(1) Upon the death of a member, the member's designated beneficiary, statutory beneficiary, or contingent annuitant must submit a certificate of death and a completed MPERA death claim form to the MPERA.

(2) If the designated or statutory beneficiary predeceases the member, the member's estate or next of kin as defined in 19-2-802 , MCA, must file the documents required in (1) .

(3) If the designated or statutory beneficiary renounces their interest in their payment rights, a contingent beneficiary may submit the documents required in (1) .

(4) Upon receipt of the documents required in (1) , MPERA staff will advise the beneficiary or contingent annuitant of the benefits available.

(5) Death claim forms are available at the MPERA office.