Death To-Do List
Overview
The passing of a veteran initiates a significant administrative burden for surviving family members. Acting promptly—ideally within 30 days—helps prevent benefit overpayments and reduces complications with financial institutions and government agencies.
BLUF: When a veteran dies, survivors face paperwork on top of grief. Get death certificates (10-15 copies), notify agencies, and handle benefits within a month. You don't inherit debt you didn't co-sign—the estate handles that.
Essential Documents to Gather
Collecting these items early streamlines the notification process:
| Document Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| DD214 (Discharge Papers) | Military benefit verification |
| Death Certificates (10-15 copies) | Required by nearly every institution |
| Social Security Card | SSA notification |
| Marriage Certificate | Survivor benefit claims |
| Children's Birth Certificates | Dependent benefit claims |
| Property Deeds/Titles | Estate administration |
| Insurance Policy Documents | Claim filing |
| Recent Tax Returns/W-2s | Estate tax and income verification |
| Vehicle Titles/Registration | Transfer of ownership |
| Loan Documents/Contracts | Debt settlement |
| Bank Account Information | Account transition |
Agency Notification Checklist
Veterans Affairs
Phone: 1-800-827-1000
Contact if the veteran received disability compensation, pension, or other VA benefits. Report the death promptly to prevent overpayments that complicate estate settlement.
Social Security Administration
Phone: 1-800-772-1213
- Report the death to stop benefit payments
- Surviving spouses should ask about eligibility for increased survivor benefits
- Determine if minor children qualify for dependent benefits
Military Retirement (If Applicable)
Two separate agencies handle military retirement matters:
- DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System): 1-800-538-9552
- DFAS (Defense Finance and Accounting Service): 1-888-332-7411
Federal Civil Service
Phone: 1-888-767-6738 (OPM)
Contact if the deceased worked as a federal civilian employee for pension and death benefit information.
Private Employment
Reach out to any current or former employer's HR department regarding pension plans, 401(k) accounts, and employer-provided death benefits.
Insurance Matters
Health Coverage
Contact the health insurance provider to terminate the deceased's coverage while ensuring your own coverage remains active. This applies to employer plans, Medicare, TRICARE, and private insurance.
Life Insurance Claims
VA Life Insurance Programs: - SGLI/VGLI/FSGLI: 1-877-832-4943 - S-DVI and VALife: 1-800-669-8477
Private Policies: - Locate all policy documents - Contact each insurance company with policy number - Submit certified death certificate copies - Complete and return claim forms
Critical Step: Update beneficiary designations on your own policies to remove the deceased.
Financial Account Transitions
Banking: - Convert joint accounts to individual accounts - Notify institutions holding individual accounts of the death - Provide death certificate to release funds per state law
Investments: - Contact brokerage firms and financial advisors - Initiate asset transfer procedures - Note: Keep records of account balances on the date of death for tax purposes
Vehicle Ownership: - Transfer titles through your state's motor vehicle department or probate court
Estate Tax Planning: - Consult a tax professional about final return filing requirements - Maintain documentation of all asset values at time of death
Locating Unknown Assets
Finding Bank and Retirement Accounts
- Search the deceased's papers, safe, and filing cabinets
- Review browser bookmarks and saved passwords
- Check mail for statements from financial institutions
- Search Unclaimed.org
- Contact major institutions directly: TSP, USAA, Navy Federal, major national banks
Finding Life Insurance Policies
- Review tax returns for premium deduction hints
- Check the NAIC Life Insurance Policy Locator
- Search state unclaimed property databases
- Ask family members about policies they may be aware of
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I responsible for the deceased's debts?
Generally, no. Debts belong to the estate, not survivors, unless you co-signed or live in a community property state. Debt collectors may contact you, but they cannot force you to pay debts that weren't jointly held.
Why does a will say I get life insurance, but the company says otherwise?
Beneficiary designations on the policy itself override will provisions. Life insurance proceeds go directly to whoever is named on the policy, regardless of what the will states.
Pro Tip: This is exactly why keeping beneficiary designations current matters. Major life events—marriage, divorce, births—should trigger a review of all beneficiary forms.