Marriage or Registration of Domestic Partnership After Retirement
If you get married or register a domestic partner with
the California
Secretary of State after you retire, you may want to
designate your new spouse/partner as your beneficiary, because as
an ACERA retiree, you have certain benefits that will be paid at
your death. However, in the Election of Retirement Allowance Form
you signed at the time of retirement, you made elections
regarding your nominated beneficiaries. Those beneficiaries you
designated to receive continued monthly payments (continuance)
after your death cannot be changed, even upon divorce,
dissolution of state-registered domestic partnership, or your
beneficiary’s death. Beneficiaries designated for death
benefits other than a continuance may be changed at any time.
To change your beneficiary, complete and return an ACERA
Retired Member Beneficiary Designation Form. Also, you will
be required to provide ACERA with a copy of your marriage
certificate and your spouse/partner’s birth verification. If
you die, it may be needed for benefit payment to your
spouse/partner.
Birth, Adoption, Guardianship
If you have a baby or adopt a child as a retired member, you may
wish to designate your child as a plan beneficiary. To do so,
complete and return an ACERA Retired Member Beneficiary
Designation Form. In addition, while not required, you may wish
to provide ACERA with a copy of your child’s birth verification.
Conservatorship
A conservatorship is a legal status, which arises when a person
(or organization) requests a judge to appoint him/ her to protect
and manage another’s care or finances. The person or organization
appointed is called the “conservator.” The person who will be
cared for or otherwise provided for is called the “conservatee.”
In many cases, elderly individuals, or individuals regardless of
age who have mental or physical incapacities are conservatees.
Some conservatees need help because they cannot provide for their
own hygiene, nutritional needs, or home care.Some need help with
their finances, bill payment, and/or investments.
Conservators may be family members, friends, or professional
organizations that specialize in assisting others. For example,
local non-profit organizations with departments that service the
elderly may serve as conservators. The Judicial Council of
California and many California courts publish brochures, which
explain the role of conservators and provide information on
initiating the conservatorship process. For more information,
contact:
- Alameda County Bar Association, 70 Washington Street, Suite
200, Oakland, CA 94607, 510-302-ACBA (2222)
- Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the
Courts, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94102,
415-865-7745
Eldercare
Eldercare is a term used to describe a host of programs and
services designed to address the needs of seniors. There are a
wide array of programs and services available. A summary of just
some of the services offered under the umbrella of “Eldercare” is
included below:
- Adult Day Care. Centers are designed to provide care and
companionship for seniors who need assistance or supervision
during the day.
- Assisted Living. Housing alternatives for older adults who
may need help with dressing, bathing, eating, and toileting, but
do not require the intensive medical and nursing care provided in
nursing homes.
- Home Health Care. Assistance for seniors, which enables them
to live independently for as long as possible, given the limits
of their medical condition. It covers a wide range of services
and can often delay the need for long-term nursing home care.
More specifically, home health care may include occupational and
physical therapy, speech therapy, and even skilled
nursing.
- Hospice Programs. Designed to help terminally ill individuals
live their remaining days with dignity. These programs can assist
the family (or other designated caregiver) in making the patient
as comfortable as possible, and assistance is available around
the clock, seven days a week.
- Government Transportation Programs. Programs sponsored by
local governments, such as Alameda County or East Bay Paratransit
Transportation Services. Contact 1-800-555-8085 for more
information.
Power of Attorney (POA)
A power of attorney (POA) is a legal document that provides
another person (often a relative or a friend) the authority to
make decisions and act on your behalf. The person you identify is
called an “agent” or “attorney-in-fact.” In the POA you are
called the “principal.”
The POA does not strip you of your own power or authority to act
on your on behalf. Instead, it just means that another person can
also act for you. For example, you may want to create a POA to
handle just your health care matters, or real estate and
financial matters as well. Alternatively, you can create a
general POA to handle all your matters. Although you can revoke,
change, or terminate the POA, you should be careful to identify
an agent you trust whenever you sign a POA. You may want to
consult an attorney before creating a POA.
