California Game Warden

Surviving Spouses

One of the things that I discovered was missing was info for spouses and surviving spouses of our wardens.

If you are married to a retired game warden, do you know your status with CalPers. The have several rules regarding death benefits and rights to your spouse’s retirement benefits upon their death. You need to do some research so you know your rights. CalPers

  • Are you the beneficiary of your spouse’s retirement benefits?
  • If you were married to your spouse before his/her retirement, did you and your spouse chose the option that would allow the surviving spouse to keep the same benefits or did you opt for a higher retirement check while your spouse was alive and a lower one when your spouse passes away?

Surviving spouses may want to know about how to find certain info as well as how to get things done after losing their spouse.

One of the things that I have shared with my spouse is access to the various checking accounts, brokerage accounts, etc…If there is still a house payment and it is paid from the account where the retirement check is direct deposited, make sure that there are enough funds to cover a few months of house payments until CalPers changes the payee from your spouse to you.

  1. Honor Guard: Do you want the Department to provide an Honor Guard at the services for your spouse? If so, who do you contact? Call the Law Enforcement Division at Headquarters at 916-653-4094
  2. Was your spouse a military veteran? If so, there may be additional benefits from the military. You may need to contact the local veterans service officer for more info.  I have some links on my local American Legion Page that may be of use to you. If your spouse was a member of the VFW or the American Legion, they may be able to provide assistance as well.
  3. Do you know how to continue your spouses retirement benefits after his/her death?
    1. The first thing to do is to get a copy of the death certificate
    2. You will need your spouse’s Social Security Number as well as yours.
    3. Make contact with Social Security. Although the benefit retired wardens receive is quite small, you still need to notify them.
    4. Contact CalPers, Death Benefits Office.