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What is Death Benefit #2?

Under Death Benefit #2, the benefit would equal one year's salary upon the completion of one year of service, two years' salary upon the completion of two years of service, and three years' salary upon the completion of three or more years of service. If the member remained in service to age 61, the in-service death benefit would be reduced by 5% for each succeeding year until age 70, when the benefit would equal 50% of the applicable amount. This description assumes that the member was in active service and died with at least one year of Total Service Credit since last joining TRS.)

As of October 1, 2000, beneficiaries of Tier II, III, and IV members receive the greater of either Death Benefit #1 or Death Benefit #2, even if the member had elected Death Benefit #1 coverage. Members who joined TRS after January 1, 2001 (including Tier VI members) are automatically enrolled in Death Benefit #2.

The following table shows the age-reduction factors that affect the benefit payable under Death Benefit #2.

Age at Date of Death
(While in Active Service) 
Percentage of Benefit Payable After Reduction
60 or under 100%
61 97%
62 94%
63 91%
64 88%
65 85%
66 82%
67 79%
68 76%
69 73%
70 70%

Note: Different reduction factors applied for members who died before July 1, 2021.