This is a private page with contact information for various agencies and organizations that span states. It may not be 100% accurate in the future, but it is a place to start looking.
Federal Government
Federal Employee Annuitant
- https://www.opm.gov/frequently-asked-questions/insure-faq/life/how-do-i-report-the-death-of-an-annuitant/
- Call or report online
- https://www.opm.gov/reportdeath
- Main number: 1-888-767-6738
- 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
- Call early or after 3:00 pm to reduce waiting
- You will need the benefit ID, CF——–. It should be on the federal or state tax forms in the annuity section.
Social Security Administration
- https://www.ssa.gov/personal-record/when-someone-dies
- A funeral director should notify the SSA of a death.
- If you want to verify, you can call.
- Main Office: 1-800-772-1213
- LaCrosse Office: (https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp) 1-866-770-2345
- A social security check received at the end of the month of death must be returned. (e.g., passing in July, the check at the end of July/beginning of August must be returned.)
- SSA notifies Medicare
Medicare
- Medicare is notified by the SSA, so just contact the SSA
Cancel Passport
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/have-passport/lost-stolen.html
- Main number: 1-877-487-2778
- A passport can be renewed if it was issued within 15 years, it cannot be renewed if it has been expired more than 5 years. In this case, just destroy it.
- To cancel a passport, send the following:
- Valid Passport
- Certified Death Certificate (I would send copy.)
- Letter requesting destruction or return of passport
- to:
- Consular Lost And Stolen Passport Unit (CLASP)
- 44132 Mercure Circle
- P.O. Box 1227
- Sterling, VA 20166-1227
IRS
Individual Income Tax
- https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-to-file-a-final-tax-return-for-someone-who-has-passed-away
- Final taxes are filed at the next normal tax time.
- If it is late enough in the year, you may want to leave a bank account open in the decedents name to receive any tax refund. Otherwise, extra paperwork is required.
Fiduciary for Estate Income Tax
- If the estate makes more than $600 in income, an estate income tax return is required.
- https://www.irs.gov/individuals/file-an-estate-tax-income-tax-return
Estate Tax
- In 2024, $13.61 million is exempt from estate taxes, so there should be no estate tax for most estates.
- Forms may need to be filed to prove this.
- Establish/Revoke Fiduciary standing: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-56
- Determine Estate Tax: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-706
Veterans Benefits
- Contact the department of veterans affairs (https://www.va.gov/survivors/contact_us.asp) about:
- Claiming Benefits: Burial Benefits, Death/Survivor Benefits, Veterans Life Insurance
- Cancelling Benefits: Compensation, Pension, Education, Health
Military Retirement Benefits
- Report a military retiree’s death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to stop pension payments and receive survivor benefit forms, if enrolled.
Organizations
Credit Reporting Agencies
- Need to Provide:
- Copy of death certificate
- Letter with Information about deceased
- Legal Name
- Social Security Number
- Date of Birth
- Date of Death
- and information about sender
- Your name
- Your mailing address
- Copy of identification (e.g., drivers license)
- Proof that you have authority to report the death as a copy of the will, executor agreement, power of attorney documents, court documents authorizing you to act on their behalf.
- TransUnions appears to have the most lenient proof requirements
- Links to credit agency reporting guides
Credit Card Companies
Discover
American Express
VISA
- Contact this issuer of the card. VISA credit cards do not appear to be a single entity, unlike Discover and American Express.
MasterCard
- Contact this issuer of the card. MasterCard credit cards do not appear to be a single entity, unlike Discover and American Express.
Other
- Banks
- Credit Unions
- Investment Brokers
- Financial Advisors
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Long-term Care Insurance
- Home Insurance
- Vehicle Insurance
- Gas
- Electric
- Water
- Sewer
- Trash
- Cable
- Internet