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Identify Employment Status & Benefits
Employment & Benefits
Determine if the deceased was employed, self-employed, or retired. If employed, contact their employer to notify them of the death and request employment records. Ask about any outstanding wages, retirement plans, pensions, 401(k)s, or company-funded IRAs. Also check for HSA (Health Savings Account) balances or benefits. Record employer contact details for follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Process
What employment benefits should I check for?
Check for: group life insurance (often 1-2x annual salary, sometimes with additional voluntary coverage), accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, final paycheck and accrued PTO/vacation payout, pension or defined benefit plan survivor benefits, 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan balance, stock options or restricted stock units (RSUs), deferred compensation plans, HSA balance, dependent care FSA, workers' compensation death benefits (if the death was work-related), and any union benefits or supplemental insurance.
What if the deceased was self-employed?
Self-employed individuals may have: individual life insurance policies, a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE IRA, or solo 401(k), business insurance (key person, buy-sell agreement), accounts receivable (money owed to the business), business assets that need to be secured or sold, and ongoing contracts or client obligations. Check their business bank accounts, tax returns (Schedule C or business entity returns), and any partnership or operating agreements for relevant provisions.
Costs
Are there workers' compensation death benefits?
If the death was caused by or related to a workplace injury or occupational illness, the surviving spouse and dependent children may be eligible for workers' compensation death benefits. These typically include a percentage of the deceased's average weekly wage (often 60-75%), paid weekly for a defined period or until remarriage in some states, plus a burial benefit ($5,000-$10,000 in most states). File a claim with the employer's workers' compensation insurer. There are strict time limits for filing, often 1-2 years.
Options
What about union or professional association benefits?
Unions and professional associations often provide: supplemental life insurance, death benefits or survivor funds, pension or annuity plans, scholarship funds for the deceased's children, and assistance with funeral costs. Contact the union hall or association headquarters directly. Have the deceased's membership number or ID ready. Some benefits have short claim windows, so inquire promptly. Also ask about any fraternal organizations (Elks, Moose, Knights of Columbus) that may offer member death benefits.