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The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association is furnishing this information to assist your spouse or survivor with information that may be helpful at the time of your death.  If you require this information in printed format, please contact us.

The information contained on this web site is only a summary of your personal information needed.  For complete details you should review your policies, wills, and contracts.  If further assistance is necessary, contact the agencies referred to here.

We strongly suggest you keep all information in a safe and accessible place.We further recommend that you review your beneficiary paper(s) and consider:

1. Make a Will or up-date your old Will.
2. Consider pre-arrangements
   • Cemetery plot or mausoleum
   • Burial Vault
   • Casket & funeral arrangements
   • Obituary notice
   • Head stone

In The Event of Death

1. You will need possibly 15 copies of the death certificate.
2. Contact The Communications Desk of your State Police Station or Troop Office Manager with the following information:
   • Date of Death
   • Cause of Death
   • What Funeral Home/Times & Dates
   • Whether or not you would like a complete Military Ceremony
3. PSP Headquarters will take care of the following:
   • The Troop Commander/Bureau Director will notify the Commissioner and the Director, Bureau of Personnel of the death.
   • If deceased is an active member of the department, the Bureau of Personnel will initiate the necessary personnel transactions and prepare correspondence to the spouse/survivor regarding salary, benefit payments and medical benefit continuation within two weeks of death.  No action is required by survivor/spouse until receipt of the information packet.
   • A representative from the Bureau of Personnel and/or Troop will, upon request, meet with the survivor/spouse to discuss the benefit entitlements.
   • NOTE:  Spouse/dependents will no longer be eligible for state paid medical/hospital and supplemental benefits upon death of an active member.  However, they will be afforded the opportunity to continue the same group plan under COBRA provisions by paying set premium rates by the Commonwealth's COBRA administrator.  A separate written notice will be mailed to the spouse/dependent's home address within 3 to 4 weeks of death.  The benefits, if elected, will be retroactive.
   • A spouse/dependent of a member killed in the line of duty will continue to receivve state paid medical/hospital and supplemental benefits for a period of 5 years at which time the spouse/dependent will be afforded continuation of coverage under the COBRA provisions as stated above.
4. Contact your local State Employees Retirement Board with the following:
   • Social Security number of the beneficiary is needed.
   • Death Certificate
5. Deferred Compensation - (Retirement Savings Plan) Great-West Retirement Services at :  www.sers457.com or call 1-866-737-7457 with the following:
   • Death Certificate
   • A form will be sent to you (You have the option of how you get the money)
6. Veteran's Administration - 1-800-827-1000 (If applicable)
   • Death Certificate
   • Copy of Discharge Papers (DD214)
   • Armed Forces Serial Number
   • Social Security Number of member and beneficiary
   • You can get a Head Stone, Flag and Presidential Letter
   • You may be eligible for a widow's pension
7. Social Security Administration - 1-800-772-1213
   • Member's Social Security Number and Date of Birth
   • Beneficiaries Social Security Number and Date of Birth
   • Set up an appointment
   • Death Certificate
   • Marriage Certificate
   • Latest witholding statement
   • Birth Certificates of those who may qualify
8. Contact the PSTA - 717-540-5646 or 1-800-541-9934
   • If a member was in the Immediate Relief  you will have to give the Social Security Number of the beneficiary
   • Death Certificate needed
9. If a member of the District Relief Association (Contact your local FOP)
   • Death Certificate
   • Contact your local FOP Representative