Not affiliated with The United States Office of Personnel Management or any government agency

Not affiliated with The United States Office of Personnel Management or any government agency

Rules for Children’s Survivor Benefits

In some circumstances, the children of deceased federal employees and retirees are eligible for a survivor annuity. For retirees, this benefit is paid even if you didn’t choose a survivor annuity for your spouse when you retired.

Your child must be a dependent who is under 18 and not married to qualify. The following are included under “dependent”:

1) An adopted child

2) Stepchildren (but only if the child has lived with you in the typical parent-child relationship)

3) A recognized natural child

4) A child you lived with and for whom you filed an adoption petition, adopted by your surviving spouse after your passing

A dependent unmarried kid between 18 and 22 enrolled in a full-time course of study or training regularly is exempt from the age restriction. It is also waived for dependent children born with a mental or physical impairment that prevents them from supporting themselves, as long as they continue to be both unable to support themselves and unmarried.

You must give OPM information on your child’s schooling, residence, and work (if any) for your child to be eligible for such a benefit. Aside from that, the doctor for your child must disclose details about the child’s health. The OPM Form RI 25-43, accessible in agency personnel offices or online at www.opm.gov/forms, provides a summary of the required information. Additionally, the amount of the benefit paid to the child or children by the Social Security Administration is deducted for children of FERS or CSRS Offset employees or retirees.

The rules governing annuity payments to children are the same for both CSRS and FERS employees and retirees. However, the amount of the Social Security benefit payable based on the employee or retiree’s Social Security-covered federal employment will be deducted from the annuity payments made to a child of a CSRS-Offset or FERS employee or retiree.

Every time a retiree’s cost-of-living adjustment occurs, the annuity payable is based on a revised formula (COLA). Rates vary a little, but where a kid’s living parent was the deceased employee or retiree’s current or former spouse, the annuity benefit payable is the lesser of approximately $6,000 per month per child or approximately $1,800 per month divided by the number of eligible children.

The payment payable is the lesser of approximately $700 per month per kid or approximately $2,100 monthly divided by the total number of eligible children if there are no living parents of the child who were married to the deceased employee or retiree.

The rate will always be the lower of the two relevant numbers, whether there are one, two, or three qualifying children. The rate per child decreases correspondingly when there are four or more kids.

The annuity is enhanced if the employee/retiree’s married parent passes away before the child’s benefit ends. There may be other grounds for adjusting benefits. The pensions of the remaining eligible children are increased prospectively, for instance, if they are being paid to more than three children and one of them has had their annuity terminated for whatever reason – such as aging out of eligibility.

The survivor annuity payable to each eligible kid begins the day after the employee or retiree passes away and expires on the last day of the month before the child’s death, marriage, turning 18 years old, or, if over 18 and disabled, becoming self-sufficient.

What do you need to submit a child benefit application?

You’ll need the child’s birth certificate or another kind of proof of birth or adoption when applying for benefits for your child. You’ll also need the child’s and parent’s Social Security numbers. Other documentation can be requested, depending on the kind of reward involved. For instance, if you want to apply for the child’s survivor benefits, you’ll be asked to produce evidence of the parent’s passing. You must also present medical documentation to support your claim for assistance on behalf of a kid with a disability. Any other documentation you might need will be explained to you by the SSA representative assisting with your application.

Can benefits continue at age 18?

The benefits end when your child turns 18, unless they are still in school or have a condition. The SSA will send you a notice three months before your child turns 18 informing you that their benefits will stop if they are still enrolled in school. Benefits continue even if your child attends an elementary or secondary school full-time (grade 12 or below). It’s crucial to adhere to the guidelines if your child is less than 19 and still enrolled in an elementary or secondary school.

Contact Information:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 3604642979

Bio:
After entering the financial services industry in 1994, it was a desire to guide people towards their financial independence that drove Aaron to start Steele Capital Management in 2013. Armed with an extensive background in financial planning and commercial banking coupled with a sincere passion for helping people, Aaron has the expertise and affinity for serving the unique needs of those in transition. Clients benefit from his objective financial solutions and education aligned solely with
helping them pursue the most comfortable financial life possible.

Born in Olympia, Washington, Aaron spent much of his childhood in Denver, Colorado. An area outside of Phoenix, Arizona, known as the East Valley, occupies a special place in Aaron’s heart. It is where he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, started a family, and advanced his professional career.

Having now returned to his hometown of Olympia, and with the days of coaching his sons football and baseball teams behind him, he now has time to pursue his civic passions. Aaron is proud to serve on the Board of Regents Leadership for Thurston County as the Secretary and Treasurer for the Morningside area. His past affiliations include the West Olympia Rotary and has served on various committees for organizations throughout his community.

Aaron and his beautiful wife, Holly, a Registered Nurse, consider their greatest accomplishment having raised Thomas and Tate, their two intelligent and motivated sons. Their oldest son Tate is following in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and currently attends the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. Their beloved youngest son, Thomas, is a student at Olympia High School.

Focused on helping veterans and their families navigate the maze of long-term care solutions, Aaron specializes in customized strategies to avoid the financial crisis that care related expenses can create. Experience has shown him that many seniors are not prepared for the economic transition that takes place as they reach an advanced age.

With support from the American Academy of Benefit Planners – an organization with expertise and resources on the intricacies of government benefits – he helps clients close the gap between the cost of care and their income while protecting their assets from depletion.

Aaron can help you and your family to create, preserve and protect your legacy.

That’s making a difference.

Disclosure:
Investment advisory services are offered through BWM Advisory, LLC (BWM). BWM is registered as an Investment Advisor located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and only conducts business in states where it is properly licensed, notice has been filed, or is excluded from notice filing requirements. This information is not a complete analysis of the topic(s) discussed, is general in nature, and is not personalized investment advice. Nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. There are risks involved with investing which may include (but are not limited to) market fluctuations and possible loss of principal value. Carefully consider the risks and possible consequences involved prior to making any investment decision. You should consult a professional tax or investment advisor regarding tax and investment implications before taking any investment actions or implementing any investment strategies.

After entering the financial services industry in 1994, it was a desire to guide people towards their financial independence that drove Aaron to start Steele Capital Management in 2013. Armed with an extensive background in financial planning and commercial banking coupled with a sincere passion for helping people, Aaron has the expertise and affinity for serving the unique needs of those in transition. Clients benefit from his objective financial solutions and education aligned solely with
helping them pursue the most comfortable financial life possible.

Born in Olympia, Washington, Aaron spent much of his childhood in Denver, Colorado. An area outside of Phoenix, Arizona, known as the East Valley, occupies a special place in Aaron’s heart. It is where he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, started a family, and advanced his professional career.

Having now returned to his hometown of Olympia, and with the days of coaching his sons football and baseball teams behind him, he now has time to pursue his civic passions. Aaron is proud to serve on the Board of Regents Leadership for Thurston County as the Secretary and Treasurer for the Morningside area. His past affiliations include the West Olympia Rotary and has served on various committees for organizations throughout his community.

Aaron and his beautiful wife, Holly, a Registered Nurse, consider their greatest accomplishment having raised Thomas and Tate, their two intelligent and motivated sons. Their oldest son Tate is following in his father’s entrepreneurial footsteps and currently attends the Carson College of Business at Washington State University. Their beloved youngest son, Thomas, is a student at Olympia High School.

Focused on helping veterans and their families navigate the maze of long-term care solutions, Aaron specializes in customized strategies to avoid the financial crisis that care related expenses can create. Experience has shown him that many seniors are not prepared for the economic transition that takes place as they reach an advanced age.

With support from the American Academy of Benefit Planners – an organization with expertise and resources on the intricacies of government benefits – he helps clients close the gap between the cost of care and their income while protecting their assets from depletion.

Aaron can help you and your family to create, preserve and protect your legacy.

That’s making a difference.

Disclosure: Investment advisory services are offered through BWM Advisory, LLC (BWM). BWM is registered as an Investment Advisor located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and only conducts business in states where it is properly licensed, notice has been filed, or is excluded from notice filing requirements. This information is not a complete analysis of the topic(s) discussed, is general in nature, and is not personalized investment advice. Nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice. There are risks involved with investing which may include (but are not limited to) market fluctuations and possible loss of principal value. Carefully consider the risks and possible consequences involved prior to making any investment decision. You should consult a professional tax or investment advisor regarding tax and investment implications before taking any investment actions or implementing any investment strategies.

Contact Aaron Steele

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