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What Happens to Your Benefits If You Die After You Retire?

Survivor Benefits

Acct Tech
USDA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 8:43 AM

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Unless, of course, you cannot make your partner of more than 30 years your spouse, because of the Federal Defense of Marriage act.

Then all bets are off.

Re: Survivor Benefits

Paralegal Specialist
ODAR
Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:28 AM
Yes, the good ol' Defense of Marriage Act. My partner and I of almost 20 years have had to go through numerous hoops just to make sure that we are entitled to each other's benefits, well...with the little that we can actually get. Oh but wait, I forgot...if we were actually able to get each other's benefits as easily as married folks, that would be considered "special"rights.

Re: Survivor Benefits

Computer Specialist
VA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:06 AM
I respectfully request that future articles on this topic include considerations and guidance for those of us who have long-term life partners, but are unable to marry because of DOMA.

Re: Survivor Benefits

IT Spec
DOE
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:11 AM
I agree with Acct Tech and Paralegal Specialist. Whom we love has no bearing on how hard we work or how much we contribute to society.

I too have been in a same sex relationship with someone for over 20 years.

Not having our relationship recognized as a marriage has cost us extra years in the work force as we try to accumulate enough for retirement. It's difficult enough to prepare for retirement, we don't need the additional hurdles created by bigotry and homophobia.

Question on survivor benefits

Program Leader
SSA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 9:26 AM

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CSRS offset; took out about $10,000 when quit in the early 80's. If I repay it with interest ($45,000) at retirement, will the dollar for dollar reimbursement of contributions of which you speak be on the $10,000 or the $45,000?
Thank you for your helpful articles.

survivor annuity question

Admin Officer
VA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:27 AM

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My spouse and I are both government employees. I am FERS, he is CSRS offset. Since we would each take a 10% reduction in our annuity to provide a 50% survivor annuity for our spouse, finiancially speaking would the best option be for us NOT to elect a survivor annuity for each other?

Why worry?

Program Analyst
OPM
Thu Dec 4, 2008 10:36 AM

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You are dead, anyway!

IF ?

Sys Admin
USDA
Thu Dec 4, 2008 2:33 PM

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" IF " I die after I retire? I didn't know I had an option!

Re: IF ?

Clerk
DOI
Mon Dec 8, 2008 11:00 AM
This is as opposed to the information addressing PRE-retirement death.

What happens to your retirement contributions

Letter carrier
USPS Retired
Thu Dec 4, 2008 4:06 PM

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I have never been able to find this answer so thanks if you can help. Should you die before your contribution to your retirement is used in full. will your spouse receive the remainer in a lump had you not taken survivor benifits. Thank you in advance for this answer.
tsimp300@yahoo.com

Insurable interest

Internal Revenue Agent
IRS
Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:25 AM

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You are only addressing spouses. the CSR retirement book states you can take a survivor annuity....The paragraph implies even fiance/ fiancee. My question is about grown up children that are not medical disabled but you are providing economic support and leave with you. It is something that will be more common in the future considering the state of the economy at the present. I have 31 years so I can retire anytime and no one seems to be addressing this point. How can a bethroed have more status than a blood relative. I hope you address this point in the very near future. Thanks in advance.
M. E. Faunde, Plantation, Fl

Re: Insurable interest

Special Agent
OIG-USPS
Fri May 1, 2009 11:00 AM
Has anyone addressed this issue? Are they entitled as your beneficiary?
Total Comments: 21
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