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Show HILL TOP TIMES Page 14 n December 18, 1981 records mergeocy biw, update personal "What am I going to do now?" Bank and credit union account numbers Safe deposit box numbers and A hundred questions raced through the young widow's mind as the base chaplain and the personal affairs officer tried to comfort her over her loss. But comfort just wasn't enough. "What am I going to do now?" The questions kept coming back. "Where will I go? What about the children's education? How will I make a How will I collect the living? insurance: You're not around to help her now. But you could have helped her in advance with the aid of the base personal affairs office. Through the personal affairs office, mortuary services and the legal office, the Air Force provides advice and assistance to active duty personnel to prepare for the untimely death of a family member. Air Force agencies will notify next of kin, help arrange funeral services, coordinate with other agencies (i.e., Social Veterans Administration, and and advice give legal Security, etc.) aid concerning benefits, inheritance tax and settlement of the estate. But if your spouse doesn't have the right documents and information, he or she might have a difficult time, even with the Air Force's help. You should have the following documents where you or' your spouse can find them easily: location Birth certificates for all family members Adoption and divorce decrees (when applicable) Marriage and death certificates Life insurance policies and policy numbers Stocks, bonds and securities Titles of ownership Real estate titles ' Wills Power of attorney Report of separation (DD Form 214) and retirement orders Tax returns for the past four years Copies of promotiqn orders, listing all dates of rank. These documents will be vital in obtaining survivors' benefits for your spouse. They may also decide how he or she will provide for your family after you're gone. But having a safe full of papers isn't enough. There are other plans that you and your spouse should make. One of the most important considerations is a will. X .:' "But wills are so morbid," you say. "Who likes to think about dying? Only old people make out wills. Besides, I don't have that much to leave anyway." As difficult as it is to think of the time -- help take care of most arrangements when there i3 a death. But as the personal affairs staff advises, "No matter how responsive the Air Force can be, it will fall short if you don't plan Force after your death, there is comfort in knowing that what you leave will be left, to the right people. Remember, a will speeds the settlement of your estate, and whether you realize it or not, you have a great deal to leave behind. There's a death gratuity of up to $3,000. ' There are unpaid pay and allowances. And most active duty members are eligible for Servicemen's Group Life Insurance, which is now $35,000. Which brings up the question of life " insurance. Will there be enough to provide for your family if you die? You may want to consider a commercial life insurance policy to augment the SGLI . "But I'm young," you say, "and life insurance is, for old people." Actually, the best time to buy insurance is when you are young. Rates are lower and policies are easier to get when you're young and healthy. Another point which should be considered is where your family will live if you die. You and your spouse whould make that decision now. Whatever the decision, it is important that it be made ahead." Planning ahead also includes keeping your Record of Emergency Data (DD Form 93) up to date. According to SSgt. Daniel S. Bago, NCOIG Base Personal Affairs Office, the Record of Emergency Data is one of the said. Many other things should be considered now, including travel entitlements, identification cards, base privileges, career and education plans, state benefits and income tax benefits. It's to your advantage to let the Air BisnQiii is still 0 gi Conor a ;J!& documents important V : To update the form, all you have to do is visit the Customer Service Center of the Consolidated Base Personnel Office. Sergeant Bago emphasized, "It is a member's responsibility to make sure the form is up to date and ' before it's too late. most contained in a member's record. "It is the first thing that is pulled from a person's record in an emergency," he accurate." . To help plan your personal affairs, the Air Force Logistics Command headquarters personal affairs office has prepared a pamphlet titled, "AFLC Guide for Planning for Your Survivors. ' ' The guide goes into more detail about what plans need to be made and how to make them. It also refers you to agencies in and out of the Air Force that can help you plan. You can get a copy of the pamphlet by visiting the base personal affairs office in building 180. (LOGNEWS) A a 1 2? . I c J When she's heating a mobile home or other airtight structure at today's energy cost. (g&- BEAT INCREASES Itl HEATING DILLS WITH ASAFIRE GEfA OTHER BRANDS FROM $250.00 From 36000 Up Sold Exclusively By: OPEN WEEKDAYS SAT, 10:00 to 5:00 MOPMIIESTIEAl) IEMTIEIRIIPIRIES1ES 1998 SO. HIWAY 89 O PERRY, UTAH 84302 O 723-628- 7 ASK FOR EVEHSULtOn |