POINTS TO PONDER
Issue 02-13
From your Federation President
NARFE Members of California:
ANNUITANT AND SURVIVOR BENEFITS: It's amazing to me that so
many of our retirees do their own banking, purchase life insurance, make investments
in the stock market, have savings accounts with more than one bank, have medical
coverage, but they do not share this information with their spouse or family. In most
cases the spouse is aware of all these transactions, but does not know the particulars
nor is inclined to get concerned about the specifics. After all, the retiree (annuitant)
is taking care of all these PROBLEMS so there is no need to get concerned or involved.
As long as the annuitant is healthy there's no need to be concerned about these trivial
matters. But, what happens when the annuitant suddenly becomes ill, or is in an accident
and can no longer fend for him/her self. All of a sudden the spouse needs to know what
medical coverage or life insurance the annuitant has and what accounts from which monies
can be drawn, etc. I believe it's just human nature to not want to think about bad things
until they actually happen.
To assist the spouse in being prepared for these bad times, NARFE has prepared a
"Guide for Annuitant & Survival Benefits", Form F-76. It is recommended that every
retiree fill out this four page document and keep it with your other important papers and
to inform your spouse, siblings, relatives, as appropriate, that it exists and it's location.
The F-76 contains your personal information (when filled out) such as, date of birth;
place of birth; spouses name; names, addresses, telephone numbers of your children and
other relatives; civil service CSA or CSF number; date and agency from which you retired;
military service number and periods of service; social security number and if you receive
social security payments; life insurance policy number and name of insurance company;
medical coverage; investments, savings, checking accounts and with what institution;
location and number of safe deposit box; whether or not you have a will or living trust and
with what attorney; and a listing of all real estate owned.
The annuitant may be surprised to find that he/she must do some research to identify
some of the above items. It only makes good sense to have all this information in one place
and available to your family.
I hope all of you heed NARFE's advice and obtain a copy of F-76 and fill it out accordingly.
Check with your Service Officer for a copy or have your Chapter Secretary order some from
NARFE Headquarters on the F-18 Order Form. You can also request "A NARFE Guide for
Federal Employees and Annuitants", Form F-100 which contains the Form F-76, along with
other pertinent information that you will find of interest.
Till Next Time ....
Lea D. Zajac, Your California Federation President
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