Massachusetts State Board of Retirement (MSRB) administers the Massachusetts State Employees Retirement System (MSERS) for state employees. It is a contributory, defined benefit retirement system governed by M.G.L. Chapter 32. The System provides retirement, disability, survivor and death benefits to members and their eligible beneficiaries. 


MSRB Option D:

At retirement, members have the choice of selecting three payment options, A, B, or C, which determine how your benefits are paid. The MSERS allows members to select an Option D member survivor allowance. This Option D Form is used to nominate an eligible beneficiary to receive the Option C retirement allowance payable in the event the member dies before being retired. 

  • Option D is an optional benefit under M.G.L. Chapter 32 § 12 (2). This Option would provide for a lifetime benefit for the beneficiary in the event of the member passing away while still in service. 
  • The Option D form may not be required if a member wants an eligible spouse to receive a lifetime benefit. An eligible spouse is someone that has been married to a member for a year or more. However, for a spouse to elect this benefit, the member must have accrued at least two years of creditable service.
  • If the member does not designate an Option D beneficiary, and if his/her spouse does not elect to receive a lifetime allowance, the member’s accumulated deductions will be paid in a lump sum to his/her surviving beneficiaries of record and no lifetime allowance can be paid. 
  • If a member wishes for their spouse to receive this benefit and he or she has been married for less than one year, then they must file this form. 
  • The distribution of benefits following a member’s death in service may also be impacted by a member’s prior marriage and any related court orders.
  • The Option D beneficiary is no longer valid when you retire. You would then select either Option A, B, or C. 

Option D for Active Members (MSRB) | Mass.gov  – This article provides specific information on Option D including eligible beneficiaries, retirement allowance, and how to file the form with the MSRB. 


Option D Form – https://www.mass.gov/doc/option-d-form-for-active-members-msrb  


The following two Guide to Survivor Benefits lists information on Option D based on a member’s start date. Please select the applicable Guide based on your start date.


MSRB Beneficiary Change Form:

  • This Form is used to nominate a beneficiary (s) to receive a lump sum of the member’s accumulated deductions pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 32, Section 11, Return of accumulated total deductions and amounts due to beneficiaries of deceased members. 
  • If the member does not designate an Option D beneficiary and if his or her eligible spouse does not elect to receive a lifetime allowance, the member’s accumulated deductions will be paid in a lump sum to the beneficiary (s) he or she has designated on the State Board of Retirement Beneficiary Change Form.  
  • The Beneficiary Change Form is also used to designate the surviving beneficiary (s) who would receive the maximum allowable payment of the sick and vacation leave balance. 
  • Please refer to the Beneficiary Change Form and applicable link: https://www.mass.gov/doc/beneficiary-change-form-msrb-0/download

State Board of Retirement
One Winter Street, 8th Floor
Boston, MA  02108
Telephone: (617) 367-9333

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