At the time of your death, it is important that someone notify MSRS as soon as possible

If you die before you were eligible to apply for a retirement or disability benefit, your heirs will be entitled to either a refund or a monthly survivor benefit.

If you die after you have applied for a retirement benefit and you chose a Joint-and-Survivor option, your survivor begins receiving the monthly benefit for his or her lifetime. If your survivor dies first, notify MSRS immediately so that we can adjust your retirement benefit to the Single-Life annuity amount which is greater that the benefit you are receiving. If a Single-Life option was chosen, monthly benefits end with your death. If a balance of your contributions remains in your account, it is paid in the following order: to your beneficiary, spouse, children, parents, estate.