What to Do When A Retiree Dies

Apr 13, 2007 12:05 PM

1. Things You Should Have 
   
   a. Collect all relevant papers and documents. This includes wills, insurance policies, annuities, deeds, statements of ownership, bills and loans.
   
   b. Originals or copies of death certificates are needed for most agencies you need to notify; e.g. NYC Teachers’ Retirement System, Social Security, etc.
       
2. Health and Welfare Coverage
   
   The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reduction Act – COBRA, Public Law 99-2721, Title X – requires the New York City Employee Benefits Program to offer the opportunity for a temporary extension of group health and welfare coverage. This continuation coverage pertains to ALL health benefits, including optional benefits and Welfare Fund benefits. The rates charged for continuation coverage are 102% of the group rates for a surviving spouse or dependent.
   
   Under COBRA, the spouse or dependent child has the responsibility to notify the Employee Benefits Program and the UFT Welfare Fund within 60 days of the death of the retiree, divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status. Notification should be sent by certified mail to:
   
   NYC Employee Benefits Program
   Attention: COBRA
   40 Rector Street, 3rd Floor
   New York, NY 10006
   Phone (212) 513-0470
   
   
   UFT Welfare Fund
   Attention: COBRA
   52 Broadway – 7th floor
   New York, NY 10004
   (212) 539-0500

3. Retirement Allowance
   a. Return the last check received after the death of the retiree. The Retirement System will return to the beneficiary the pro-rated amount due for the days prior to the member’s death.
   
   b. Send an original death certificate to the Teachers’ Retirement System, which will begin procedures to notify the beneficiary(ies) if the retiree had selected an option when he/she retired. Send the information to the address below:
   
   NYC Teachers’ Retirement System
   55 Water Street
   New York, NY 10041
   1-888-8NYCTRS (69-2877)
4. Welfare Fund
   
   The Welfare Fund is extending coverage to surviving spouse/dependents for an additional three months beyond the month the member dies.
5. SHIP
   
   You can terminate insurance and receive refunds of any balances of the Supplemental Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium. Your spouse may continue to be covered by SHIP with proper health coverage (SHIP will explain). Write to:
   
   UFT SHIP
   52 Broadway
   New York, NY 10004
   (212) 228-9060
6. Reimbursements
   
   a. Medicare, Part B.
   
   If the retiree and/or the spouse/domestic partner were Medicare eligible and paid for Medicare, Part B, the surviving spouse/domestic partner or estate would be eligible for the reimbursements up to the date of death of the retiree. Write a letter to:
   
   City of New York
   Health Benefits Program
   40 Rector Street
   3rd Floor, Medicare Unit
   New York, NY 10006
   
   b. Optional rider reimbursement
   
   The surviving spouse/dependents are eligible for the reimbursements of the optional rider up the date of death of the retiree. Contact:
   
   UFT Welfare Fund
   52 Broadway – 7th Floor
   New York, NY 10004
   (212) 539-0500

7. NYSUT Catastrophe – Contact Catastrophe Insurance in order to maintain your coverage. Call 1-888-386-9788 or:
   
   Marsh Affinity Group Services
   P.O. Box 9186
   Des Moines, IA 50306-9122

8. Social Security Administration (Contact your local office)
   a. Return the check received after the death of member. Social Security does not reimburse any part of the check.
   b. Only the spouse may apply for $255 toward burial from Social Security.
   c. Send a death certificate.

9. Veterans Administration (Contact your local office)
   a. Reimbursement of up to $150 toward a purchased cemetery plot.
   b. All other veteran benefits the member may have been entitled to.

10. Please send a copy of the Death Certificate to:
    
    UFT Membership Department
    52 Broadway – 11th floor
    New York, NY 10004
    (212) 598-6855

11. UFT-RTC
    
    For additional information contact:
    
    UFT-RTC Pension Department
    52 Broadway – 17th floor
    New York, NY 10004
    (212) 598-9536