Death Benefits
If a participant in the TIAA-CREF Retirement Program dies before retirement, the beneficiary will receive the accumulated value of the retirement contracts, including the contributions of Amherst College and the proceeds of the life insurance plan.
In case of death of any regular member of the faculty, in addition to TIAA and life insurance benefits, the College will give to his or her next of kin, if dependent, a sum equal to one month's pay if the deceased was employed by the College for less than five years; three months' pay if employed between five and ten years; and six months' pay if employed ten years or longer.