If a Member Dies

If You Die While an Active Member

If you die while an active member who is eligible for SASMI benefits, your beneficiary or survivor may be eligible for benefits from SASMI:

• Your designated beneficiary may be eligible for a Death Benefit payment.
• Your surviving spouse may be eligible for up to 18 months of benefits to cover his or her health care premiums.
• Your designated beneficiary may be able to apply for your Severance benefit (if you were eligible for one) through SASMI.
• Your surviving dependents may be eligible to continue using your active HRA benefit.

Death Benefit

Eligibility

If you pass away prior to retirement and if the contributions made on your behalf are greater than the benefits paid out, your beneficiary may be eligible to receive a benefit payment that is based on a schedule using your years of accrued Future Service Credit.

Benefit Amount

You must have at least five years of future service credit with a minimum of one hour of paid contributions after January 1, 2010, for your beneficiary to be eligible. Benefit amounts are shown below.

Applying for the Death Benefit

To apply for the Death Benefit, your beneficiary should contact SASMI or your Local Union to receive a paper Separation Application form, which must be completed and submitted within a year of your death.

If a Death Benefit Claim Is Denied

If your beneficiary’s request for the Death Benefit is denied, it may be because:

• He or she is not listed on file as the member’s beneficiary at the time of the member’s death,
• If you were an active member at the time of your death, you did not meet the eligibility requirements for this benefit (five years of future service credit with a minimum of one hour of paid contributions after January 1, 2010 and eligible for SASMI benefits at time of death),
• You had already received benefits from SASMI equal to or more than the contributions paid by his or her employers (100% rule), or
• The request was made more than a year after your death.

If You Were Eligible for the Severance Benefit

If you were eligible for a Severance Benefit as an active member, your beneficiary may be able to apply to receive it if you die.

What Your Survivor Should Do

If you die, your beneficiary should contact the SASMI Fund Office for help with applying for benefits.

If You Had an Active Plan HRA

If you have surviving dependents who were covered by your local SMART welfare plan, they can continue to use your Active Plan HRA as long as they remain covered.

Your Active Plan HRA account balance will be forfeited if you die while an active participant and you don’t have any surviving dependents covered under your SMART welfare plan immediately prior to your death.

What Your Survivor Should Do

If you die, your beneficiary should contact the SASMI Fund Office for help with applying for benefits.

If You Die as a Retired Member

Your beneficiary may be eligible for the Retiree Death Benefit, depending on how many years you were retired. Your HCRA can still be accessed by your surviving spouse. Your surviving spouse should contact the SASMI Fund Office for details.

Retiree Death Benefit

A Retiree Death Benefit is available for your beneficiary for up to five years (60 months) after your retirement and is based on your years of future service credit.

Eligibility

Your named beneficiary may be eligible to receive a Death Benefit from SASMI if:

• You were eligible for both SASMI active benefits and for the HCRA when you retired; and
• You would have been eligible for the Death Benefit as an active participant if you had died the day before you retired; and
• Your beneficiary files the appropriate paperwork within a year of your death.

Amount of Benefit

The table below shows the amount of the benefit your named beneficiary may be eligible to receive depending on the number of months your death occurs after your retirement date.

Applying for the Death Benefit

To apply for the Death Benefit, your beneficiary should contact SASMI or your Local Union to receive a paper Separation Application form, which must be completed and submitted within a year of your death.

If a Death Benefit Claim is Denied

If your beneficiary’s request for the Death Benefit is denied, it may be because:

• He or she is not listed on file as the member’s beneficiary at the time of the member’s death,
• You had not earned enough future service credit or your death occurred after the benefit would be available to a beneficiary (see table above), or
• The request was made more than a year after your death.

Naming a Beneficiary

Your SASMI Death Benefit for active members or Retiree Death Benefit for retired members requires you to name a beneficiary to receive a benefit in the event of your death.

Naming a beneficiary ensures your money will go where you want it to. Your loved one will get timely access—without legal hassles—to money they’re entitled to in the event of your passing. If you don’t have a beneficiary on file at the time of your death, the Trustees will disburse any benefits that may be payable according to Plan rules.

How to Name a Beneficiary

Download a SASMI beneficiary form from your Profile Page on the member portal. Complete it, sign it in ink, and submit it to your Local Union. Keep a copy for your records.

Keep Your Beneficiary Up to Date

As your life changes, make sure you update your beneficiary information accordingly. Life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, and the passing of a loved one may affect your beneficiary information.

To update your beneficiary, download a SASMI beneficiary form from your Profile Page on the member portal. Complete it, sign it in ink, and submit it to your Local Union. Keep a copy for your records.