The death benefits of the Death and Disability Plan are designed to protect your eligible survivors against a sudden loss of income. The death benefits available to eligible survivors of active and disabled members may include:

• Salary Continuation Benefit
  Provides a death benefit equal to the greater of your annual effective salary or the annual churchwide median salary for your employment classification (known as the Death Benefit Basis). more
• Lump Sum Death Benefit
  Enhances security for eligible survivors by taking the member's age into consideration, basing the payment on a sliding scale. more
• Living Needs Benefit
  Permits members who are terminally ill and expected to live 24 months or less to use part of your Salary Continuation Benefit and Lump Sum Benefit before your death. more
• Children's Education Benefit
  Provides an annual allowance for post-secondary full-time study for dependent children under the age of 25. more
• Survivor's Pension
  If you die before retirement and have accrued vested pension credits, the Plan pays a Survivor's Pension to your spouse or other eligible dependents. The normal Survivor's Pension will equal one-half of the pension credits you have earned up to the date of your death. more
• Supplemental Death Benefits
  You may be eligible to subscribe for Supplemental Death Benefits coverage, which allows you to provide more financial security after your death. more

Payment of Benefits

When the Board of Pensions learns of your death, we send a Death Benefits Claim form to your spouse, dependents, or beneficiary. The Board will request a copy of your certificate of death. Benefits will be paid after the appropriate information is received by the Board of Pensions.

Appeals

If your application for death benefits is denied, your beneficiary has the right to appeal. Refer to the Death Benefits summary plan document for additional information.