The Surviving beneficiaries need to notify two agencies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
California State Teachers Retirement System<\/strong> (CalSTRS) or California Public Employees Retirement System<\/strong> (CalPERS) <\/p>\n\n\n\n LAUSD Benefits Administration <\/strong>or Independent Charter Benefits Administration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Each agency requires a certified copy of the death certificate, in addition to the deceased employee\u2019s name, social security number, and employee number; whether the person was on an active teaching status, retired, disabled or a beneficiary under the option selection; date of death; and name, address and telephone number of a contact person. It is recommended that the family request at least six certified copies of the death certificate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Beneficiary Information Questionnaire will be sent to the contact person within five days of the date CalSTRS receives notice of death.\u00a0\u00a0The questionnaire serves as an official\u00a0acknowledgement\u00a0of receipt of notification.\u00a0\u00a0When the completed questionnaire is returned to CalSTRS, it provides them with the most current information on the decedent\u2019s family and estate.\u00a0\u00a0The information is necessary to identify the eligible beneficiaries for various benefits.\u00a0\u00a0Most applications for survivor benefits can be taken over the phone.\u00a0\u00a0CalSTRS usually pays survivor benefits within 45 days of receiving the last required document.\u00a0\u00a0However, payment can be delayed if documentation (such as a marriage license or death certificate) is not received in a timely manner, or because of the absence of a valid beneficiary designation form on file with a current beneficiary address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to note various agencies can only pay benefits to the last beneficiary designated by the\u00a0employee.\u00a0\u00a0These designations may be made at various times throughout the employee\u2019s career and may be different for each benefit.\u00a0\u00a0It is very important that employees take the time to review their beneficiary information so that it reflects their current wishes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The California State Teachers Retirement System provides benefits in accordance with established procedures as designated on the member\u2019s beneficiary statement. These benefits could include a lump sum death benefit and either survivor benefits or retirement benefits, according to the circumstances. A few certificated employees have been members of the California Public Employees Retirement System and may have remained in PERS when they became certificated. This usually is when the employee\u2019s first paid status with LAUSD was as a classified employee. In that event, CalPERS should be the retirement system that is notified. The processing for either system requires about three to five months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n California State Teachers Retirement System\u00a0(CalSTRS)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Claims Section, Member Services Division<\/p>\n\n\n\n POB 15275-MS 43, Sacramento, CA 95851-0275<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 228-5453\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n California Public Employees Retirement System\u00a0(CalPERS)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n POB 94211, Sacramento, CA 94229-2711<\/p>\n\n\n\n (888) 225-7377\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n www.calpers.ca.gov<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n This office needs to be contacted in order for beneficiaries to receive the proceeds of the $20,000 life insurance policy provided for each eligible District certificated employee who dies while in active status. Additionally, if the deceased person was covered by an additional group life insurance policy through LAUSD, this office will initiate that process as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the survivor wants to continue health insurance coverage as an individual, LAUSD can advise on COBRA Continuation Coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LAUSD Benefits Administration<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n POB 513307, Los Angeles, CA 90051-0298<\/p>\n\n\n\n 213\/241-4262; fax 213\/241-4247 <\/p>\n\n\n\n benefits@lausd.net<\/p>\n\n\n\n In person: 333 S. Beaudry Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90017<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n When a certificated employee on active status dies, several actions are implemented. Of particular concern to beneficiaries is that the law requires any warrant for salary due to the deceased employee, must be sent to the Office of the County Superintendent of Schools before distribution to the proper parties. Once approved by the County, the check is returned to LAUSD for distribution to the employee\u2019s designated beneficiary. Also, if the decedent was an active employee, it is a good idea to check the voluntary payroll deductions section of their last salary warrant. Any organizations for which a deduction is listed should be contacted, especially since it could be for insurance or 403b plans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact: LAUSD Payroll Services Salary Delivery Unit<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n (213) 241-2921<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools<\/p>\n\n\n\n 9300 East Imperial Highway<\/p>\n\n\n\n Downey, CA 90242<\/p>\n\n\n\n 562\/922-6111<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n If the deceased member was employed by an Independent Charter, not affiliated with LAUSD, their administration will need to be contacted.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most UTLA bargaining unit members do not pay into the Social Security System through their employer.\u00a0\u00a0However, some employees may have earned qualifying credits either from previous jobs or second jobs.\u00a0\u00a0Contact the Social\u00a0Security Administration to determine eligibility for benefits: 800\/772-1213.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the deceased served in the U.S. Armed Forces, contact the Regional Office of the Veteran\u2019s Administration <\/p>\n\n\n\n 11000 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 827-1000<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n There are two credit unions that UTLA members commonly use. They should be contacted to see if the decedent had any open accounts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n California Credit Union<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n 420 N. Rosenell Terrance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Los Angeles, CA 90026-4996<\/p>\n\n\n\n (213) 484-0127 or (800) 334-8788<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n First Financial Federal Credit Union<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n POB 1110<\/p>\n\n\n\n West Covina, CA 91790<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 537-8491<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Active UTLA Members are automatically covered for the following benefits and should contact the below providers for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 238-1133<\/p>\n\n\n\n $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Double benefit if occurs while on the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (650) 552-5278<\/p>\n\n\n\n $2,000 Death Benefit, $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment, $50,000 AD&D occurs while on the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 637-4636<\/p>\n\n\n\n $1,000 Complimentary Life Insurance, up to $5,000 in Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), $50,000 AD&D occurs on the job, $150,000 Life Insurance unlawful homicide while on job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n (800) 722-3365<\/p>\n\n\n\n $1,000 Complimentary Accidental Death Insurance, if death is caused by accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n If an active employee\u2019s death was work related, contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n UTLA\u2019s Grievance Coordinator\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Carl Joseph<\/p>\n\n\n\n (213) 368-6234\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n cjoseph@utla.net<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n Survivors can contact UTLA to review membership records to determine if any additional insurance providers should be contacted by the beneficiary. Please make sure to have the Members LAUSD or UTLA ID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UTLA Membership Department<\/p>\n\n\n\n (213) 637-5200\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nBeneficiaries May Be Different<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
CalSTRS and CalPERS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
LAUSD Benefits Administration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
LAUSD Payroll Services<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Independent Charter Administration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Social Security Administration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Veterans Administration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Contact The Credit Union<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
UTLA Member Benefits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
AFT <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
CTA <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NEA <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pacific Educators <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If The Death Was Work Related<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Contact The UTLA Membership Office<\/h2>\n\n\n\n