When PERS learns of a member’s death, PERS tries to contact beneficiaries, but sometimes
beneficiaries cannot be located.
For these situations, PERS keeps and regularly updates a list of deceased members for whom
PERS benefits are still payable — the
Unclaimed Deceased Member Benefits List.
For privacy reasons, the list does not give the names of people to whom benefits are payable,
only information about the deceased member.
In some cases, the benefits will be due to the deceased member’s estate; in others, the
benefits will be payable to individual beneficiaries.
If you find a family member on the list, complete the
Deceased Member Benefit Inquiry
form and mail or fax it to PERS.
Fill in as much information as possible to assist us in evaluating whether the deceased member
and your family member are the same person.
PERS will review the account to determine what benefits are payable and to whom.
PERS will then contact and inform you of our findings. If you are entitled to a benefit, we
also will provide information about how to claim your benefit.
Allow 30 days to receive an initial response from PERS after your inquiry form has been
received.
How to search the unclaimed list
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Click on the
Unclaimed Deceased Member Benefits List.
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Once the list page opens, hit your control+F keys to bring up a search. Type the name you
would like to search for in the window that comes up, and hit your enter key.
Note that the address shown on the list is the last known address PERS had on record for the
member. This address is provided to help you determine if the deceased member listed is the
same as your family member.