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Image Designed by Freepik.com CoPy oF legal doCument needed In order for us to speak to someone on your behalf pertaining to your coverage information, we need a copy of the legal document that authorizes them to act on your behalf. This could be a: A signed request from you, A copy of a Financial Power of Attorney, Conservatorship Papers, or Certifi ed Letter of Administration for an Estate. name Change: In order to change your name in our records, we need: A copy of your marriage license, A divorce decree, or A court order. Questions? Call Customer Care! 800-344-6243 LOANS, SURRENDERS: John Ruskels, ext. 245 DIVIDENDS, PREMIUMS: Linda Zuchel, ext. 226 DEATH CLAIMS: Andrea Evans, ext. 228 Fall 2016 — www.ncsf.com 31 Claim employee benefits. If your spouse's employer provided a pension you may be entitled to benefits, as long as you're named as the beneficiary. Your spouse's employer may also have provided group or individual life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment policies. If so, you'll need to file a claim for these benefits to the extent applicable. you also may be entitled to: 1) back pay or bonuses your spouse was due, 2) the rights to company stock your spouse purchased through an employee stock purchase plan, and 3) stock options or restricted stock your spouse earned. Was your spouse receiving government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare or veteran's benefits? You'll need to contact those agencies to update their records and, where applicable, get your benefits adjusted. Update accounts. You'll also need to update account registrations for assets held at banks and brokerage firms, and for titles for other property, by providing a certified copy of the death certificate. Accounts registered in your spouse's name only may require additional paperwork to prove that you're the rightful heir or are acting as the personal representative or executor of your spouse's estate. This will require a court-certified copy of your spouse's will. For assets that were held in a trust, only the trustee can direct (based on the trust's terms) what happens to them. Retirement accounts. For retirement accounts such as IRAs or 401(k) plans, the beneficiary designation form — not the will — determines who inherits the assets. IRS rules govern how these assets can pass from one person to another, so be careful. Any decisions you make are irrevocable and could trigger taxes and penalties. How to avoid regrets. Making major financial decisions while you're grieving can lead to mistakes and regrets. Ask a family member or friend to act as a sounding board and to help with the legwork. And be sure to consult professional advisors with any questions. © 2015 Thomson Reuters. Reprinted with permission.