructions.  

The time frame for processing a survivor benefit typically takes up to 90 days but may take longer depending on the type of survivor benefit and the availability of required supporting documentation. Certain member accounts require additional processing time due to outstanding loans, unresolved service, and other factors unique to that member’s account. A NYCERS representative will advise you accordingly throughout the survivor benefits process.  

If you need to update your contact information before your Survivor Benefit is processed, please visit nycers.org/ADD-URL. 

Supporting Documents Typically Required with all Survivor Benefit Claimant Statements 

Supporting documentation required for payment of a survivor benefit to an individual can vary depending on the survivor benefit type, but typically, NYCERS will require that the identified beneficiary include the following supporting documentation with their Claimant statement:  

• Proof of the Claimant’s Name and any history of name changes  
• Proof of the Claimant’s Birthdate (e.g. Valid Driver’s License or Passport, Marriage or Divorce documents, birth certificate, etc.).  
• Copy of the Claimant’s Social Security Card.
  • If you don’t have a Social Security Card, you must obtain one by visiting www.ssa.gov.
    • If you are not eligible to apply for a Social Security Card, visit www.irs.gov, then download Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding. Complete Form W-7 and submit to the IRS. After the IRS provides you with an ITIN, Complete Form W-8BEN and submit it to NYCERS. 
• The Letters of Administration or Letters of Testamentary (not required if the member has a valid beneficiary designation on file). 
• The deceased’s Death Certificate (if one is not already on file) 

Supporting Documents for Executors, Administrators, or Fiduciaries of an Estate  

When a Survivor Benefit is payable to an Estate, the process may involve the Surrogate’s Court and one of two legal processes: Probate or Administration. 

Letters of Administration (LOA) are issued by the Surrogate’s Court when someone passes away without leaving a Will. These letters appoint one or more Administrators to manage the Estate and give them the authority they need to act on its behalf. 

Letters Testamentary (LOT) are issued by the Surrogate’s Court when the person who passed away did leave a Will. These letters appoint an Executor or Co‑Executors and give them the authority to handle the Estate. If there are two or more Co‑Executors listed, NYCERS requires a copy of the Will along with the LOT. If the Will isn’t provided, all Co‑Executors must act together when handling any NYCERS transactions. 

When the survivor benefit is below a certain value, or when the member designated their estate as a beneficiary, Letters of Administration and/or Testamentary may not be required.  

Requirements for Letters of Administration (LOA) or Letters Testamentary (LOT) 

If you are notified to submit an LOA or LOT, please ensure that the document adheres to the following requirements:  

1. The LOA or LOT must be dated within the last 6 months. 
2. It must be an original document — not a scan or photocopy — unless it was issued by the State of North Carolina. 
3. The LOA or LOT must clearly give the Administrator or Executor the authority to collect funds or request information from NYCERS, or must have no limits on the Administrator’s or Executor’s authority. 

You may submit your Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary either as a standalone document or together with your Claimant Statement. These documents can be mailed to NYCERS or delivered in person at NYCERS’ Walk‑in Center. 

Supporting Documents for Guardians of a Minor Beneficiary  

Guardians of a Minor designated on Form #137 by a NYCERS member must set up a Uniform Transfer to Minor’s Act (UTMA) account and submit a copy of the minor’s Social Security Card with the Claimant statement. NYCERS will only issue the minor’s survivor benefit by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) to their UTMA account.  

Guardians of a Minor appointed by the Surrogate’s Court must submit copies of all of the following supporting documents with their Claimant statement (in addition to the original Surrogate’s Certificate stating that the Letters of Guardianship have been issued and not revoked): 

1. The minor’s birth certificate, and 
2. The minor’s Social Security Card, and 
3. The Guardian’s photo identification/driver’s license. 

If you cannot obtain one or more the documents listed above, please read the Proof of Identity Fact Sheet #711 and provide alternative documents.