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Death Benefits

Section 18 of the Adoption Agreement covers the two types of death benefits that are available under the plan. The first type is an in-service death benefit. This benefit is payable in the event an eligible participant dies while actively employed by the employer. The selection in Section 18(A) will determine how your plan’s in-service death benefit is calculated. The second type is a terminated vested death benefit. This benefit is payable upon the death of an eligible participant who has terminated employment, is vested, but has not yet started to receive a retirement benefit. The selection in Section 18(B) will determine how your plan’s terminated vested death benefit is calculated. As of October 1, 2016, all GMEBS employers are required to provide a terminated vested death benefit to participants who terminate employment on or after October 1, 2016. If a vested participant dies while in-service but is not eligible for in-service death benefits and the Plan also has the Auto A terminated vested death benefit, the Auto A terminated vested death benefit will be payable on the participant’s behalf.

More information about how each type of death benefit is calculated can be found in Article VIII of the Master Plan.

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