Before Retirement

The death of a loved one is never easy. MMBB is here to help you cope and to file for all available benefits.

Here are some steps you may take:

Retirement Plans

Be sure to call MMBB for help in coping with this difficult time and with filing for benefits. If your loved one served a church, church members may be eager for ways to help you.
If the deceased was an active participant in the Benefits for Life program at the time of their death:
- Group life insurance benefits are payable to the beneficiary that the member named.
- Monthly survivor benefits are payable to the surviving spouse and eligible children.
- There is a minimum benefit provided to the surviving spouse and eligible children.
If your loved one had accounts in The Annuity Supplement, the Tax-Deferred Annuity, or the Deductible Employee Contribution Account, benefits are payable from these plans to the named beneficiary.

Survivors who were covered under MMBB-sponsored medical and dental insurance may be able to continue benefits for a limited time at no cost.
If the member was not an active participant in Benefits for Life but covered eligible dependents for medical and dental benefits, dependents may be able to continue these benefits for a limited time by paying the premiums.

Submit Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims. If the member participated in an FSA, be sure to file all claims the family incurred before the date of death.

Seek legal counsel for any legal needs at this time, including the duties involved in executing a will, changing property ownership and managing the estate through probate if an estate is required.
- There may be certain Required Minimum Distribution provisions imposed on the surviving spouse and other beneficiaries of the account by the Internal Revenue Service.
Update your records. Contact your employer if you want to change your tax withholding or your emergency contact information.
Update your MMBB beneficiary designations, to be sure they are up-to-date. If you’re not sure who you’ve named, you may wish to submit updated beneficiary forms for your MMBB benefits.
You may wish to review your own insurance needs at this time and update any other beneficiary designations for any benefits covering you.

In times of change, be sure to take care of yourself. Watch your nutrition and exercise, and get help when you need it.
Begin to consider what child care arrangements you may need, if any.