It is important for a survivor of a pension recipient to notify NHRS when a retiree or a beneficiary dies. Such notification ensures that NHRS appropriately adjusts the monthly benefit or pays any remaining undistributed member contributions to the designated beneficiary(ies).

Other reasons why it is important to notify NHRS:

• A retiree may have elected a survivorship option for a spouse or beneficiary, resulting in lifetime pension payments that do not begin automatically when the retiree dies.
• A retiree may have elected a “pop up” survivorship option that entitles the retiree to receive the maximum benefit allowance if his or her beneficiary died first. The benefit does not revert to the maximum amount automatically.
• Adjustments will need to be made to Medical Subsidy payments, if applicable.
• If a retiree elected survivorship option 2, 3, 4a, or 4b, and the designated beneficiary for that option was the retiree’s spouse at the time of retirement, the retiree may designate a pension for a new spouse in the event that the spouse at the time of retirement dies and the retiree subsequently remarries.

When NHRS is not notified of the death of a retiree and continues to pay the pension (and Medical Subsidy, if applicable), NHRS must recoup payments that should have ended upon the retiree’s death.

For more information regarding the death of a retiree or beneficiary, call Retiree Services at (603) 410-3500, Press 2.