After your death, your beneficiary will receive a return of your contributions plus interest at four percent compounded annually on your prior year ending balance, through your date of death. This is a lump-sum payment. If you meet certain eligibility requirements, a monthly Survivor’s Alternate Benefit may be paid to your beneficiary instead of a return of contributions if you have only one eligible beneficiary living at the time of your death.

The monthly Surviving Spouse Benefit may be payable if your spouse is your one eligible beneficiary living at the time of your death and you die while in active service (while a contributing member of CJRS) after reaching age 50 with five years of service.

If you die while still employed (while being paid a salary), your beneficiary will receive a single lump-sum payment. The payment is equal to your final annual rate of compensation at the date of death. In addition, this same beneficiary will receive a return of your contributions with interest or, if eligible, a Surviving Spouse Benefit. Lump-sum death benefits are both state of North Carolina and federally-taxed distributions.