In the event of your death, your surviving family members and/or beneficiary may receive certain benefits. The following chart provides information that will help your survivors file a claim or continue coverage after your death.
Benefits for Your Survivors
| Benefit | What Happens | Who to Contact |
|---|
| Medical | Your eligible dependents may continue coverage for up to 36 months by electing COBRA coverage, or enrolling in Plan A, B or C. | Amtrak Benefits Service Center
800-481-4887 |
| Life Insurance | Your beneficiary should call the Amtrak Benefits Service Center. Your beneficiary will be required to provide a certified death certificate to receive benefits. | Amtrak Benefits Service Center
800-481-4887 |
| Retirement 401(k) Savings Plan | Your beneficiary should contact Fidelity for information regarding your account balance. | Fidelity Investments
877-477-AMTK (2685) |
| Railroad Retirement Annuity | Your surviving spouse should apply for RRB survivor benefits by contacting the local RRB office. | U.S. Railroad Retirement Board
877-772-5772
www.rrb.gov |
| Rail Travel Pass | Your eligible family members will need to complete the Rail Travel Privilege Card Surviving Spouse Application (NRPC Form 3167 9/2013). | Amtrak Travel Services
800-424-0224
202-906-3745 (ATS-777-3745) |
RRB Survivor Benefits (rrb.gov) →
Surviving Spouse Benefits
Surviving Spouse Benefits December 6, 2010 — The BMWED recognized the hardships surviving spouses of deceased Amtrak employees encounter with Amtrak in the period immediately following the employee's death. We took this issue to task and after several months of work have been able to secure a product we feel will serve our member’s families at the most troubling of times. Follow this link for a copy of Amtrak’s Benefit Process for Survivors of Deceased Employees and Deceased Retirees. See also article "Human Resources Offers Help in Time of Grief", page 14 of the Amtrak Ink, March 2011 edition.
BMWED - Amtrak Bereavement Leave
This negotiated benefit helps ease the pain when the tragedy of death strikes. Bereavement leave is paid leave that an employee is entitled to because of the death of a family member as defined by the terms of the BMWED collective bargaining agreement.The BMWED/Amtrak agreement Rule 93 can be viewed here.
Download a copy of the Bereavement Leave Rule with Q+A
Financial Assistance Available for Families of Deceased Railway Employees
The John Edgar Thomson Foundation, established in 1882 and endowed by the will of Mr. Thomson, third President of the Pennsylvania Railroad, offers limited financial assistance to daughters of a deceased parent. The parent, regardless of gender, must have been in the employ of any railroad in the United States at the time of death, although the cause need not be work related. Also, the employee must have been considered actively employed by the railroad even though on disability or sick leave at the time of death. Whatever grant is awarded usually serves to benefit all members of the family. Eligibility is dependant upon the daughter and the surviving parent remaining unmarried and meeting certain other criteria.
The monthly allowance made under the grant may cover the period from infancy to age 18; under certain circumstances to age 24, to assist grantees who are pursuing higher educational goals. The Foundation also offers special health care benefits.
The funding of the work of the Foundation is completely independent of any railroad. It neither solicits nor receives funds from the public. Further information and applications may be obtained by writing to:
Visit the John Edgar Thomson Foundation websitejethomsonfoundation.com →
See also: Financial Assistance for Deceased · Amtrak Health Benefits · Amtrak Agreements, Rule 93
