Claimants & Beneficiaries
If you are a beneficiary or loved one of a TRS member who has passed away, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. The process of submitting a death benefit claim may seem daunting, but we’re here to help you. If you need to speak to someone, our Member Services Representatives are just a phone call away at 1 (888) 8-NYC-TRS (869-2877). Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except on official New York City holidays.
Reporting a Death
The death of a TRS member should be reported as soon as possible, by phone or letter. Anyone can report the death to TRS.
When reporting a death, please provide the following information about the deceased member: name, TRS membership/retirement number, the last 4 digits of the Social Security number, and date of death. You will also need to provide your name and contact information.
After a Death is Reported
Once TRS verifies the member’s death, we will contact all of the member’s beneficiaries by letter and provide instructions for filing a death benefit claim.
TRS must receive an original death certificate or certified copy before any benefits can be paid. Only hard copies are accepted.
Filing a Benefit Claim
The easiest way to claim a benefit is to file online in the secure section of TRS’ website.
If you have received a Benefit Notification Letter from TRS, you can use the claim code in that letter to register for access. You can then create a username and password and start the claim process.
After a claim is filed, death benefit payments can be made within two months in most cases—but no payments are issued until TRS has received all required documentation, including return of any payments issued after the member’s date of death.
More Information
Death benefits and processing differ if the member died before or after retiring. For distinctions, read Guide to Death Benefits for Beneficiaries of Non-Retired TRS Members and Guide to Death Benefits for Beneficiaries of Retired TRS Members.
Additional details about TRS survivor benefits are available in the Beneficiaries FAQs on this website. You’ll find information about the benefits payable under various payment options, types of death benefits, taxes withheld from benefits, and more.