Following the passing of a loved one, various parties must be notified, including any pension providers. If your loved one was a member of the Delaware Public Employees' Retirement System (DPERS), notification is crucial to ensuring the cessation of payments and the potential initiation of any survivor benefits.
Who Should Be Notified
If your loved one was a member of DPERS, it's important to notify the system of their passing. This ensures that pension payments are stopped and any applicable survivor benefits are processed.
When to Notify
You should notify DPERS as soon as possible following the death of your loved one. Prompt notification helps prevent overpayment of benefits and expedites the processing of any survivor benefits.
How to Notify
To notify DPERS of a member's death, you can call their office at (302) 739-4208. They will likely require a copy of the death certificate, which can be mailed to their office at the following address: Office of Pensions, McArdle Building, 860 Silver Lake Blvd., Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904.
What to Expect After Notification
After you notify DPERS, they will stop pension payments and provide information about potential survivor benefits. Depending on the specific plan, these benefits may be available to a surviving spouse, children, or other dependents.
Tips for Notification
When notifying DPERS, keep a record of all communications, including dates, times, and the information provided. Also, remember to send the death certificate via a method that provides a delivery receipt for your records.
Conclusion
Notifying DPERS after the death of a loved one is a crucial step in managing their financial affairs. This notification aids in stopping pension payments and potentially initiating survivor benefits, helping to ensure financial matters are handled properly during this challenging time.
FAQ
Q: What if my loved one was a retired public employee but moved out of Delaware?
A: Regardless of where your loved one lived at the time of their death, if they were receiving benefits from DPERS, the system should be notified of their passing.
Q: What if I don't have a death certificate yet?
A: You can still notify DPERS about the death. However, they will likely require a copy of the death certificate before they can finalize stopping payments or processing any survivor benefits.
Q: What happens if pension payments continue after my loved one's death?
A: If DPERS continues to make payments after your loved one's death, they will likely seek to recover these funds. Prompt notification helps prevent this issue.
