Eaves v. Division of Retirement

BENTON, Judge.

Pamela Eaves appeals a final order entered by the Division of Retirement (the Division) denying her claim for Florida Retirement System benefits on account of the death of Billy J. Eaves, which left her a widow. We reverse.

As the Division concedes, the surviving spouse of a vested retirement system member is entitled to certain death benefits, where the member never attempted to name a beneficiary. We find no basis for denying the same benefits to the surviving spouse of such a member where an attempt to direct payment to others has proven wholly ineffective.

An employee of the…