If you die while an active, deferred, disabled, or retired member of CCCERA, your retirement plan provides benefits for your survivors (beneficiaries).

The amount and benefit structure depends on several variables, including the circumstances of your death, your length of service, your relationship to your beneficiaries, and whether you are an active or a retired member.

When you enter membership, you designate a beneficiary in the event of your death. As your working life progresses, it's important to keep this information up to date. For example, if you are single when you begin your career, your choice of beneficiary may change if you marry or enter into a domestic partnership.

A monthly payment of 60% of the disability retirement benefit you would have received if you had been eligible for a non-job connected disability retirement.

Your minor children (under 18, or 22 years of age if a full-time student):

Your minor children (under 18, or 22 years of age if a full-time student):

"Active Death" Benefit: Information and Required Form

"Active Death" is the term used to describe the death of a vested CCCERA member during active (current) employment with Contra Costa County, or Special District employers. In this circumstance, the retirement system offers a continuing monthly benefit to eligible survivors. The Active Death Benefit allows a benefit payable to your eligible spouse or minor children, calculated as if you had been disabled immediately prior to death. Generally, this calculation creates a larger benefit for your survivors. The active death benefit varies depending on your retirement tier; however, to qualify for this benefit, you must complete the Active Death Disability Retirement Form, and have it on file with CCCERA to be valid.

The eligibility requirement for this benefit only is not the same for all tiers. Tier 1 and Safety Tier members have a 5 year (vesting) eligibility period. Tier 2 and Tier 3 members have a 10 year (vesting) eligibility period. Regardless of your retirement tier, the completion of the Active Death Disability Retirement Form allows you to elect an Option 2 benefit while an active member. The Option 2 benefit provides your beneficiary(ies) with the maximum benefit possible, a 100% continuance of the non-job connected disability retirement to which you would have been entitled had you qualified for this benefit immediately before your death. If you are unmarried (or not in a State of California Registered Domestic Partnership) your designated beneficiary(ies) can be one or more individuals. In the event of multiple beneficiaries, the continuance is divided equally between the survivors.

The Active Death Disability Retirement Application Form is only in effect while you are an active member. When you retire, new retirement option forms are completed. At that time, you may change your option to provide the best possible benefit for you during your retirement years.

Call the Retirement Office and ask to speak with the counselor who handles active employee deaths. The counselor will need some information, such as date of death, member's social security number, and your relationship to the member. CCCERA will send a letter following this initial contact, with instructions and a request for any additional forms or documentation required to process the death benefit. CCCERA also receives a "separation notice" from the member's employer.

The process includes verifying the beneficiary(ies) listed on the member's enrollment affidavit, determining the appropriate benefit option, and calculating the benefit. The timeline for completion is dependent on the complexities of the estate.