What to do when a spouse/domestic partner dies
1. Things You Should Have
Collect all relevant papers
and documents. This includes wills, insurance policies, annuities,
deeds, statements of ownership, bills and loans.
Originals or copies of death
certificates are needed for most agencies you need to notify; e.g. NYC
Teachers’ Retirement System if your spouse was a beneficiary, Social
Security, etc.
Then send an original death certificate to the
Teachers’ Retirement System:
NYC Teachers’ Retirement System
55 Water Street
New York, NY 10041
888-8NYCTRS (69-2877)
Employee Benefits Program
If the spouse/domestic partner dies, contact the
Employee Benefits Program within 30 days of the event. Fill out an ERB
form, which can be obtained by calling the number below, in order to
drop your spouse/domestic partner from your health coverage, and send
it to:
2. NYC Employee Benefits Program
40 Rector Street, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10006
212-513-0470
3. SHIP
You should contact SHIP and receive refunds of
balances of the Supplemental Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) premium.
Write to:
UFT SHIP
52 Broadway, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10004
212-228-9060
4. NYSUT – Catastrophe
Contact Catastrophe Insurance in order to drop your
spouse/domestic partner. Contact NYSUT Catastrophe at 888-386-9788 or
Marsh Affinity Group Services
P.O. Box 9186
Des Moines, IA 50306-9186
5. Social Security Administration
(Contact your local office)
Return the check received
after the death of the spouse. Social Security does not reimburse any
part of the check.
You may apply for $255
toward burial from Social Security.
Send a death certificate.
6. Veterans Administration (If applicable)
Reimbursement of up to $150
toward a purchased cemetery plot.
All other veteran’s benefits
the member may have been entitled to.
7. UFT-RTC
For additional information contact:
UFT-RTC Pension Department
52 Broadway – 17th floor
New York, NY 10004
212-598-9536