Texas first responder pensions and survivor benefits: TMRS, TCDRS and fire fighter pensions
Many Texas first responders earn a pension through the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) for cities, the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) for counties, or a local fire fighters’ retirement system under the Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act (TLFFRA). When a member dies, the survivor reports the death, the system reviews the beneficiary on file, and the beneficiary completes the plan’s death benefit application. Pension benefits are separate from, and in addition to, the state’s Chapter 615 line-of-duty benefit.
Which pension plan is your family member in?
It depends on the employer. City police and fire departments are often in TMRS or a local fire fighters’ system; county sheriff’s offices are often in TCDRS; some departments have their own plans. The quickest answer is the department’s HR office or a pay stub, which usually shows retirement contributions. The Texas Pension Review Board also keeps a Public Pension Search Tool of Texas public retirement systems (PRB).
What happens with TMRS when a member dies?
Call TMRS at 800-924-8677 as soon as possible. Have ready the person’s name, Social Security number, date of death, family contact information (name, relationship, address, phone) and marital status. TMRS reviews the beneficiary designations and benefit options, then sends the beneficiary a letter, usually within 1 to 2 weeks, listing the benefits payable and the applications to complete. If nothing more is due, TMRS tells the family in writing (TMRS).
Cities can also participate in the TMRS supplemental death benefits fund. Where they do, a covered member’s death pays a lump sum equal to the member’s current annual salary (Tex. Gov’t Code 854.603). Ask HR whether your city participates.
What happens with TCDRS when a member dies?
If a member dies before retiring and had four or more years of TCDRS service with money still in the account, the beneficiary can choose a lifetime monthly payment, starting right away. The amount is based on the member’s deposits, interest and employer matching. If the member had less service, TCDRS pays the account balance, with interest, to the beneficiaries (TCDRS).
Almost half of TCDRS employers also offer an optional Group Term Life program, so ask the county whether it applies. TCDRS Member Services: 800-823-7782 (TCDRS).
How do fire fighter pensions work in Texas?
Under TLFFRA, paid, part-paid and volunteer fire departments in participating cities run their own local retirement systems. Each system’s local board sets plan design, contributions and investments, and the systems are entirely locally funded (Texas Pension Review Board). That means survivor benefits differ from one city’s fund to the next. The fund’s administrator or board secretary is the person to call, and the plan document or member handbook explains the survivor benefit.
What do survivors typically need to file?
- Certified copies of the death certificate.
- The member’s Social Security number and member or employee number.
- The beneficiary’s ID and Social Security number.
- The marriage certificate, and the children’s birth certificates if they are beneficiaries.
- Bank information for direct deposit.
- The plan’s death benefit application, which the system sends after the death is reported.
Requirements differ by plan, so always follow the list the system sends you. The full family list is in the first responder family checklist.
How does the pension fit with line-of-duty benefits?
They are separate. After a line-of-duty death, a Texas family may also receive the Chapter 615 benefit through ERS, which is not part of any retirement plan (ERS), and the federal PSOB benefit. See Texas line-of-duty death benefits and the PSOB guide.
What can you check today?
- Log in to your pension account or call member services and confirm your beneficiary.
- Ask HR whether your employer offers a supplemental death benefit or group term life.
- Write the plan name, your member number and the phone number where your family can find them.
▶ Watch how to set it up, step by step.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I report a death to TMRS?
Call TMRS at 800-924-8677 as soon as possible with the person’s name, Social Security number, date of death, family contact information and marital status. TMRS usually writes to the beneficiary within 1 to 2 weeks.
What does TCDRS pay if a member dies before retirement?
If the member had four or more years of service and money in the account, the beneficiary can choose a lifetime monthly benefit. Otherwise TCDRS pays the account balance with interest.
Who runs fire fighter pensions in Texas?
Under the Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act, each participating city’s fire fighters’ system is run by its own local board, which sets the plan’s benefits.
Is the pension survivor benefit the same as the Chapter 615 benefit?
No. Chapter 615 is a separate state line-of-duty benefit administered by ERS and is not part of any retirement plan.
Sources
- TMRS: Report a death
www.tmrs.com/report-a-death - Tex. Gov't Code 854.603: TMRS supplemental death benefit
statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.854.htm - TCDRS: Survivor benefit
tcdrs.org/library/survivor-benefit - Texas Pension Review Board: Texas Local Fire Fighters Retirement Act (TLFFRA)
prb.texas.gov/local-firefighter-tlffra - ERS: Chapter 615 survivor benefits (rev. 2/2/2024)
ers.texas.gov/PDFs/Chapter615
Updated November 2026. Every figure on this page was checked against the sources above.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and amounts change; check the official sources above or talk to a licensed professional about your situation.
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