Recently Bereaved?
The first thing you need to do is report the enrollee’s death to the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). Send a photocopy of the death certificate to EBD by mail or secure fax. (Or, if the enrollee worked for a Participating Agency, reach out to the agency for the next steps.)
When the primary enrollee passes away, dependents will enter the extended benefits period. This means that, for the first three months, dependents will continue their NYSHIP coverage at no cost. (The three month–period begins after the last month that the premium was paid.)
During this period, you will receive information about enrolling in NYSHIP as a dependent survivor.
Who Qualifies?
You may qualify for dependent survivor coverage if the person who passed away:
- Had at least 10 years of benefits-eligible service, or
- Received an accidental disability retirement or performance of duty disability retirement.
How to Enroll
The steps below apply to the primary surviving dependent. This is usually a surviving spouse or a guardian caring for dependent children.
Step 1: Report the Death
You must report the enrollee’s death to the Employee Benefits Division (EBD). Send a photocopy of the death certificate to EBD by mail or secure fax.
Contact the enrollee’s retirement system about pension benefits. They require an original or certified death certificate.
If the death was work-related, the Workers’ Compensation Board will send a letter confirming this.
Once EBD receives the death certificate, eligibility will be reviewed and you will be notified by mail.
Step 2: Enroll in Dependent Survivor Coverage
In many cases, dependents of a retired enrollee are automatically enrolled and do not need to take further action.
In some situations, you will receive a Dependent Survivor Transaction Form (PS-157).
If you receive this form, complete it and return it by the deadline listed in the letter. Missing the deadline may cause you to lose eligibility.
Medicare Enrollment
If you are eligible for Medicare, you must be enrolled when your dependent survivor coverage begins. Medicare will become your primary coverage (meaning it will pay first).
Cost
Your mail notification about your eligibility will include the monthly premium costs for the rest of the calendar year. Premium costs may change every year.
Your premium is affected by several factors, including:
- Date of the deceased enrollee's retirement
- If the deceased enrollee selected the dual annuitant sick leave credit option when they retired
- Which NYSHIP health insurance plan was selected
End of Coverage
Dependent survivor coverage will permanently end if a:
- Spouse remarries
- Domestic partner acquires a new domestic partner or marries
- Dependent child no longer meets the eligibility requirements
- Dependent survivor fails to make the required payments
If You Do Not Qualify
If you are not eligible for dependent survivor coverage, you may be eligible to continue your NYSHIP coverage through other options:
- COBRA
- Direct-pay contract
Talk to EBD for more information.