Secure Your Future
Missing beneficiary and date-of-birth documentation
May 25, 2006 3:18 PM
More than 56,400 people became mandated members of the Teachers’ Retirement System between Jan. 1, 2000, and Dec. 31, 2005. Of these, only 45 percent have returned Beneficiary Forms and 39 percent have returned Date-of-Birth (DOB) Documentation.
If a member passes away and no designation of beneficiary is on file, their beneficiaries will have difficulty collecting TRS’ benefits. Since these benefits are considerable, up to three years of salary, many loved ones will be badly hurt financially. If you have not filed a designation form (and a separate one for the tax-deferred annuity if you participate in that program), do so now!
Without DOB documentation, TRS will not be able to provide the member with any benefits. You must contact TRS with a copy of your birth certificate or other acceptable proof in order to eventually get any benefits from TRS. Act now!
“On retirement” is compiled and written by Mel Aaronson, Sandra March and Mona Romain, teacher-members of the NYC Teachers’ Retirement Board. For further information on items discussed, call your UFT borough office or the TRS. BRONX: 1-718-379-6200; BROOKLYN: 1-718-852-4900; MANHATTAN: 1-212-598-6800; QUEENS: 1-718-275-4400; STATEN ISLAND: 1-718-605-1400; Teachers’ Retirement System: 1-888-8NYC-TRS (692-877).
