Veterans and Transitioning Service Members, Does your Family Know What to do When you Pass Away?
I was having a conversation with my wife not too long ago as a result of a family member suddenly passing away. She asked me two questions:
The truth of the matter is that I know exactly where those documents are but the organization and location of them probably make little sense to anybody else, so I have a lot of work to do. This article was a document I wanted to draft for my wife, but I thought it might be useful to others as well.
I have seen a lot of LinkedIn posts lately about SBP, DIC, life insurance and even an article in the latest Army's Soldier for life publication Army Echoes titled “Preparing your survivor” By Patty Cruz, Army Survivor Benefit Plan Program Manager. So I know this subject is important to a lot of you out there.
In that article the discussion centered around the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) but it got me thinking that for most veterans surviving family members, SBP is not the only thing they have to figure out. Some of the hyperlinks in this article are sourced from the Army Echoes article.
This article will focus on what a typical veteran or transitioning service member's family would have to get done when you pass away, but the basics of it still apply to most people. I am sure there are things missing from this article so please add them to your tool bag and maybe share what you find with everybody else in LinkedIn.
The first think that come to mind that will need to get settled after your passing is your retirement pay. Your surviving family members will have to contact DFAS at some point to inform them of your passing so that your retirement pay can be stopped and the appropriated arrears of pay can be distributed to your family members. Check out this checklist for help figuring out at least an initial list of documents to gather.
Completing this process will then logically trigger the SBP discussion if you decided to participate in that program after retirement. If you signed up for SBP then your surviving family members will have to start an SBP Annuity claim.
After retirement pay and SBP issues are settled then most survivors will have to worry about filling for VGLA benefits if you signed up for that program. Your surviving family members will have to fill form SGLV 8283 to start the process.
Another thing for your surviving family members to consider would be if they qualify for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) or any other VA programs for surviving family members. VA form VBA-21P-534EZ will need to be filled to start the process for DIC.
A lot of transitioning service members and veterans have a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account. If you have a TSP then your surviving family members will have to file TSP form 17, "Information Relating to Deceased Participant" to get the process started.
If you want to get familiar with that process ahead of time there is a TSP brochure you need to read, titled “Death Benefits, Information for Participants and Beneficiaries.”
If you have other retirement or investment type accounts remember to also have the necessary information for those accounts and all the related paperwork needed for your beneficiaries to take ownership of your funds. Also do not forget about your bank accounts.
Additionally, if you are a federal government civilian a big chunk of your savings might be in your TSP. So, apply the same process as stated above. There might also be a life insurance policy that you are currently paying for while employed by the federal government.
There are additional requirements to get your federal government life insurance proceeds and last paycheck, leave, etc. from the specific government agencies you are working for. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) provides information related to how to get this process started. Your organization might have slightly different processes.
Follow your company specific process if you are not a federal government civilian, I am sure the basics are the same.
Then you must consider your “civilian” life insurance if you have one or three of those. Since they are too many options to list here you should have the pertinent information identified and in a place where your surviving family members can get access to it.
If this process sounds complicated and overly burdensome that is because it is. There are a lot of forms to be filled and a lot of phone calls that need to be made during one of the most difficult times in your family’s life.
If you think your family members might need help, please provide them with these websites for reference when needed. This is just a partial list since they are probably many other organizations you can contact for help. Also, it might be a good idea to contact them yourself ahead of time to get an idea of what they offer.
Death is a subject many of us do not like to talk about, but it is key to prepare our families and make it a little bit easier for them when the time comes.
Having all the documents, phone numbers, accounts numbers, passwords, policy numbers etc. compiled in one place is a great way to prepare your family.
Take the time now to get this done, your family will thank you later!
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4yAngel Castro Thanks for sharing! Many of us need this. It is uncomfortable to talk about but we all need a plan for when the unthinkable happens. Thanks!!
JROTC Instructor, Soldier for Life, Backpacking Enthusiast, Amateur Woodworker, Budding Revolutionary War Historian
4yInteresting I was just discussing this topic this morning with my son. Your article started me thinking about the gaps in my own process.
Foreign Affairs Officer @ United States Air Force | Foreign Affairs TPM
4yAngel, it goes without saying, we should have a plan in case something, you name it, happens. Your partner/spouse should be fully aware of the plan and have a basic understanding of the process. That plan should be reviewed by both, at least, once annually and updated just as frequent.
Cyberspace Operations Technical Advisor | Mentor | Veteran
4yTyrone Hewitt Would like to get your thoughts on this article if you have a moment.
CEO & Senior Human Resources Consultant @ J. Wright Consultants | Federal HR Consulting
4yThank you for this share. This is important for all regardless of service status. All adults should not only have a plan, but make that plan available for loved ones. My condolences to you and your family. Sharing.