Unclaimed deceased member benefits

When PERS learns of a member’s death, PERS tries to contact beneficiaries, but sometimes beneficiaries cannot be located.  

For these situations, PERS keeps and regularly updates a list of deceased members for whom PERS benefits are still payable — Unclaimed Deceased Member Benefits List.  

For privacy reasons, the list does not give the names of people to whom benefits are payable, only information about the deceased member.  

In some cases, the benefits will be due to the deceased member’s estate; in others, the benefits will be payable to individual beneficiaries.  

If you find a family member on the list, complete the Deceased Member Benefit Inquiry form and mail or fax it to PERS.  

Fill in as much information as possible to assist us in evaluating whether the deceased member and your family member are the same person.  

PERS will review the account to determine what benefits are payable and to whom.  

PERS will then contact and inform you of our findings. If you are entitled to a benefit, we also will provide information about how to claim your benefit.  

Allow 30 days to receive an initial response from PERS after your inquiry form has been received.  

How to search the unclaimed list

• Click on the Unclaimed Deceased Member Benefits List.
• Once the list page opens, hit your control+F keys to bring up a search. Type the name you would like to search for in the window that comes up, and hit your enter key.

Note that the address shown on the list is the last known address PERS had on record for the member. This address is provided to help you determine if the deceased member listed is the same as your family member.  

When OSGP learns of a member’s death, OSGP tries to contact beneficiaries, but sometimes beneficiaries cannot be located.  

For these situations, OSGP keeps and regularly updates a list of deceased members for whom OSGP benefits are still payable — Deceased Participants with a Balance.  

For privacy reasons, the list does not give the names of people to whom benefits are payable, only information about the deceased member.  

In some cases, the benefits will be due to the deceased participant’s Estate or Trust; in others, the benefits will be payable to individual beneficiaries.  

If you find a family member on the list, please contact OSGP at 888-320-7377, press option2, email to OSGPCustSvc.PERS@pers.oregon.gov, or schedule an appointment to visit PERS/OSGP Salem Office at 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301, OSGP is open from 8a-5p Monday through Friday, except holidays.  

Provide as much information as possible to assist us in evaluating whether the deceased member and your family member are the same person, see checklist below:  

• Name of deceased participant
• Date of death/date of birth
• Relationship to deceased participant

OSGP will review the account to determine what benefits are payable and to whom.  

OSGP will then contact and inform you of our findings. If you are entitled to a benefit, we also will provide information about how to claim your benefit.  

Allow 1 business day to receive an initial response from OSGP that your inquiry has been received and assigned. Once research is complete, OSGP will contact you to let you know if you are a beneficiary and how to complete the beneficiary process.  

How to search the unclaimed list

• Click on the Deceased Participants with a Balance.
• Once the list page opens, hit your control+F keys to bring up a search. Type the name you would like to search for in the window that comes up and hit your enter key.

Member deaths

Need to report the death of an OSGP participant? Have questions about the options available to their beneficiaries? Check out the Oregon Savings Growth Plan webpage for more information:  

• Oregon Savings Growth Plan