Policy 102.3 : Payment of Death Benefits

        U N I V E R S I T Y   O F   S O U T H E R N   M A I N E


POLICY #:  102.3
SUBJECT:  PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFITS
APPLIES TO:  ALL REGULAR EMPLOYEES
ISSUED BY:  UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM
EFFECTIVE DATE:  12/85



The following are procedures to assure appropriate payment of
benefits in the event of the death of an employee.

    1. Notification - The Benefits Specialist, Division of Human
       Resources, should be notified immediately of the death of
       an employee.  The Benefits Specialist will notify the
       Benefits Office, SWS.

    2. Death Certificate - A copy of the Death Certificate for the
       deceased should be forwarded to the Benefits Specialist,
       Division of Employee Relations, as soon as possible, who
       will in turn send it to the SWS Benefits Office.  A copy of
       the Certificate may be obtained from the town office or City
       Hall where the person was residing at time of death; there
       is a small fee.  Also, a copy of the Certificate may be
       obtained from the mortician.

    3. Final Salary Check - The Benefits Specialist will notify SWS
       Payroll Office of the death as soon as the information is
       received.
       That office will prepare a final check which includes the
       salary amount for the month in which the death occurred plus
       any other outstanding credits due.  The check, payable to
       the estate of the deceased faculty member, will be mailed
       to the spouse, family member or attorney who is handling
       the estate.

    4. Life Insurance Proceeds - The SWS Benefits Office will
       process a Death Claim form and provide the Life
       Insurance Company with the necessary information for payment
       of life insurance proceeds.  As soon as the check is
       received, it will be forwarded to the Division of Employee
       Relations for direct presentation to the beneficiary.

    5. Faculty Death Benefit - In the case of academic year faculty
       members in the bargaining unit, the SWS Payroll Office will
       charge the payroll account for 1/6 of the employee's annual
       salary or accrued salary, whichever is greater, and include
       this benefit in the final salary check.

    6. Worker's Compensation Death Benefits - If death benefits are
       payable to dependents of the deceased under Worker's
       Compensation, they will be paid under procedures established
       by the SWS Benefits Office and the University's
       Administrator for Worker's Compensation Benefits.

    7. Tuition Waiver - Dependents of a deceased employee who are
       using tuition waiver will be eligible for waiver privileges
       through the end of the academic year during which the
       employee death occurs.

    8. Group Health Insurance - Insured dependents of a deceased
       University employee may continue group health insurance
       coverage by stating their request, in writing, to the
       Division of Human Resources.  This written request must
       be sent to the SWS Benefits Office.  Surviving dependents
       pay one-half the total monthly premium directly to the SWS
       Benefits Office.  Rates will be provided upon request.

    9. TIAA-CREF Retirement Plan - For those enrolled in TIAA-CREF
       and actively employed at the time of death, the SWS Benefits
       Office will notify TIAA-CREF of the death and arrange for
       the necessary forms to be sent to the deceased employee's
       beneficiary.

   10. Maine State Retirement System - For those enrolled in the
       Maine State Retirement System (MSRS) and actively employed
       at the time of their death, the SWS Benefits Office will
       notify MSRS of the death.  MSRS will contact the deceased
       employee's beneficiary.

   11. Non-Contributory Retirement Plan - Death benefits are
       payable only for classified employees enrolled in the
       Non-Contributory Retirement Plan who have elected the
       Pre-Retirement Death Benefit Option.  The SWS Benefits
       Office will advise the actuaries and the other commercial
       institutions that this option is in effect and the
       commercial institution will make the appropriate monthly
       benefit payment to the survivor.

   12. Social Security - Family members requesting information
       regarding Social Security benefits should contact
       the nearest Social Security office.

   13. Wage Statement - The estate or beneficiary of a deceased
       employee may obtain a form W2 (wage statement), prior to
       the regular due date of January 31, upon request to the SWS
       Payroll Office.

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