Fideility will not tell me anything and I am only survivor

[Guest dulan]

My only brother died unexpected recently.

He was divorced three times and didn't have any children.

He would often tell me I was his only survivor and ask my SS to be sure he had it correct.

He would often get into a discussion on dieing and I could not listen. This death has been extremely hard.

I am the only family he has. I am married and have one daughter but that is the extent of our family.

He worked for one of the airlines that is in bankruptcy.

They had recently taken all there compay match back because it was matched with company stock.

He has worked for them almost 25 years.

I was given a list of numbers to call for his benefits and the life insurance has already been sent to me.

The Fidelity told me to send a death certificate when I received one,and the first one had incorrect information on it his birth day was wrong. It took another few weeks to get a new death certificate.

I live in a different state so I have applied to be his administrator and that should take effect the first of Nov.

Well I called Fidelity when I got the death certificate to see if there was anything else to sent and the woman I talked to said the beneficary had already been notified.

I questioned her and she said my SS number was not down and she didn't see my name.

I ask how they could notify a beneficary without a death certificate.

Anyway I called the company he worked for and talked to benefits and they could not tell me anything except to call fedility back and talk to a supervisor.

When I made the second call that same day. the man would not tell me anything except where to send the death certificate. He did at one point tell me the account would be set up under my SS.

I sent the death certificate reg mail and waited and the other day I called and still the person I get on the phone says they don't see my name or SS.

I called back and ask for a supervisor and they would only say that it would be a while before everything was worked out.

They would not tell me that I was the beneficary. My brother was always telling me that I was and how he wanted to be buried.

Now I don't know what to think. I am going to be the administrator and he has been divorced for over three years and he wanted to be sure the ex wife didn't get any of his benefits.

The last call the supervisor at Fedility said I would be getting a letter but on previous calls they said only the beneficary would be getting a letter.

But then I was told that the beneficary had been notified.

So every call I am told something different.

I am concerned and don't know where to go for help.

I never expected my brother to die like this and with the loss of him and trying to handle things I am so stressed.

Why would different people at Fidelity tell me so many stories.

The first person that told me the beneficary was notifed there was not even a death certificate because they had just corrected the mistake and the second one was at the court for me to open up the administration.

Please help.

SAndy

[david rigby]

My condolences on the loss of your brother.

Please note that the Plan in which he participated is a legal document, and the plan sponsor is obliged to follow its written terms. One of those terms is the ability to designate (and change) a beneficiary. If your brother designated someone else (such as a spouse), it is possible that a divorce will not automatically invalidate that designation. If he did not change the designation, then it would (likely) still be in effect.

It may be prudent to use written correspondence with the plan sponsor and/or Fidelity. If you have not already done so, perhaps you could restate the facts (you are his only living relative, etc.), and ask them to identify who is the designated beneficiary. (Most plans have a process to assign a beneficiary if there is no valid designation.) Request a written response. Good luck.

[Locust]

Call the Human Resources Department of his Company. If your brother had an account with a retirement plan with the Company, a Plan Committee or some committee or individual at the Company makes the decision of who is entitled to payment, not Fidelity. There may be a beneficiary designation form on file with the Company. Get the name and title of the person you talk to, take notes, and send a letter to that person confirming what you heard (certified mail/return receipt requested is a good way to mail). Create a file and keep copies of all of your correspondence.