Public Employee Press

Update your beneficiary information

It is important to keep your beneficiary information updated.

If your beneficiary's address, name, or marital status changes, especially if your beneficiary resides outside the United States, notify the DC 37 Health and Security Plan.

You may also want to change your beneficiary if you do not wish a divorced spouse to receive your death benefit.

The plan has posted a new form for the death benefit on the union's website. You may also get the form by calling the plan's Inquiry Unit at 212-815-1234 or visiting the inquiry desk on the third floor at DC 37, 125 Barclay St. in Manhattan.

The new form replaces the yellow card that members and retirees formerly used to name beneficiaries.

To download the new "Change of Beneficiary Form," go to the union website, www.dc37.net. Go to Health & Security under Benefits on the right. The form is in the Enrollment section.

The new form lets you name up to three primary beneficiaries and up to four contingent beneficiaries. The benefit is divided equally among the beneficiaries unless you indicate otherwise.

The new form must be notarized, and you should keep a copy for your file.

For members, the plan provides a $10,000 death benefit; for retirees, $2,000.

If children are named and they are under 18 when the member dies, a custodial letter will go to the children's surviving natural parent if the children live with that parent. The benefit will be paid in installments of $500 a month.