South Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers

PAM CHAPMAN, DEATH BENEFITS DIRECTOR
1118 Ramona Drive
Belton SC 29627
Work: 864-226-1596
Cell: 864-221-0792
E-mail: janbaby02@gmail.com

March 12, 2010

December 27, 2009

    As everyone know or should know, the health care debate is raging and very heated.  As

Letter Carriers with health insurance, you may feel that this debate has nothing to do with us.

But remember, that could change.  Thats why we need to stay involved.  One of the best ways

to do that is by signing up for COLCPE.  The instructions are listed in the Postal Record each

month.  So, I call on all who are not signed up already, to:

1.  Sign to be an e-activist, this allows you to get instant messages from the National Union on

the issues at hand and what actions to take if any.

2.  Contribute at least one dollar a week to COLCPE.

In closing, I would like to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy

New Year.

In Solidarity

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Why do I need a Will?

October 6, 2010

    It seems as though one can never be prepared for death.  In recent years we watched the controversy over

the estates of Anna Nicole Smith, James Brown, and Micheal Jackson.  In light of the fact that these individuals

were celebrities, their deaths demonstrated how complexed it can be dividing assets amongst surviving

family members.  Yes, it is important to have a will and update it from time to time.  

    A will is a device that lets you tell the world whom you want to get your assets. Die without one, and the state

decides who gets what,without regard to your wishes or your heirs' needs.  So-called intestacy laws vary considerably

from state to state. In general, though, if you die and leave a spouse and kids, your assets will be split between your

surviving mate and children. If you're single with no children, then the state is likely to decide who among your blood

relatives will inherit your estate.

    Making a will is especially important for people with young children, because wills are the best way to transfer guardianship

of minors.  You may amend your will at any time. In fact, it's a good idea to review it periodically and especially when your

marital status changes.  At the same time, review your beneficiary designations for your 401(k), IRA, pension and life

insurance policy since those accounts will be transferred automatically to your named beneficiaries when you die. 

    A will is also useful if you have a trust. A trust is a legal mechanism that lets you put conditions on how your assets are

distributed after you die and it often lets you minimize gift and estate taxes. But you still need a will since most trusts deal

only with specific assets such as life insurance or a piece of property, but not the sum total of your holdings.  Even if you have

what's known as a revocable living trust in which you can put the bulk of your assets, you still need what's known as a pour-over

will.  In addition to letting you name a guardian for your children, a pour-over will ensure that all the assets you intended to put

into the trust are put there even if you fail to retitle some of them before your death.  Any assets that are not retitled in the name

of the trust are considered subject to probate. As a result, if you haven't specified in a will who should get those assets, a court

may decide to distribute them to heirs whom you may not have chosen.

   You can write your own will.  However, preparation of the will should be preferably prepared by an attorney.  There it can be

typed, notarized legally, signed by your lawyer, and have at least two witnesses present to ensure this is undisputably your will. 

Copies of your will should be printed and kept in a safe place.  At least one copy should be filed at the lawyer's office.  The cost

for preparing a simple will can start under $100.00 and go up, depending on the complexity of the will, the number of assets, total

estimated value of the estate, any business contacts, and many other considerations including any family members.

   I wish everyone the best of health and have a Happy Columbus Day Holiday! 

Pam Chapman, Death Benefits Director

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July 24, 2009,

       Dear Union Brothers and Sisters,

              I hope everyone is in good health and spirits.  In the years that I have been doing this job as Death Benefits Director,

lord knows it doesn't get any easier.  However, I must admit that I take comfort in knowing that the loved ones of our fellow deceased

carriers are provided financial aid during the immediate days after god's calling.  This aid comes from the members of the South

Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers (SCSALC) that contribute to the death benefits fund. 

             The Death Benefits Fund is a plan.  Our plan is supported by each and every union member that participate in the plan.

We presently have 295 union members in the plan.  Our payout is contingent on the number of members in the plan.  Our average

pay-out to the beneficiaries of deceased letter carriers is $710.00.  We have well over 1,400 city letters in the SCSALC.  But only 295

members are in the plan.  The present pay-out is $737.50.  Each member is sent an assessment of $2.50 after a pay-out.  By this

time next year I am confident we have over 350 members in our Death Benefits Fund (plan).  We will have enough funds in our

Death Benefits account to pay beneficiaries enough financial aid to take a week off from work without pay or whatever they will

while they mourn and prepare their final burial plans for their loved ones and our union brother or sister.

             There is an old proverb that states, "the afterthought is good, but the forethought is better".  If you are not already a member

of the Death Benefits Fund, join today.  Let your thoughts materialize on an application.

              Mail the completed application with the one time enrollment fee of five dollars ($5.00) payable

 to the SCSALC Death Benefits Association to the Death Benefits Director.  When a member of the Death Benefits Association dies,

the beneficiary is issued a check equal to two dollars ($2) per member of the plan. This provides immediate funds when other income

and assets may not be available.

Unity Always,

Pam Chapman, Death Benefits Director

SCSALC

 

Death Benefits Director’s Report

It has been an honor to serve you and the State Association as Death Benefits Director. We have good enrollment, but it could be better.

I would like to encourage each and everyone to consider joining. Your spouse can be a member also. The benefit grows with any

increase in membership.

You say how do I join?

Print and complete the application below. Mail the completed application with the one time enrollment fee of five dollars ($5.00) payable

 to the SCSALC Death Benefits Association to the Death Benefits Director.  When a member of the Death Benefits Association dies,

the beneficiary is issued a check equal to two dollars ($2) per member of the plan. This provides immediate funds when other income

and assets may not be available.

The Director then sends an assessment notice of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) to each plan member to replenish the fund. 

Again, thank you for allowing me to serve you and PLEASE JOIN.