Beneficiary Designation: If you are a vested employee on the active payroll when you die, and your spouse is listed as your sole primary. Generally, an ERISA plan participant can select just about anyone to be their beneficiary.All three retirement systems have options for spouses and other beneficiaries to receive benefits in the event that you (the member) die before they do. Under the Basic Benefit payment option, you will receive monthly retirement benefits for life. Upon your death, neither your surviving. Usually, you fill out the required paperwork and submit it to the plan administrator, who then can tell you what your benefits will be and when they will start. Designating a beneficiary for an employee's retirement plan assets is one of the most important financial decisions a participant will ever make. Under the ERFC Legacy Plan, members may purchase Credited. Service for prior eligible work experience that does not otherwise qualify for retirement or pension. Discover which employee benefit plans are subject to ERISA regulations.