The automatic process for mailing a follow-up mailing to nonresponders occurs as follows:
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1.
Send an initial form to all eligible young surviving spouses. The young surviving
spouse has 90 days to complete and return the form.
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2.
Send the young surviving spouse a follow-up notice marked “final request” if we do
not receive a response to the initial mailing.
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3.
Allow the young surviving spouse an additional 90 day period to return the completed
form.
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4.
Send a S9 RECONT Suspension Notice if the young surviving spouse does not return the
completed form after the second 90 days have elapsed (180 days total).
NOTE: The BENEFIT line on the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) will display a reason for
suspension or termination (RFST) of RECONT.
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5.
Place the young surviving spouse in suspense ledger account file (LAF) S9 RECONT.
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6.
Send a termination notice and terminate benefits (LAF T3 REMARR) if the young surviving
spouse does not return the form or contact us within 60 days of the suspension notice
(we are now at 240 days from the initial request).
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7.
Terminate benefits LAF T3 RECONM.
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8.
Adjust the benefit rates to the remaining auxiliaries receiving benefits on the record
if applicable.
For more information about the automated systems features, see MSOM COMMON 005.028.
The RFST code appears on the BENEFIT line on the MBR. For information on the BENEFIT
data line, see SM 00510.175C.11. If we suspended or terminated benefits due to failure
to return the Beneficiary Recontact Report Form, the RFST field will display RECONT
(suspension) or RECONM (termination).
NOTE: Residents of Puerto Rico receive the form in both English and Spanish.