The United Federation of Teachers

What to do when a retiree dies

by Tom Pappas

May 24, 2007 2:05 PM

This is not an easy or pleasant topic for me to write about in this column but it is an extraordinarily important one. We have always reminded and encouraged retirees to make sure your listed beneficiary or beneficiaries are up to date. Now we add to that the updated information about what your beneficiary will need to know and to do in the event of your death.

When suffering the stress that grief creates your beneficiary does not need the added burden of worrying about or trying to remember what he or she is expected to do or to be responsible for. This document will make it easier for them. We have outlined clearly and simply the steps your beneficiary will need to take and the agencies that must be notified.

We are here to help your beneficiary through those trying days. Please let them know that their first phone call should be to the UFT Retiree Pension Department at 1-212-598-9536 to insure that they will receive all the benefits for which they are eligible.

Save the instructions in this column with your important papers so your beneficiary can easily turn to them when they are needed. You can also find these instructions on our Web site at www.uft.org. Click on My Chapter from the menu on the left, scroll to Retiree and click the link to Everything You Need to Know.

I. Things you should have

  1. Collect all relevant papers and documents. This includes wills, insurance policies, annuities, deeds, statements of ownership, bills and loans.
  2. Originals or copies of death certificates are needed for most agencies you need to notify; e.g. New York City Teachers’ Retirement System, Social Security, etc.

II. 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 percent 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 St., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
Phone: 1-212-513-0470

UFT Welfare Fund
Attention: COBRA
52 Broadway — 7th floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-212-539-0500

III. Retirement allowance

  1. 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.
  2. Send an original death certificate to the Teachers’ Retirement System, which will begin procedures to notify the beneficiary (or beneficiaries) if the retiree had selected an option when he or she retired. Send the information to the address below:

NYC Teachers’ Retirement System
55 Water St.
New York, NY 10041
Phone: 1-888-8NYCTRS (69-2877)

IV. Welfare Fund

The Welfare Fund is extending coverage to surviving spouse/dependents for an additional three months beyond the month the member dies.

V. 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 — 17th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-212-228-9060

VI. Reimbursements

  1. 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:
    2. City of New York
    Health Benefits Program
    40 Rector St.
    3rd Floor, Medicare Unit
    New York, NY 10006

  2. Optional rider reimbursement.

The surviving spouse/dependents are eligible for the reimbursements of the optional rider up to the date of death of the retiree. Contact:

UFT Welfare Fund
52 Broadway — 7th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-212-539-0500

VIl. NYSUT Catastrophe

Contact Catastrophe Insurance in order to maintain your coverage. Call 1-888-386-9788 or mail:

Marsh Affinity Group Services
P.O. Box 9186
Des Moines, IA 50306-9122

VIII. Social Security Administration

(Contact your local office)

  1. Return the check received after the death of member. Social Security does not reimburse any part of the check.
  2. Only the spouse may apply for $255 toward burial from Social Security.
  3. Send a death certificate.

IX. Veterans Administration

(Contact your local office)

  1. Reimbursement of up to $150 toward a purchased cemetery plot.
  2. All other veteran benefits the member may have been entitled to.

X. Please send a copy of the Death Certificate to:

UFT Membership Department
52 Broadway — 11th floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-212-598-6855

XI. UFT-RTC

For additional information contact:

UFT-RTC Pension Department
52 Broadway — 17th floor
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 1-212-598-9536