Add Value Choice Legal Illinois Life Documents Newly Widowed Forms For Free

Protect your loved ones Having your chosen beneficiaries receive any settlements or payouts that you've designated in your will protects them financially, of course. But having your affairs in order can also save your family and loved ones a great deal of stress, time, and hassle down the road.

Common documents include a will, durable power of attorney for finances, and a living trust. Share this infographic to spread the word about getting your affairs in order.

That's a doctor euphemism that means ``you're going to die soon''. Steve told us that's exactly what he understood it to mean, too.

See an attorney and have your will or a trust prepared. Become familiar with and complete advance directives, such as a durable power of attorney (which gives someone you trust the ability to manage your affairs should you become unable to do so), living will, health care proxy and do-not-resuscitate orders.

The phrase “affairs in order” generally refers to organizing one's personal and financial matters, such as creating a will, identifying an executor or trustee, and arranging for end-of-life care, including management of healthcare and personal financial and business matters, if necessary, due to incapacity.

An Illinois durable power of attorney is a legal form that allows individuals to appoint a financial representative to act on their behalf. Unlike other power of attorney forms, a durable POA doesn't expire if the principal suffers a condition or injury resulting in their incapacitation.

If you retire under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), the maximum survivor benefit payable is 55 percent of your unreduced annual benefit. If you retire under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), the maximum survivor benefit payable is 50 percent of your unreduced annual benefit.

If you are an active member and you remarry, your new spouse may be eligible for a surviving spouse pension. Your new spouse will be eligible if: You are vested for an IMRF pension. You have been married to your new spouse for at least one year prior to your death.

Taxation of the Survivor, Widow, Occupational Death Annuity Payments. All SERS benefits are exempt from state income tax under Illinois law. The occupational death benefit annuity is not subject to federal tax, but the survivor and widow annuities are.