Am I the beneficiary of my moms pension through calPERS. Am I entitled to any of it.

Question

My mom worked for Santa Monica City Attorney for over 20 years. She has a pension she payed into for over 20 years. After one year of retirement she passed. I am the beneficiary of her pension, her son. calPERS who handles the pension says I owe them $5000 and after I pay them I will get $1000 dollars. My mother told me before she passed that I needed to contact calPERS when she is gone because I am entitled to a portion of it. How does this work? do i have to get a lawyer to get what im entitled to? I dont know where to go from here.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Typically, the beneficiary of a pension plan is designated by the pension plan participant (in this case, your mother) and listed in the pension plan documents. If your mother listed you as the beneficiary of her pension plan, then you should be entitled to receive the benefits that were designated for you. 
 
However, it is not clear from your question whether you are the sole beneficiary of your mother's pension plan, or whether there are other beneficiaries listed as well. If there are multiple beneficiaries listed, the benefits may be divided among all beneficiaries in accordance with the plan documents. 
 
It is also possible that there are outstanding debts or obligations associated with your mother's pension plan that must be paid before the benefits can be distributed to the beneficiaries. This may be the reason why CalPERS is requesting payment from you. 
 
It is important to review your mother's pension plan documents and any other relevant legal documents to determine your rights as a beneficiary. You may wish to consult with a lawyer who specializes in estate planning or pension law to help you navigate the process and understand your legal rights and options.

Q: Am I the beneficiary of my moms pension through calPERS. Am I entitled to any of it.