Casualty Checklists

Checklist for Deceased Military Retiree

This checklist applies to the affairs of military retirees who resided in Colorado at the time of the retiree’s death. Not all items will apply, but you should consider each item to determine if it needs attention.

Check off each item as you complete it, or if you determine the contact is not necessary.

First Contacts

These are important calls you should make first

o Military Retiree Pension. Retirement pay stops on the day of the retiree’s death.

Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines should inform the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) of the death.

Call 800-321-1080, menu option 2.

Have the following information available.

For the deceased retiree:

Name Social Security No. Date of death

For the caller:

Name, address, telephone number, and relationship to the deceased.

When notified, DFAS will stop monthly payments to minimize overpayment.

Within 7-10 business days after reporting the death to DFAS, you should receive a letter containing the following documents:

•SF1174 Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Service

•Annuity account forms and instructions (if the decedent was enrolled in the Survivor Benefit Plan or the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan)

For online assistance and forms open the following link to the DFAS website: https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/survivors/Retiree-Death You can also report the death of a retiree online at this site.

Coast Guard call the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center’s (PPC) Retiree & Annuitant Services (RAS) - 866-772-8724. Public Health Service call 800-638-8744.

o Social Security. Social Security pays benefits for the month prior the month in which an individual dies. Even if a funeral home informs the Social Security Administration of the death, a survivor should call 800-772-1213 or visit the nearest office. Provide, for the deceased and for survivors, their social security numbers, names, and dates of birth. For online services, open ssa.gov; click on “Online Services.” Social Security will also notify Medicare.

o Veterans Affairs. If the deceased was receiving payments authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (e.g., for disability compensation or a pension), you must report the death by calling 800-827-1000. When prompted, say “report a death.” Have available the veteran’s name, social security number, and date of birth.

For questions regarding eligibility or claims for VA benefits, call as just described or call a Veteran Service Officer (see pg 4). For online information about survivor, burial, headstone, and other benefits, go to va.gov and click on the desired service (e.g., “Family member benefits" or “Burials and memorials”).

For VA-sponsored life insurance (LI) claims, like Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) call 800-419-1473; for other VA-sponsored life insurance (National Service LI, U.S. Govt LI, Veterans Special LI, Service Disabilities LI, Veterans Mortgage LI, Veterans Opened LI, etc) call 800-669-8477. You can also look online at benefits/va.gov.

o Civil Service Pension or Annuity. If the deceased was a Civil Service retiree or receiving an annuity, notify the Office of Personal Management (OPM):
Call 888-767-6738, press 1 and after announcements press 4 (Report a death). Have available the OPM Retirement Claim Number.

The OPM retirement website is www.opm.gov/retirement-services/.

o Private Pensions If the deceased received funds from a private employer-sponsored plan, or from investments, notify the fund administrator or retirement custodian.

Institution: _______________________________ Phone:__________________

Account number:__________________________ Type Account:____________

o Life Insurance. If the deceased had current life insurance, contact the insurer(s).

Insurer: _________________________________ Phone:__________________

Policy number:_________________________ Face amount:_____________

Insurer: _________________________________ Phone:__________________

Policy number:_________________________ Face amount:_____________

o Thrift Savings Plan. If the deceased participated in the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), contact the Federal Retirement Thrift Board at 877-968-3778, menu options 3, stay on the line.

Deceased Social Security number:_______________________

o Legal Matters. Inform the lawyer, trust administrator, and/or executor of the estate.

Next Steps

These contacts are less important but should be addressed soon.

o Financial institutions. Notify the banks, brokers, and investment firms where the deceased saved, invested, and/or maintained funds. Locate all savings and checking accounts, CDs, IRAs, stocks, bonds, and securities. For each account have the following information: Institution name, its telephone number, account number, and the name on the account.

o Auto, Home, Medical, Property, and Other Insurance. Contact the insurer(s) to stop or transfer insurance coverage. If possible, have the applicable policy for reference during the phone call.

o Accountant/Financial Advisor. If the deceased had an accountant or tax preparer, inform them of the death. Perhaps they can assist with financial matters.

o Local Election Office: You may need to notify your local office if SS or the funeral home hasn’t. You can use this link to locate yours: https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Resources/CountyElectionOffices.html

o Loans and Credit Cards. Review loan and credit card statements for balances and periodic payments. Update contact information for holders of debt accounts. Contact each periodic payment payee to cancel, confirm, and/or adjust future payments. For each account, have the Institution name, its telephone number, account number, the name on the account, and balance due.

o Driver’s License. If the deceased had a driver’s license, contact the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

o Taxes. Contact municipal, county, and state tax offices. Update information and provide necessary documentation. NOTE: Colorado has some property tax exemptions for veterans and seniors: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/treasury/senior-and-veteran-property-tax-programs

o Military-related Health Care Providers. If the deceased has received bills for health care, the survivor should contact the retiree’s primary health care provider:

Dental and/or vision - FEDVIP 877-888-3337 www.benefeds.com

TRICARE for Life (for 65 and older) 866-773-0404 www.tricar4u.com

TRICARE (West Region) (under 65) 844-866-9378 www.tricare-west.com

Health Benefits Advisor - Coast Guard 800-942-2422

To contact the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) call 800-538-9552. https://tricare.mil/deers

o Military Funeral Honors. If the family desires military funeral honors, they can contact the funeral home who should arrange them. This is available at either a National Cemetery or a private cemetery. More info at https://nvf.org/veteran-burial-benefits/

o Military Records. To request all or part of the deceased retiree’s military record, such as a DD Form 214 or medical records, complete and mail a Standard Form 180. To obtain the form, call the Retired Activities Office or download online at
http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf You can also call the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at 866-272-6272. For “emergency” requests to get a copy of the DD-214 for funeral needs call 314-801-0764.

Identification Cards (ID cards)

o Return the identification card of the deceased, with a certified death certificate, to an ID card issuing office below (or another of your choice).

o Surviving spouses, for medical benefits eligibility, need an unexpired ID card and should update the DEERS database to “widow” or “widower” by getting a new ID card that says “DB” (DoD Beneficiary). ID card locations can update DEERS for all Services. Call for an appointment, hours, location, and required documents.

Colorado

Buckley AFB Bldg 606, Mission Support, MPF 720-847-6319/4357

Buckley AFB Bldg 1301, Naval Ops Space Center (NOSC) 720-847-7808

Buckley AFB Hangar 801, Air National Guard 720-847-9295

HQ Army NG 6848 S Revere Pkwy, Centennial 720-250-1315

For other ID card offices, see http://www.dmdc.osd.mil/rsl/appj/site?execution=e2s1 .

Assistance Resources

o Retiree Activities Offices. Information and assistance regarding rights, privileges, and benefits from the military services. Each office serves retirees and survivors from all military branches.

Location Phone Email

Buckley AFB RAO 720-847-6693 460sw.rao.org@us.af.mil

Peterson AFB RAO 719-556-7153 rao.peterson@us.af.mil

Air Force Academy RAO 719-333-7877

o Veteran Service Officers. To find the Veteran Service Officer (VSO) nearest you use the following website: https://nvf.org/veteran-service-officers/

o Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR). To find the nearest Air Force Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) use the following toll-free number: 877-353-6807. The Buckley AFB CAR is Loretta Lopez: 720-847-6946.

Army Casualty Assistance Office: 800-626-3317

Navy Casualty Assistance Office: 800-368-3202

Coast Guard Retiree Help Desk: 800-772-8724

o Fraternal groups. Many associations assist survivors of their members; for example, the Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) www.fra.org/fra/web/ , the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) https://www.moaa.org/ , The Retired Enlisted Association (TREA) https://www.trea.org/ , the American Legion https://www.legion.org/, the Disabled American Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars https://www.vfw.org/ , and the Vietnam Veterans of America https://vva.org/ . Contact information is generally available on each association’s website.

This is a publication of the Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO). If you have any questions regarding the military benefit related portions of this document, please feel free to contact us.

Buckley SFB Retiree Activities Office

18401 A-Basin Ave, Stop 95

Buckley AFB, CO 80011

720-847-6693

raobuckley@gmail.com

Checklist for Deceased Spouse of a Militarey Retiree

This checklist applies to the affairs of the deceased spouse of a military retiree who resided in Colorado at the time of the retiree’s death. Not all items will apply, but you should consider each item to determine if it needs attention.

Check off each item as you complete it, or if you determine the contact is not necessary.

First Contacts

These are important calls you should make first

o Survivor Annuity. Annuitant pay stops on the end of the month before his/her death.

1. Call the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) at 800-321-1080, menu option 3.

Have the following information available for the deceased annuitant:

Name Social Security No. Date of death

2. Mail a copy of the annuitant’s death certificate showing cause of death to: DFAS Military Annuitant Pay, 8899 East 56th St., Indianapolis IN 46249-1300.

Coast Guard & PHS members should call the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center’s (PPC) Retiree & Annuitant Services (RAS) at 866-772-8724.

o Social Security. Social Security pays benefits for the month prior the month in which an individual dies. Even if a funeral home informs the Social Security Administration of the death, a survivor should call 800-772-1213 or visit the nearest office. Provide, for the deceased and for survivors, their social security numbers, names, and dates of birth. For online services, open ssa.gov; click on “Online Services.” Social Security will also notify Medicare.

o Veterans Affairs. If the deceased was receiving payments authorized by the Department of Veterans Affairs (e.g., for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)), you must report the death by calling 800-827-1000. When prompted, say “report a death.” Have available the veteran’s name, social security number, and date of birth.

For questions regarding eligibility or claims for VA benefits, call as just described. For online information about survivor, burial, headstone, and other benefits, go to va.gov and click on the desired service (e.g., “Family member benefits" or “Burials and memorials”).

For VA-sponsored life insurance (LI) claims, like Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI) or Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) call 800-419-1473; for other VA-sponsored life insurance (National Service LI, U.S. Govt LI, Veterans Special LI, Service Disabilities LI, Veterans Mortgage LI, Veterans Opened LI, etc) call 800-669-8477. You can also look online at benefits/va.gov.

Civil Service Pension or Annuity. If the deceased was a Civil Service retiree or receiving an annuity, notify the Office of Personal Management (OPM):
Call 888-767-6738, press 1 and after announcements press 4 (Report a death). Have available the OPM Retirement Claim Number.