questions & answers

Question: My father passed away before he could make me the beneficiary of his Arizona State Retirement. His wish was to ensure that this was done and was verbal regarding the issue. Do I have any recourse as his child and next of kin to have it switched to me as beneficiary? Thanks

Answer:

According to the Arizona State Retirement System [ASRS] website, they are required to pay the beneficiary named by the deceased. If no beneficiary is named, “Arizona Revised Statutes require the ASRS to locate and pay beneficiaries in [the following order of priority]

1) The member’s surviving spouse, if any. If none, then to: (2) The member’s surviving children, including adopted children, in equal shares.  If none, then to: (3) The member’s surviving parents, in equal shares.  If none, then to: (4) The member’s estate. https://www.azasrs.gov/content/choosing-beneficiaries. 

As shown, unless the decedent had no surviving family beneficiaries, this asset is not within the jurisdiction of county probate courts.

Extensive information and contact numbers can be found on the ASRS website https://www.azasrs.gov