Death - The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

The death of a family member (spouse or dependent child) is a qualifying life event, which allows you to elect or change benefits for which you and your family members are eligible, or add/remove your eligible family members from coverage — provided the event is reported within 60 days.

You can report the death of a family member using Benefits Connect. You can also call 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752) (TTY: 711) and provide the representative with the member's name and date of death.

See Reporting life events for more information.

Grief support

The Board offers support to help members cope with grief and loss. Through the Employee Assistance Plan (administered by Cigna), eligible members and anyone in the member's household have access to resources for emotional well-being at times of loss, such as consultants, licensed counselors, and online webcasts/on-demand replays.

Payment of benefits

If you are an eligible spouse, eligible child, or designated beneficiary, you will receive a letter from the Board asking that you complete, sign, and submit a Death Benefits Claim form and a death certificate to the Board to ensure timely payment of benefits. If an eligible spouse or child was enrolled for supplemental death benefits coverage, a death certificate must be submitted for payment of that benefit.

Benefits coverage

Use the following chart to help you understand the available medical benefits for eligible family members when a Benefits Plan member dies.

*If, at the time of the plan member’s death, you:*	*And at the time of death, the plan member:*	What benefits are available?	What is the cost?
are the surviving spouse or eligible dependent of a member, and were covered under the Medical Plan	was enrolled in the Pension Plan, Death and Disability Plan, and Medical Plan	For one year from the date of death, your medical coverage will continue as long as you are eligible. After one year, you may enroll for medical continuation coverage (a) for an additional 36 months, or until you are eligible for Medicare coverage (whichever is sooner), or (b) until age 26, if you are a dependent child.	Neither you nor the employer will be billed for the first year of coverage. The cost for medical continuation coverage.
are the surviving spouse or eligible dependent of a member, and were covered under the Medical Plan	was not enrolled in the Pension Plan and the Death and Disability Plan, but was enrolled in the Medical Plan	You may enroll for medical continuation coverage for 36 months from the date of death or until you are eligible for Medicare (whichever is sooner) or, if a dependent child, until age 26 (at which time you may enroll for medical continuation coverage for an additional 36 months).	The cost for medical continuation coverage at the time the election is made will apply.
are the surviving spouse or eligible dependent of a member, and were covered under the Medical Plan	was disabled, and was enrolled in the Medical Plan	You are eligible for medical coverage for 36 months from the date of death. (Note: eligible family of a member whose disability benefits began before January 1, 2017, are eligible for provisions in effect as of December 31, 2016.)	The cost for medical continuation coverage at the time the election is made will apply.
are the surviving spouse of a member, and are enrolled in medical continuation coverage	was retired	You may be eligible to continue your coverage through medical continuation until you are eligible for the Humana Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan when you turn 65.	Published rates in effect at the time will apply to medical continuation coverage, if elected.
are the surviving dependent child (under age 25) of an active member or a retiree	was enrolled in the Death and Disability Plan, or initiated pension payments immediately upon termination of employment	You may be eligible for a post-high school education benefit (you will receive information regarding this benefit when the Board is notified of the member's death)	There is no cost.