Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare and Pension Trusts

LifeEvents

“For death begins with life’s first breath
And life begins at the touch of death”
–John Oxenham

The passing of a loved one is perhaps the most painful event in life. No one should have to grieve alone. At this time of a loss it is important to surround yourself with your personal support group who can help console and counsel you at this time. Your personal support group includes family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and your religious community. In some cases you may also wish to seek the guidance of a professional counselor. In coming to terms with your loss, you will take some time to recollect your loved one. You can appreciate the blessings which their presence brought to your life, even if the time they could stay with you seems to have ended too soon.

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness and
nothing is so gentle as real strength”
–Ralph W. Sockman

With the support of your family and friends you will be able to gather the strength to complete the necessary details which must be faced by the survivors. There is much to do; the linked check list may give you a starting point from which to work. It is advisable that the tasks be divided up if possible between loved ones. In this manner, the necessary steps can be completed, and no one person bears the entire burden. It is natural and normal that the pain and grief of the survivors will take some time to heal. Make full use of your personal support network.

Plan Checklist

• In the event of the death of a spouse of a participant, the Trust Customer Service Office should be notified. The staff at the Trust Customer Service Office are ready to help as much as possible, and to make sure the survivors understand the benefits implications, obtain the necessary forms and know how to submit the required documentation.
• There is a $2000 life insurance benefit payable upon the death of an eligible participant’s spouse.
• If you are the surviving participant, you will need to change your designation of beneficiary using the Enrollment and Beneficiary Designation for the Health Plan (If you are not yet retired you will also need to complete the Pension Beneficiary Designation). If you have retired under the Pension Trust, your benefits will change only if the death occurs within one year of your retirement under the plan. Also, you may need to change your beneficiary, which is done on a different form than the Enrollment and Beneficiary Designation for the Health Plan. The Trust Customer Service Office will help you further when you call them.

Also Consider…

External Links

• Hospice Net
  Articles on grief, bereavement, death and dying. Hospice nurses and professionals provide email support.
• About.com Death and Dying
  About.com resources on funerals, cemeteries, and other death and dying related topics.