Report the Death of a CalSTRS Member, Benefit Recipient, Option Beneficiary or Designated Recipient

The following questions and answers apply specifically to the Notification of Death you can submit online. If you have specific questions beyond what is answered here, Contact CalSTRS for further assistance.

• What information do I need in order to notify CalSTRS of the death of a member, benefit recipient, option beneficiary or designated recipient?

  You will need the following information to report the death of a CalSTRS member or benefit recipient:

  • Full Name
  • Social Security Number or CalSTRS Client Identification Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Date of Death

• Can I submit a Notification of Death online to report the death of a member, benefit recipient, option beneficiary or designated recipient?

  You can report the death of a CalSTRS member, benefit recipient, option beneficiary or designated recipient online from myCalSTRS or from CalSTRS.com by selecting , Notification of Death.

• What information do I need to provide as the primary contact for a Notification of Death?

  As the informant you will need to provide the following information:

  • Full Name
  • Your Relationship to the Deceased
  • Mailing Address
  • Primary Phone Number
  • E-Mail Address

• Why is my IP Address captured online to submit a Notification of Death?
  
  

  Every device connected to the public Internet is assigned a unique number known as an Internet Protocol (IP) Address. In order to ensure that the Notification of Death is valid and coming from a reliable source, CalSTRS must identify where the notification has originated.

  For more information, view CalSTRS Conditions of Use.

• What is an Alternate Contact and do I need to include one on the Notification of Death?
  
  

  If you are not the Primary Contact for the deceased, you must complete the Alternate Contact Information section, so CalSTRS knows who to contact regarding this Notification of Death.

• Can I attach a copy of the death certificate with the Notification of Death submitted online?
  
  

  You can attach an electronic copy of the death certificate to the Notification of Death you submit online.

  If you do not have an electronic copy on file, you can submit the death certificate to CalSTRS by U.S. Postal Service, fax or in-person delivery to a local CalSTRS counseling office:

  
  

  Mailing Address: CalSTRS P.O. Box 15275 MS 43 Sacramento, CA 95851-0275 Fax Number: (916) 414-5783 Hand-Delivery Local Counseling Office

  
  
• How do I attach a copy of the death certificate with the Notification of Death online?
  
  

  Select the Browse button to browse and select the electronic death certificate stored on your personal computer. By selecting the Browse button, you will be able to upload and attach a copy with the Notification of Death you submit online.

  This step is optional. If you do not have an electronic copy on file, you can submit the death certificate to CalSTRS by U.S. Postal Service, fax or hand-deliver a hard-copy of the death certificate as a follow up to the Notification of Death you submit online.

• Can I attach a death certificate after I submit a Notification of Death online?
  
  

  The death certificate can only be attached at the time of the original Notification of Death submitted online. Once the Notification of Death has been submitted electronically, you must mail, fax or hand-deliver a copy of the death certificate to CalSTRS separately.

• How will I know that the Notification of Death has been submitted to CalSTRS?
  
  

  Once you complete all of the required fields and select the Submit button for Notification of Death, you will receive an immediate confirmation message sent to your e-mail address.

• What happens after I have notified CalSTRS of the death of a member, benefit recipient, option beneficiary or designated recipient?
  
  

  A caseworker will contact the Primary Contact identified on the Notification of Death submitted online. The caseworker will review the information submitted and discuss next steps.