Pension and Death Benefit

[jndly]

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts..

My brother worked for a company for 22 years..he was fully vested. However, he left the company in 2002 and in 2005 he died at the age of 44 from lung cancer. He left a wife and two children..She's been told that she cannot collect his pension from the company until she turns 55 years of age.. does that sound right? She just turned 45..and could really use the money... Appreciate your feedback.. thank you

[nextwife]

Originally Posted by jndly

What is the name of your state? Massachusetts..

My brother worked for a company for 22 years..he was fully vested. However, he left the company in 2002 and in 2005 he died at the age of 44 from lung cancer. He left a wife and two children..She's been told that she cannot collect his pension from the company until she turns 55 years of age.. does that sound right? She just turned 45..and could really use the money... Appreciate your feedback.. thank you

I'm sorry for your loss.


The pension is not for now.

She needs to:

A. File for SS survivors benefits for her children.
B. Get a job if not working
C. File for all the life insurance policies she carried on him, or that he carried both through his work and as individual plans..
D. Save for her own eventual retirement.