SURS law requires that 1 percent of your earnings be designated to help fund a survivor annuity. In the event of a member’s death, a spouse, unmarried minor and disabled children, and income-dependent parents may be eligible for the survivor annuity.
If you do not have a qualifying survivor at the time you retire, SURS law allows you to receive a refund of the 1 percent survivor contribution, plus the accrued interest. The refund may be taken as either a lump sum or as an additional monthly annuity. Click here for more information on Survivor Refunds.