Important information for retired officers spouses and NOK

Have you ever bothered to think what would happen to your family after you have departed from this world? Even the educated and working ladies generally do not take any interest in the financial matters of the family. But it is important to tell your Spouse/NOK where and how to locate and how to operate the documents. Every aspect needs a written statement. For this prepare a file containing all letters which are required to be sent by the widow/NOK to various authorities. The following documents must be kept centrally with the knowledge of Spouse/NOK:-

• Will.
• Details of Bank Accounts and Bank Lockers (including key number).
• Bank/Post Office Accounts and lockers should be in joint names. Facilities of nomination should be availed. Nominees should be other than joint operators.
• Fixed Deposits should be held jointly. Date of payment of interest as well as of maturity should be noted in a diary or on a calendar for timely action.
• Cumulative Time Deposits of Bank/Post Office, PPF etc. Pass Books should be got updated regularly.
• Birth Certificate.
• Motor car/scooter papers and insurance papers for these.
• Income Tax/Wealth Tax files.
• Policy files- LIC, GIC, Health/Medical /Fire/Household Accident etc.
• Pension Papers.
• Property files- Real Estate, Flat ownership etc.
• Property Tax papers.
• Telephone file- first original Bill.
• Deposit receipt for Gas/Electricity/Water etc.
• Passport, Driving License, Identity Card, ECHS Card, Canteen Smart Card, Sainik Board Ex-Servicemen Identity Card, Club/Institute membership cards etc (photo copies of thereof to be kept separately).
• Medical file including relevant test reports and medicines taken regularly.
• Share certificates, their allotment advice for ascertaining capital gains.
• Rent papers (Receipts, Lease document and any related correspondence).
• Pending litigation papers and court decision, if any.
• Details of loans, if any, taken for House-building/purchase of car etc. and their repayment schedule.
• Details of Credit Cards/ Debit Cards with dates of validity.
• Any other matter of interest to your family/NOK.
Circumspections to be taken by the Elderly Persons:-

• It is suggested that older persons especially those staying alone should observe strict precautions.
• Get police verification done of your domestic help.
• As far as possible avoid employing Gorkhas of Nepal origin since it is difficult to verify them.
• Install Magic Eye and Door Chain on the entrance door and instruct your servant not to open the door without your permission.
• A stranger could mean danger. Do not let in a stranger even for glass of water, letter, parcel or money order, unless you recognize the deliverymen.
• Verify over telephone, the genuineness of a stranger, who drop in with a relative’s reference.
• Be in regular touch with your neighbors and relatives and keep their telephone numbers handy.
• Preferably, install a system to alert neighbors in case of emergency.
• Avoid employing unknown persons such as masons, carpenters, painters, electricians etc. Their reappearance without being called should be treated with suspicion.
• Put effective warning mechanism on your doors and windows.
• If possible keep watch dog as a pet.
• To avoid tripping, keep living space free of clutter and obstructions.
• Keep night light on.
• Keep supports to hold on to around in the house.
• Keep fit and alert.
• Always go out in a group for morning and evening walk and avoid the same route if alone.
• Keep vital Telephone numbers handy for emergency.
• Inform your nearest PCR van and neighbors if you are suspicious of some one.
• Do not be recluse and should keep socializing.
• Do not talk about family secrets/property in front of strangers or servants.
• While going out always put some light on.
• All doors and windows should be fitted with strong iron grills.
Carry Identity Card:-

• Name, Address and telephone No.
• Blood Group and allergy if any.
• If suffering from Epilepsy, heart problem or diabetes.
Financial Matters:-

• If you are ready and easily afford to write off the amount, then and only then give loan to your friend or relative. They may not be in position to refund it. It may result in strained relations.
• Do keep some reserve cash at home, but not a large amount, only sufficient to meet sudden and emergent requirements.
• Each holder of a joint account should possess own pass book.
• All accounts and all financial instruments should have only one nominee to avoid tussle between them.
• Do verify Pas Book entries against the cheques issued to ascertain whether any unauthorized withdrawals have not been made.
• Do open and maintain a PPF account for best returns, maximum safety and tax saving. PPF account should have spouse as nominee or next of kin if widow or widower.
Local information to be recorded and kept ready:-

You should have the proper record of local information the information details includes:
• Housing Society President/Secretary Tele Nos.
• CSD Managers Tele No.
• Ambulance/ Hearse Van Tele No.
• Address of shops for last rites materials.
• Tele No & Address of Authority for Registering the Deaths.
• Local Club Tele Nos.
• Local Cremation Ground Tele Nos.
Contact Information:-

Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate AG’s Branch IHQ of MOD (Army) 153A, Kashmir House, Rajaji Marg, DHQPO, New Delhi – 110 011 Director: 01123794985, Jt.Dir: 01123794377 Tele Fax: 01123794985 e-mail:randwection@sify.com

Army Welfare Education Society Building No.202, FDRC Complex APS Shankar Vihar Delhi Cantt – 110 010 Director 011-26152642 Fax 011-26151564

Directorate General Resettlement West Block IV, Wing 1, RK Puram, New Delhi – 110 066 Director Employment: 011-26192352 Fax: 011-26192350 Director Self Employment: 011-26192355, Fax: 011-26192356

Army Welfare Placement Organization (AWPO) Room No.53, West Block III RK Puram, New Delhi – 110 066 Telephone – 011-26186075, 26100241 Toll Free – 1800-11-9922

Additional Directorate General Personnel and Services ADG PS (PS-5) AG’s Branch, IHQ of MOD (Army) 419, A Wing, Sena Bhawan, DHQ PO, New Delhi – 110 011 Telephone -011-23792557

Army Officers Benevolent Fund (Accts Sec) AG’s Branch, IHQ of Mod (Army) 279A, South Block DHQ PO, New Delhi – 110 011 Tele Fax – 011-23792382
Actions To Be Taken on Retirement:-

The Pension Payment Order (PPO): Pension Payment Order is a very vital document and original PPO and subsequent corrigendum issued by the Pension Sanctioning Authority. In case the original PPO dispatched by the PCDA (P), Allahabad to the bankers is lost by them, which result in delay in initiation of the pension, the bank should issue a loss certificate and take up the case with PCDA (P), Allahabad for issue of duplicate PPO. The pensioner is advised to approach the Central Pension Processing Cell (CPCC) of the concerned bank as well as the payee branch and submit his identification for initiation of the pension. For making any correspondence regarding the pensionary grievances, the following details must be provided:-
(a) IC No. (b) PCDA (O) A/c No (in case issue pertain to pay & allowances). (c) The name, rank, length of service and PPO number and date (a copy of PPO may be enclosed if possible). (d) Name of the bank and the account Number.
Joint Account With His Spouse:

The pensioner can maintain a joint account with his spouse. The same also facilitates in release of Life Time Arrears and Family Pension as and when the contingency arises. The pensioner/family pensioner has been identified by them on his/her personal appearance with reference to the following documents:-
(a)Marriage Certificate, (b) Passport and (c) Pension Payment Order.
Common failings by pensioners:-

There are some common failings by the customers describes as follows
Not Having Joint Account With Wife: A joint account makes the transition to family pension smooth. It also helps in early start of family pension and claiming of life time arrears of the late officer. It’s important to have joint account. You also need to be well versed with basic legal aspects and make sure you carry out all due arrangement.
Not Giving Any Nomination in Bank, LIC. FD, MF etc: The pensioner has to disclose the details of the nomination in the bank, and other financial institutions. In other words, he is only a caretaker of your assets.
The nominee will only hold your money/asset as a trustee and will be legally bound to transfer it to the legal heirs. The nominee, in turn, is supposed to hold the proceeds in trust and the legal heir can claim the money. The nominee details includes
Nominee Details Includes:-

• Mention the Full Name, Address, age, relationship to yourself of the nominee.
• Do not write the nomination in favour of “wife” and “children” as a class. Give their specific names and particulars existing at that moment.
• If the nominee is a minor, appoint a person who is a major as an appointee giving his full name, age, address and relationship to the nominee.
Nomination in Life Insurance:-

A policyholder can appoint multiple nominees and can also specify their shares in the policy proceeds. Nomination in life insurance has one limitation, as insurance policies are bought to secure your financial dependents; your first choice of nominee has to be your family members. In case you want to nominate a non-family member like a friend or third party, you will have to show/PROVE the insurance company that there is some insurable interest for the person.
Nomination in Mutual funds:-

In case of mutual funds, you can nominate up to three people, who can be registered at the time of purchasing the units.
Nomination in PPF:-

You can nominate one or more persons as nominee in PPF. Form F can be used to change or cancel a nomination for PPF. Also note that you cannot nominate anyone if you open an account for a minor.
Bank Account for Pension:-

• Convert bank locker to be operated jointly, as either or survivor with the spouse and with a Nominee.
• Keep sufficient cash at home to meet emergent requirements. It is advisable to keep couple of undated but signed cheques at secure place and known to your spouse /NOK, to be cashed, in emergency only. These prove very useful when need arises.
• Obtain PAN Card for your Spouse and start filling her yearly Income Tax Return.
• It is also advisable to transfer all FDs to your Spouse’s name to generate income in her name for income tax planning purposes. It will also save your Income Tax liability and she will feel more secure.
• Make a WILL and preferably register it with the Registrar of Documents.
• Make sure that the nominations/ conversions into joint account as applicable are duly reflected in the bank records and also keep the relevant copies of such endorsements in the master folder for your spouse
LEGAL ASPECTS RELATED WITH FAMILY PENSION:-
Who in the Family has First Claim to Family Pension:

As per the existing pension rules the parents can have no claim over Family pension if the officer has left behind a widow or a child. Thus parents are primarily eligible for family pension of bachelor officers or widowers without children. Legal guardianship certificate from a court of law will be required for release of family pension to a minor child.
Legal Wife and Legal Child:

There are instances where serving/retire personnel have expressed disappointment with their wives behavior/character and have written a Will that the family pension due to them should not go to their wife and should be given to some other NOK.
Provisions for Division of Family Pension:-
Family pension can be divided in following circumstances:-

Ordinary Family Pension (OFP)
As per AI 51/80, Ordinary Family Pension is generally granted to only one eligible member of the family of the deceased Officer/ JCOs/OR. Ordinary Family Pension is not divisible between eligible members of the family and is granted only to the eldest eligible member except in case of two eligible and legally wedded widows and twins in the absence of widow. Special Family Pension (SFP) If a widow in receipt of SFP does not support her children (below 25 years of age), then her SFP will be divided as 50% to her and the balance 50% to her children.
DOCUMENTS TO BE SECURED BEFORE DEATH:-
Primary documents:

These include your birth certificate, marriage certificate, PAN card, passport, election ID card and the Aadhaar card will be needed when transferring assets to your heirs.
Insurance details:

The purpose of life insurance will be defeated if your family is in the dark. Make a list of all the policies, mentioning the name of insurers, policy numbers, insured sums and the tenures.
Pension documents:

If you have an NPS account, mention the account number and nomination details. Give the pension account number with your employer.
Bank account details:

Make a list of various bank accounts, giving the name of the bank, the account number, holding pattern and the nomination details.
Bank locker details:

Mention the name of bank, locker number, ownership pattern and whereabouts of the key. Maintain an inventory of items kept in the locker and update every time you operate it.
Other investments:

Give details of the PPF account and folio numbers of other post office investments. Make a list of mutual fund investments, mentioning folio numbers, and ownership pattern and nomination details.
Other investments:

If you have taken or given private loans to relatives or friends, mention the amount and the date by when these are payable/receivable.
Online passwords:

Though these are to be kept secret, keep a list for emergency reference. Mention the website, the online ID and the password.
ACTION ON DEATH FOLDER AND ITS CONTENTS:-

Open a folder and title it as ‘ACTION ON DEATH’. This folder will contain all relevant documents, letters and instructions to facilitate appropriate and timely action by the spouse/family members when the time comes.
Will:-

It is always advisable to execute a will. No particular form is prescribed by law. It can be handwritten or typed on thick paper with each page signed by the testator and the attesting witnesses. Registration of the will is optional. The only legal requirements are the testator should be of sound and disposing mind at the time of executing the will, the testator has signed in the presence of two attesting witnesses each of whom will also sign in the presence of the testator and an endorsement to this effect is necessarily made before the signature of the testator after which the attesting witnesses should affix their signatures along with their addresses. A suggested format is given at APPX ‘J’. However legal advice may be taken to prepare the will to suit individual circumstances. It is also necessary to ensure that the nominations and the provisions of the will are consistent with each other.
How to make a WILL:-

(a) A WILL may be hand written or typed, which is preferable for sake of clarity. (b) There is no particular form. (c) Stamp paper is not essential but paper should be durable. (d) Registration of a WILL is not mandatory but desirable to safeguard against loss and fraud. It also obviates the necessity of witnesses to appear in the court at the time of probate of the WILL. (e) For Registration of the WILL the testator and both the attesting witnesses have to appear, sign and attest the WILL in the presence of the Registrar. Each Individual should carry two copies of recent Photographs
Clauses in a WILL:-

Name and address:
Here state your name, father’s name and address Including your District.
Reasons and Intentions:

Here state necessity or urgency if any for making the WILL.
Sanity and own volition:

State that you are making the WILL voluntarily without any pressure and that you are in full control of your mental faculties.
Enumeration of Heirs and Properties:

Give names and father’s name of your spouse(s), children, dependent father, mother and unmarried daughter(s).
Bequest:

Use clear and unambiguous language in allotting legacies to each Heir. Intention conveyed by the WILL should be clearly defined. Uncertainty of intention renders the WILL Null and Void.
Appointment of Executor(s):

Be careful in nominating the Executors. Firstly an executor should be extremely dependable, honest of good health and younger in age and secondly he should be willing to take over the responsibility.


ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DEATH:-
Immediate Action to be taken by Family/Friends:
• If the deceased had registered with an Organ Retrieval Banking Organization (ORBO) for donation of organs, they should be informed immediately to do the needful.
• Inform relatives and friends.
• Decide the time, date and place where funeral is to be done and inform all concerned including the local unit responsible for providing assistance in organizing funeral services, for necessary action.
• Obtain Death Certificate from the Hospital/Attending Doctor or a Registered Medical Practitioner.
• Arrange a vehicle/Hearse for carrying the body.
• Arrange material required for cremation.

Intimation of Death:

Death of an officer is to be intimated/ informed at the earliest to large number of authorities as per the suggested list given below:-

• In the case of death due to an accident, lodge an FIR at the nearest police station at the earliest. This will be required for claims on Insurance Companies as well as for processing payment of compensation by the concerned authorities.
• AG?s Branch/MP 5(b), AG?s Branch/PS-4, AG/s Branch/CW 8 (AOBF) and Army Gp Insurance (for extended life cover).
• PCDA (P) through AG/MP-5 (b).
• Manager of the Bank (Pension Disbursing Authority).
• Directorate of Regt/Corp concerned.
• Regional HQ of ECHS.
• Various clubs for either transfer of membership to the widow or for refund of security deposits.

PROCEDURE FOR CLAIM OF BENEFITS:-

Ordinary Family Pension:

The widow should open a Saving Bank Account in her single name, preferably with the same Bank branch from where her late husband was drawing his pension. The details of this Account number are to be sent to CDA (P) in the letter as per the specimen above refers. Parents and brothers /sisters are not authorized ordinary family pension in case of officers who die as bachelors.
Grant of Family Pension for life to Handicapped Children:

A son or daughter of an officer, suffering from any disorder or disability of mind or physically crippled or disabled, which renders him/her unable to earn a living even after attaining the age of 25 years, is eligible for the grant of family pension to the handicapped child.
Dependents Pension:

In case of officers who die as bachelors on account of causes attributable to service. The rate is 50% of the notional amount of special family pension that would have been sanctioned to the widow had the officer been married. Dependent parents and in their absence, dependent brothers/ sisters are eligible for this pension.
Canteen / Ration Facilities:
Widows of officers are entitled to avail of indigenous canteen stores less specially allocated/ short supply items. For this purpose, the entitled individuals are attached to the nearest station/ unit run canteen as convenient to Station HQ. Similar action is to be taken for drawal of rations, up to permissible scale, on payment, from the nearest sub unit. Ration and Canteen Cards are prepared by the local unit/ Station HQ on the authority of PPO and Identity Card.
Legal Assistance:

This is being provided to the wives of serving personnel and widows in consultation with legal department of Army HQ. Similar facilities are also available at Command level.
Rehabilitation/ Caring Facilities for Veterans:

The following rehabilitation/ caring facilities are being run for veterans. Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre (PRCs) at Kirkee and Mohali with a capacity of 109 and 45 beds respectively are being run for rehabilitation of Paraplegic and Tetraplegic ex-servicemen.
The addresses of these institutes are as under:

Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Park Road, Kirkee, Pune (Maharashtra) - 411020. Tele - 020- 26023191, 020-5803191, Fax - 020-5820505. E-mail - pararehab_c@sify.com

Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, SAS Nagar (Mohali) Phase VI, Dist. - Mohali (Punjab)-160055 Tele: 0172-2225352