Estate Planning 101

Notifying Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company After a Loved One’s Passing

September 13, 2023

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Snug makes it easy to create a Will or Trust in under 20 minutes. Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives are included for free with any Will or Trust, as is a year of free updates.
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The passing of a loved one is a challenging time, filled with a multitude of responsibilities. One of these tasks includes notifying various organizations like Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, particularly if the deceased was receiving a pension. This communication is crucial to ensure proper handling of the deceased's financial affairs.

Who Should Be Notified

Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is a leading provider of retirement savings, investment and insurance products, and services. If your loved one was receiving a pension or had any form of policy with them, the company needs to be informed of their passing.

When to Notify

You should notify Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company as soon as possible after the death of the loved one. Prompt notification can prevent any overpayment of benefits and ensure that any potential survivor benefits are received in a timely manner.

How to Notify

Notification can be done by calling the customer service line of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. Have the policy number and the deceased's Social Security number on hand. You will likely be asked to mail or fax a certified copy of the death certificate as well.

What to Expect After Notification

Once Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is notified of the death, they will stop any ongoing pension payments. They will also guide you through the process of claiming any death benefits or potential survivor benefits. Depending on the policy, this could include a lump-sum death benefit or continuation of pension payments to a surviving spouse.

Tips for Notification

When you contact Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, document the date, time, and the representative you spoke with. Keep copies of all correspondence and confirmations. This can be useful if any discrepancies occur later. Don't hesitate to ask questions to clarify any information or steps in the process.

Conclusion

Although it can be a challenging task, notifying a pension provider like Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is an important step. Not only does it ensure the cessation of pension payments, but it can also provide valuable financial support through survivor benefits during a difficult time.

FAQ

Q: Can I notify Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company online?
A: Currently, the preferred method of reporting a death to Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is over the phone, followed by sending a certified copy of the death certificate via mail or fax.

Q: What if I don't have all the necessary information, like the policy number?
A: If you're missing key information, contact Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company anyway. They can often look up the policy using the deceased's Social Security number and date of birth.

Q: What if pension payments continue after the death?
A: If payments continue after the deceased's passing, contact Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company immediately. Any payments made after death will likely need to be returned.