CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Families of deceased UTU members may be eligible to collect $2,000 in unclaimed death benefits, according to MetLife. The death benefit is included as a group policy under contracts between railroads and various labor unions.

"Many families are unaware of the death benefit and may not have filed to claim it," said UTU International President Byron A. Boyd Jr. "The UTU Retiree Club is working with MetLife to ensure UTU families are aware of the benefit and the possibility that they may be eligible for $2,000 in unclaimed death benefits."

To determine if you are eligible to collect the $2,000 in unclaimed death benefits, it will be necessary to provide MetLife (not UTU) with certain information.

"If you know of a UTU family with a spouse, father, grandfather or other close relative who retired from railroad service and died since 1964, that family may be eligible to collect the death benefit," said UTU Retiree Program Co-Chairperson Larry R. Davis.

An individual can initiate a claim inquiry by calling MetLife toll-free at 1-800-310-7770 or by contacting MetLife in writing. If contacting MetLife in writing, a copy of the death certificate, along with the deceased employee's Social Security number, final address and any available information regarding the employing railroad should be sent to:

MetLife
P O Box 6122
Utica NY 13504

A cover letter should be included indicating that you are seeking to determine if you are eligible to collect an unclaimed death benefit from MetLife for the deceased railroader. MetLife will then conduct an investigation and advise whether it is a valid claim, said Davis.