Distribution of benefits upon death of a member
Seattle Mun. Code § 4.36.680
in effect4.36.680 - Distribution of benefits upon death of a member
A. Distribution of benefits upon the death of a member who has been retired for service. See Section 4.36.610.
B. Distribution of benefits upon the death of a member who has been retired for disability. See Section 4.36.650.
C. Distribution of benefits upon the death of a member who has not been retired.
1. Upon the death of any member who has not been retired, such member's accumulated contributions less any payments therefrom already made to such member shall be paid to such member's surviving spouse or domestic partner; or if the deceased member does not have a surviving spouse or domestic partner, or if the surviving spouse prior to the death of such member consented in writing to the naming as hereafter provided of a different beneficiary or beneficiaries and waived in writing all rights to benefits under this subsection 4.36.680.C, then to such member's estate, or to such person or persons as the member shall have nominated by written designation duly executed and filed with the Board.
2. Any surviving spouse or domestic partner, of a member not retired but having at the date of death at least ten years of creditable service as defined in this Chapter 4.36, who is entitled to receive such deceased member's accumulated contributions as provided in this subsection 4.36.680.C, may elect to receive, in lieu of applicable benefits under subsection 4.36.680.C.1, a benefit the equivalent of a survivor's "Option E" retirement benefit based on the amount payable if the member would have been eligible for this benefit based on age and years of creditable service at death. The spouse or domestic partner may, however, elect to receive in lieu of either the above retirement benefit or the benefits under subsection 4.36.680.C.1, a reduced monthly retirement benefit to cease at such spouse's or domestic partner's death and in addition a cash payment not to exceed ½ of the deceased member's accumulated normal contributions. Such cash payment shall reduce the survivor's monthly benefit by the actuarial equivalent value of such payment.
2. The amount paid to a member's estate, beneficiary, or surviving spouse or domestic partner may be reduced by payments made to an alternate payee under a court or department order as contemplated by Section 4.36.630.
3. If the member's estate is not being probated, the Board, in its discretion, may as an alternative to making payment to the estate authorize payment to an heir who would inherit if the estate were probated, such as a surviving spouse named under a community property agreement or in the member's will.
(Ord. 125109, § 49, 2016; Ord. 124574, § 39, 2014; Ord. 121366 § 7, 2003; Ord. 119707 § 8, 1999; Ord. 116802, § 1, 1993; Ord. 116069, § 4, 1992; Ord. 107228 § 4, 1978; Ord. 106798 § 1, 1977; Ord. 106587 § 1, 1977; Ord. 88897, § 4, 1960; Ord. 79403, § 5, 1950; Ord. 78444 § 19, 1949.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT4PE_CH4.36CIEMRESY_4.36.680DIBEUPDEMEFetched: 11/1/2026