Service
J. Larry McIlwee – VFN Service Officer
Need Help?
NARFE is here to help active and retired federal employees, their spouses, and annuitants find answers to questions related to federal benefits. NARFE can help cut through federal bureaucratic red tape. NARFE maintains a list of articles and white papers on its national website, www.NARFE.org, providing answers to frequently asked questions, such as: Will your spouse be eligible for health benefits when you retire? Buyouts can be attractive, but what if you’re called back to service? How long do you have to wait to tap into your Thrift Savings Plan when you retire? Always keep the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) website information handy.
The following list of active links, entitled “The Survivor Kit,” is an example of important information that every Chapter member should carefully file away in a location at home that is easily accessible to their spouse and immediate family in the event of their unexpected death.
Be Prepared For Life’s Events: What Your Survivors Should Know
NARFE Survivor Kit: Essential Information Checklist
1. Obtain Certified Death Certificates
Secure multiple certified copies of the death certificate.
These are required for various notifications and claims.
2. Notify Relevant Agencies
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Social Security Administration (SSA)
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB)
Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP)
Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)
Veterans Affairs (if applicable)
3. Locate and Review Important Documents
SF-50 (Notification of Personnel Action)
Retirement Records
Beneficiary Designations
Marriage and Birth Certificates
Divorce Decrees (if applicable)
Military Service Records (if applicable)
4. Understand and Apply for Survivor Benefits
Survivor Annuity
Life Insurance (FEGLI)
Social Security Survivor Benefits
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Death Benefits
Federal Health and Life Insurance Continuation
5. Address Financial and Tax Considerations
Settle any outstanding debts or financial obligations.
Consult a tax advisor regarding potential tax implications.
6. Maintain Records and Documentation
Keep copies of all correspondence and forms submitted.
Document dates and details of all communications.
Logging into the System:
Terminology that may be helpful. If you have any dealings with OPM, a CSA, or CSF number is one of the first pieces of information you are required to provide. Just as your Social Security number is your personal U.S. national identification number, your CSA or CSF number serves as your OPM identification number. The CS stands for Civil Service, and the A is issued to the annuitant. An F is issued to the survivor after notification of death has been processed.
When logging onto your Services Online account, you will need your OPM-provided password. The CS will be pre-filled in. If you are signing on as a retiree, the first letter you will type is “A”, followed by your 7-digit claim number, and then “0”. If you are the survivor, the first letter you type will be “F”, followed by your 7-digit claim number, and then “W”.