Social Security's Lump Sum Death Payment (LSDP) is federally funded and managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). A surviving spouse or child may receive a special lump-sum death payment of $255 if they meet certain requirements.

Properly completed designations for CSRS employees and retirees are not valid unless the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) receives the form before the death of the designator. Mail both the completed Original and Employee copies of the SF 3102 to OPM, P.O. Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.

SF-1152, Designation for. Unpaid. Compensation. Determines how any unpaid salary and lump sum annual leave are distributed.

Standard Form 3102, CSRS/FERS Designation of Beneficiary, is used by an employee or annuitant covered under the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System to designate a beneficiary to receive any lump sum due in the event of his/her death.

Surviving spouse, full retirement age or older — 100% of the deceased worker's benefit amount. Surviving spouse, age 60 — through full retirement age — 71½ to 99% of the deceased worker's basic amount. Surviving spouse with a disability aged 50 through 59 — 71½%.

It can take up to a year for a retirement fund death benefit to be paid out, as the trustees must ensure that all financial dependents are provided for.

A death benefit is a payout to the beneficiary of a life insurance policy, annuity, or pension when the insured person or annuitant dies. With life insurance policies, death benefits are not usually subject to income tax and named beneficiaries typically receive the death benefit as a lump-sum payment.