I just got a notification letter from Prudential offering condolences for the death of my husband. I went into the computer room to ask him if it was ok for me to keep the money. Then I called the company because he said yes. They were surprised that the company he had worked for for decades had submitted the mis-information. Being a conspriacist, would they have done this to save on premium payments?
"Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." I hope his employer didn't notify Social Security/Medicare of his demise.
Wow! That's messed up. Not only Social Security/Medicare the BMV, IRS, BOE, credit cards, it could create a domino effect. Everything that has his ss#/DOB on it.
I'd like to thank you for this thought. It was impossible to talk to anyone at Dave's company. None of the numbers on the menu was "I'm not dead." at the human resources number. I sent an email but then was freaked out at the thought of having to wait a month or more to be reinstated with SSA or Medicare. So I went to the office in town in person. Dave was still alive.
You gotta let us know what happened after you talk to his company. I've never heard of this happening to anyone I know, but I don't think I've known anyone whose employer continued to provide life insurance coverage after they retired.
That's good news. I have heard horror stories about people being reported deceased to SS and it taking an act of God to get things straightened out. Edit to add: I can't believe an insurance company didn't require a death certificate in this case. @John Brunner -- the company my husband and I retired from provides life insurance until we turn 70; after that we are on our own. We have the option of maintaining the policy they provide but we don't plan to do so.
The life insurance company sent forms and a request for a death certificate to get the benefits. It was probably just a mis-typed key somehow. And there are 6 couples in just this town with our names. More common than Smith, I guess. We didn't even know he had life insurance from the company. Darn! I should have asked how much.
I wonder how often that happens...ex-employees not even realizing the company is carrying life insurance for them, and premiums getting paid long after someone has died. There has gotta be a process in place so premiums don't get paid in perpetuity. And there must be a way to get refunds for the over-payments.
If you call the insurance company again, @Mary Stetler , you can ask them to send a duplicate copy of your husband’s insurance policy. then you will know exactly what is covered and how much the benefits are for, and who the beneficiary is. That way, if you do need it, you will have a copy of the policy number, and anything else you need.
When my first husband died I didn't know about any insurance the company had. He died at work and I think that was a plus to it. Definitely helped back then. This really was a kind of wake up call that we can't be prepared for everything.
I wonder how much of that stuff goes unclaimed. I've worked for businesses that automatically insure you for an amount based upon your salary (2x, 3x, etc.) and you can buy extra coverage if you like. I believe there are efforts to contact beneficiaries/next-of-kin in those instances, but a regular life insurance company would have no idea when an insured individual kicks the bucket.
That might be a good thing. If the life insurance folks knew when someone met their demise, then the government might know too and the dead guy would lose his right to vote.
I'm annoyed. In my latest grocery order, I bought a jar of Dole sliced peaches in natural juice. I put the jar in the refrigerator a couple of days ago and got it out today to have some on my cottage cheese. I noticed some stamped info on the plastic jar, so I looked closer to see if it was an expiration date. Nope. It says "fruit grown in CHINA." What the hell. Guess I won't buy that again. I also learned something today. I always thought that Dole was an American company, but apparently I was incorrect. "Dole plc (previously named Dole Food Company and Standard Fruit Company) is an Irish-American agricultural multinational corporation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The company is among the world's largest producers of fruit and vegetables, operating with 38,500 full-time and seasonal employees who supply some 300 products in 75 countries." Oh... and I also learned that China currently provides 55% of the world's supply of apples.
That's insane. So stuff is either raised/grown in China and processed elsewhere, or it's grown elsewhere and processed in China??? And as a Virginian, I'd be offended to go to the store and find Chinese apples..although I'm sure most chains ain't buyin' local. We got orchards and apple festivals all across the state.