The short answer
It depends on a choice made when his pension started, and that choice usually cannot be changed now. The plan can tell you exactly what was chosen and what, if anything, you will receive. Ask for it in writing.
This chapter explains how things usually work in the United States. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and the rules where you live may differ. Before you act on anything here, check it with one of the people named at the end of the chapter.
What to do
- Find his latest pension statement, or the name of each employer or union that may have paid him one.
- Call each plan administrator and report the death, if no one has yet.
- Ask which survivor option was chosen and what, if anything, you will receive.
- Ask what they need from you, and ask for the summary plan description.
- Search PBGC's Find unclaimed retirement benefits for any old pension from a private employer.
- Contact the VA or a free accredited representative, if he served.
- Get every answer in writing, and keep it in your folder.
What can wait
- Challenging a choice made when his pension started. Ask a lawyer only if something looks wrong.
- Reading the whole summary plan description. The survivor section is enough for now.
- Searching for very old pensions, once the ones you know about are under way.
Who can help
His pension plan administrator, at the number on his statements. PBGC, 1-800-400-7242, for a private pension whose plan ended.
The VA, 1-800-827-1000. An accredited veterans service organization representative, whose help is always free.
What each of these people actually does, at the back of this book, says what the plan administrator and a veterans service organization representative do.
The rules, phone numbers and web addresses in this book were checked against the agencies’ own pages in October 2026. They change, so check anything you rely on with the office itself.
From Book 2: The Money
This page has the short answer and the closing lists from chapter 3. The full chapter explains, in plain words, what exists, what to ask, and who can answer. The book covers months 1 to 6.
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