For The Spouse:  What To Do When A Railroad Employee Dies

Carrier Notification and Remaining Vacation Compensation Requirements

Contact Norfolk Southern Human Resource Representative As Soon As Possible.

Human Resources will need specific information. That information should be gathered before contacting them..

HR will need the following:

Date Of The employee's death

Employees full name (First Name, Middle Initial & Last Name)

Next of kin, including telephone number. If the next of kin is the spouse, their Social Security Number and date of birth will be required.

Norfolk Southern Human Resources 1-757-629-2820 .

Notify The Employee's Trainmaster (keep your spouse's Trainmaster's phone number on file).

Verification Of Employee's Death And Verification Of Estate Beneficiary Are Required By Banking Operations Before Any Unpaid Compensation ( Remaining Vacation  and Personal Leave Days) For Current Year Or Vacation Credit For Subsequent Year (If Earned) Will Be Paid To Anyone.

Banking Operations & Finance Receives The Notice Of Employee's Death From Human Resources.

Banking Operations / Finance Clerk will send the Beneficiary Verification Forms to the next of kin, as  reported to Human Resources. Those forms must be completed, notarized and returned to Finance before any funds are released by the railroad.

Company Provided Met/Life Insurance

Call Met/Life For Insurance Information -  1-800-310-7770  Option 1

Active Employee's Death Benefit - $20,000

Accidental Death Benefit - $16,000 in addition to the $20,000

Retired Employee's Benefit -  $2000

Documents Needed By Met/Life At Time Of Employee's Death:Date Of Birth Of Individual, Social Security Number, Current Address And Date Of Death

A Death Certificate Is Needed

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

Railroad Retirement Board Phone Numbers Are In The Phone Book Under Government Listing In Most Directories.

Go to: http://www.rrb.gov/ for more information, including, local phone numbers.

Documents That Should Be On File With RRB:

Photo Copies Of Employee's And Spouse’s Social Security Cards

Employee's Birth Certificate - Must Be Raised Seal Original

Spouse's Birth Certificate - Must Be Raised Seal Original

Certificate Of Marriage - Must Be Raised Seal Original

All Raised Seal Original Documents Will Be Copied And Originals Returned To Sender By Certified Mail If RRB Receives Them By Certified Mail.

Military Records (Record Of Separation From Active Duty Form DD214) – Must Be Original

Documents Needed By RRB At Time Of Employee's Death:

Raised Seal Original Copy Of Death Certificate

Amount Of Burial Fund Money Received Is Determined By Years Of Service And Date When Service Began.

Burial Fund Of $255 Could Be Paid To Spouse Or Survivors.

Health Insurance Options

The Health And Welfare Plan Of The Nation's Railroads And The Labor Organizations

Dependent Health Care Benefits (GA-23000) Will Continue Until The End Of The Fourth Month Following The Month Of The Employee Death (These 4 Months Are Part Of The 36 Months Eligibility)

Optional Continuation Of Coverage Under GA-46000 / COBRA

COBRA Coverage May Be Continued For 36 Months From the Date Of The Employee's Death At A Rate Of $642.76 Per Month    (A Qualified Beneficiary has 60 Days To Elect COBRA)

When Qualified Beneficiary And Dependent Coverage End Under GA-23000

Major Medical Expense Benefits Are Available Under GA-23111 Plan C Until Medicare Eligible For $425.00 Per Month

Railroad Employees National Dental Plan And Railroad Employees National Vision Plan

Eligible Dependents Will Continue To Be Covered Under The Plan Until The End Of The Fourth Month Following The Death Of The Employee.

Other Areas Not To Be Overlooked

401K Plan Benefits

Contact  Human Resource Representative. They Will Contact Vanguard and/or Merrill Lynch (401K plans).

Vanguard and/or Merrill Lynch Will Contact The Beneficiary Listed On The Account.

Veteran Benefits

Contact your local American Legion or VFW Post for information concerning benefits available.

Contact Job Insurance Companies

Some job insurance companies provide Accidental Death Policies (BRCF  provides a $50,000 Accidental Death benefit to its members).  BRCF  - 1-800-233-7080    LECMPA  ph # - 1-800-514-0010  The estate should contact the companies that the member had a policy with to be sure that all benefits are received. In addition, they should make contact with all insurance companies which the family had policies with to take full advantage of any benefits available through those sources.

Contact the BLET Local Chairman

Some local units have policies available to their membership.  Contacting the Local Chairman will ensure that all benefits are made available to the family. Contacting your Local Chairman will help find the right people to contact.