Age-based income, itemized retirement budget, savings capacity, insurance and family survivor security
Your financial trajectory
Retirement planning by age
Drag the slider to see your monthly and annual household income at each age, including the age-60 military pension, age-62 Social Security and Jennifer's later spousal eligibility.
2026 purchasing-power estimates
60
YOUR AGE 2028 · Jennifer ~50
Army pension begins Full-year snapshot from birthday onward
Illustrative spendable income compared with monthly projected expenses
2026 dollars · no COLAs projected
Spendable proxyProjected expensesSelected age
This is not an actuarial or tax-return forecast. A future pension or Social Security COLA may raise nominal checks, but cost inflation also raises household expenses.
Monthly income sources
Shown separately so we don't count the same benefit twice
Gross income and net rental cash flow are mixed. See assumptions for the spendable-income approximation.
Your spending-gap assumptions
Used unless you enable the itemized budget below
Rough assumption, not tax computation
Editable projected insurance cost
The $9,500 target is a placeholder, not verified household spending. Health premiums are deducted from projected income, so do not also include them in expenses.
Your spending plan
Retirement income vs. monthly expenses
Use the retirement-age slider, build a realistic budget, and see the cash remaining for savings or additional debt repayment. Amounts use approximate 2026 purchasing power.
Editable estimates · not bank-connected
Your age: 60 · 2028Changes the entire dashboard
58 · work60 · retire62 · your SSA72 · Jennifer 6290
Spendable income / month
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After estimated taxes and FEHB
Projected monthly spending
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Excludes separately deducted health premium
Monthly surplus / shortfall
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Capacity before reserve
Potential savings / year
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Positive surplus × 12; zero if shortfall
Set your savings transfer
Keep a monthly discretionary cash cushion; transfer only what's left of a positive surplus.
Default $250. This is optional and editable.
Default 100% of surplus after buffer.
Suggested automated monthly transfer
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Not guaranteed: depends on actual cash flow
Additional discretionary headroom
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After the planned transfer
Annual income estimates may change.
What if you retire with no consumer debt?
Compare the currently modeled payments against a hypothetical debt-free scenario; payments only disappear if loans really are paid off.
If payments continue
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Monthly surplus
If tracked debts paid off
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Monthly surplus; payoff not assumed unless selected
Known monthly loan payments: OneMain $973.73, Upgrade $462.04 combined, and CarMax $374.12 ($1,809.89 total). The extra $200 credit-card/Affirm payment is an unverified placeholder. 401(k) loan payments of roughly $307.65/month are not included here; resolve their status before separating from Akima.
Itemized retirement spending
Bank-derived estimates from three USAA checking periods and six Citi billing cycles. Edit each line and turn on the itemized model (enabled by default). Amounts are not a substitute for a fully reconciled annual budget.
Itemized total at selected age (excluding FEHB)—
Source: Star_Household_Spending_Review_2026.xlsx, based on USAA 06/10–07/09, 07/10–08/07, 09/10–10/09 and Citi statements across June–October 2026. The August USAA cycle is missing. Home mortgage uses October AmeriHome $2,137.51; the Freedom rental mortgage is not included because rental income is modeled as $600 net cash flow. Observed electricity may cover multiple properties or arrears. Cash withdrawals ~$1,113/cycle are NOT fully allocated. FEHB is already deducted from spendable income; don't count again. Additional VA VALife premiums, taxes and rent repairs require verification.
Bank-statement reconciliation
Tracked monthly bills and purchase patterns
$2,137.51 AmeriHome mortgage • $730.84 Dominion Energy (variable) • $102.66 Stafford utilities • $196.33 Comcast mobile • $134 Verizon • $289.36 State Farm • $34.10 MBA insurance. These are reflected in editable fields above. Double-check electricity across both properties.
Monthly recurring memberships explicitly observed total about $533.12. Other statement cycles contain additional digital charges that may not recur; compare the memberships below before cancelling anything. Tax payments and ATM withdrawals remain unresolved.
Expand 15 identified recurring charges and their monthly amounts
Service
Monthly
Verify
Mortgage is only for your current residence. Estimated net rent already reflects the other property's mortgage, so it must not be counted twice.
Projected household cash flow across retirement
Annualized snapshots at each selected age, not cumulative deposits. Social Security and survivor estimates need official verification.
Your age
Year
Spendable / mo
Expenses / mo
Surplus / mo
Possible savings / yr
Positive surplus = money potentially available for savings, extra principal payments or additional spending. Negative surplus = gap requiring a lower budget, more income, or withdrawals. No investment growth or benefit COLAs are assumed.
FBI 9/11 responder survivor instructions
For a suspected 9/11-related death, contact FBI Human Resources first and request survivor/casualty assistance. View the full covered-condition decision checklist and VCF procedures.
Family protection
If you died at age 60
What could Jennifer and the children receive? Recurring annuities, Social Security, possible DIC, and one-time insurance are shown separately. Open the Survivor Claims & Calls guide →
Eligibility must be verified
Insurance death benefits
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One-time, if policies remain in force
Potential monthly survivor income
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Conditional estimates below
Annual survivor income
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Not counting insurance as income
Survivor spending gap
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Approx. after-tax income gap; insurance costs assumed
One-time life insurance and retirement assets
Coverage depends on policy status, beneficiary designation and death date
The Empower 401(k) balance is a retirement asset payable under plan and beneficiary rules—not an insurance policy. It is shown separately to prevent double-counting. Existing plan loans could reduce distributable value or create tax consequences.
401(k) balance snapshot
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Oct. 16 account snapshot; not a death-benefit guarantee
Recorded beneficiary
Jennifer
100% primary shown in October 2026 plan confirmation; reconfirm with Empower
Recurring survivor benefits
Illustrative 2026 monthly dollars; these are not additive to your own stopped benefits
Qualification controls
For Social Security, the calculator uses Jennifer's own SSDI or a possible survivor benefit, whichever is larger—not both full amounts. Her age, eligibility and claiming decision affect the real award.
Other survivor and family benefits to verify
These may be extremely valuable even when there is no immediately payable cash amount
Military RCSBP · Option C, immediate annuityReported full retired-pay base, spouse-and-child election. Confirm DFAS coverage, election and the dependent-child record. A 55% estimate is not an official award.
VA Dependency and Indemnity CompensationPotential monthly tax-free benefit if the cause-of-death or total-disability-duration criteria are met. 2026 basic surviving-spouse rate $1,699.36, with possible qualified additions.
Social Security survivor benefitsJennifer could qualify for widow's benefits at age 60, or as early as 50 if SSA disability conditions apply; eligible children may also qualify. Actual age, earnings record, claiming age, and family maximum matter.
OPM survivor annuity & FEHBJennifer's OPM survivor amount previously reported as approximately $2,182/month gross. FEHB continuation generally depends on the survivor-annuity election and other eligibility rules.
CHAMPVA / TRICARE survivor eligibilityCheck eligibility, existing coverage and how surviving-spouse coverage coordinates with FEHB and military status. Not estimated as cash income.
Chapter 35 / VMSDEP educationDependent and survivor education benefits may help Gabrielle and Daniel. Eligibility depends on program and circumstances; not counted as income.
Military funeral honors & burialRequest Virginia Army National Guard honors. Burial preference: Arlington National Cemetery if eligible; otherwise National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. Burial allowance rules vary.
Akima employment-only benefitsBasic and supplemental group life are only counted before your planned retirement unless continued or converted. Any additional death benefits require HR/plan verification.
Possible 9/11-related death? FBI is your first notification.
Special 9/11 workflow for all recognized cancers and illnesses, VCF wrongful-death filing, FBI service-connected/line-of-duty assessment, and PSOB.
Practical telephone call cards, forms and official application links for Jennifer, Gabrielle or an appointed family helper. Agency benefit entitlement is separate from notifying an agency of a death.
Private reference · Verify when needed
Use this checklist in order
Call first, file benefits applications next, and keep a reference number for every claim.
First 24–72 hoursChoose a funeral director; request several certified death certificates; locate DD-214 and NGB-22, 20-year letter, Army RCSBP election, OPM CSA/FERS records, marriage/birth certificates, VA letters, insurance certificates and beneficiary designations. Notify OPM, SSA, VA, military service channels and insurers.
Age-sensitive instructionsBefore February 6, 2028: call Army HRC first for gray-area RCSBP. From Army retired pay start: report to DFAS. From February 2030 onward if claiming SSA: tell SSA that own retirement checks had begun. Retiring from Akima generally ends employer life coverage unless separately continued/converted.
No account numbers or Social Security numbers are embedded in this file. Have identification available for verified official portals or telephone representatives only. Do not give passwords to anyone or put SSNs into unverified web forms. These phone scripts are designed to be read verbatim, with details supplied at the time of the call.
0 of 13Agencies / providers notified
0 of 13Benefit claims / requests filed
0 of 13Fully completed cases
Progress and notes are saved only in this browser; use a backup before switching devices or clearing browser data.
Immediately after death
1. OPM / FBI-FERS survivor benefits
Office of Personnel Management · Retirement Services
Report death immediately. Ask OPM to send the FERS survivor claim packet, including SF 3104, and request continuation of FEHB if eligible. OPM benefits may require return of post-death annuity payments.
Forms: SF 3104 · FERS Application for Death Benefits
Important: OPM survivor annuity previously reported around $2,182/month gross; verify award and election.
My name is Jennifer Star. I am the surviving spouse of David Star, a retired federal law-enforcement employee receiving a FERS annuity. He died on [date]. Please record his death, issue the FERS survivor-benefit application packet and claim number, and confirm whether the existing survivor election and FEHB coverage allow a survivor annuity and continued health coverage. Please tell me exactly which forms and certified records you need, where to send them, and whether there are any payments we must return.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
If death before military retired pay begins
2. Army HRC / Reserve RCSBP (especially BEFORE age 60)
If death occurs before February 6, 2028, ask HRC for the gray-area Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan claims process. Option C reportedly elected; verify whether immediate annuity applies, base amount, beneficiaries, and forwarding to DFAS.
Forms: RCSBP election (DD 2656-5) / marriage and death records; HRC will confirm exact forms
Important: Option C spouse-and-children election reported; Daniel and current beneficiary records need confirmation.
I am Jennifer Star, spouse of retired Army National Guard First Sergeant David Star. He elected RCSBP Option C for spouse and children at the full base amount. He died on [date], [before/after] his planned age-60 pay start of February 6, 2028. Please confirm the election in the official Army record, whether the survivor annuity starts immediately, and the beneficiary status of Jennifer, Gabrielle, and Daniel. Please open or route the death claim and provide all required documents and the case number.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
Once receiving Army retired pay (age 60 onward)
3. DFAS / Army retired pay and SBP
Defense Finance and Accounting Service · Retired and Annuitant Pay
If drawing Army retired pay, stop the retiree payment and claim SBP annuity and any arrears of pay. Use askDFAS notification then the survivor forms DFAS supplies. For pre-60 RCSBP, contact HRC first.
Forms: Usually DD 2656-7 for annuity application; verify requirements with DFAS
Important: Estimated military pension $2,800/month gross; SBP $1,540/month is provisional.
I am reporting the death of retired Army First Sergeant David Star. His death date is [date]. I am his spouse and an RCSBP/SBP beneficiary. Please stop his retired pay, explain recovery of any overpayments, open the survivor annuity claim, identify any unpaid retired pay, and tell me how to submit the death certificate, marriage certificate, direct-deposit information and DD 2656-7 or other required forms. Please confirm the case number and expected next steps.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
As soon as death is registered; notify even if funeral home contacts SSA
4. Social Security / survivor and children benefits
Report death, review Jennifer’s own SSDI versus widow benefits, children’s eligibility and the possible $255 lump-sum death payment. Survivor applications generally cannot be filed online; SSA can schedule a claim.
Forms: Phone claim / SSA-arranged interview; ask about each dependent child
Important: Jennifer’s SSDI is separate from potential SSA survivor entitlement; not both full amounts.
I am Jennifer Star, surviving spouse of David Star, who died on [date]. I currently receive Social Security disability benefits. Please report his death and review any widow, child or lump-sum death benefits available based on his earnings record. We have children Gabrielle and Daniel; please evaluate each under the age, school, and disability rules. I want a benefits comparison before making an election, and a claim appointment and written checklist of evidence needed.
Report death and submit VA Form 21P-534EZ for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, Survivors Pension or accrued benefits as appropriate. Service-connected cause and other statutory eligibility criteria must be proven; 100% P&T alone does not automatically award DIC.
Forms: VA 21P-534EZ
Important: Do NOT treat DIC as awarded. Death must satisfy VA eligibility rules; verify effective dates.
I am Jennifer Star, surviving spouse of Army veteran David Star, who had a VA 100 percent permanent and total disability rating. He died on [date]. Please stop his VA compensation as required and help me submit VA Form 21P-534EZ for DIC and any accrued benefits. Please explain which service-connected medical records, death certificate and marriage documentation are needed, what effective date applies and whether we should request help from an accredited veterans service officer. Please record the claim number.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
As soon as certified death certificate is available
Use Claim for One Sum Payment (VA Form 29-4125). Verify in-force status, named beneficiary and the two-year full-coverage waiting period. VA has online submission/secure upload routes.
Forms: VA 29-4125
Important: Reported in-force policy, but coverage date, waiting period and beneficiary must be verified.
I am calling as the beneficiary or surviving spouse of David Star. He had a VA VALife policy reported at $40,000 and died on [date]. Please verify the policy was in force, the exact death benefit payable under any waiting-period provisions, the listed beneficiaries, and how to submit VA Form 29-4125 and the certified death certificate. Please give me the claim number and expected timeline.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
After death certificate; contact as early as possible
7. MBA Term 90 Plus · $100,000
Military Benefit Association · Existing member support
Contact MBA to identify the actual issuing carrier, current certificate, designated beneficiary, in-force status and death-claim packet. Term 90 Plus coverage is not a guaranteed payment without an active policy.
Forms: Carrier/MBA beneficiary death-claim form; request current policy certificate
Important: Reported $100,000 policy; confirmation of active coverage, carrier and beneficiary pending.
I am Jennifer Star, the reported primary beneficiary of David Star’s Military Benefit Association Term 90 Plus life insurance policy for $100,000. He died on [date]. Please verify the active certificate and the underwriter, record the death claim, and tell me the exact claim form, destination, documents and processing timeline. Can you also verify whether any additional MBA policies or riders are in force? Please provide a reference number.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
Only if covered at death; employment policy likely ends on retirement unless continued
8. Akima / Compass Point Federal employer life
Akima HR / benefits administrator; Prudential group insurance
If employed on date of death (or properly continued/conversion), ask HR to open claims for Prudential group basic $182,000 and supplemental $200,000, plus final wages, leave, retirement plan beneficiaries and any accidental-death riders.
I am Jennifer Star, the surviving spouse of Compass Point Federal/Akima employee David Star. He died on [date]. Please notify HR and the group-life insurance administrator, identify the Prudential basic and supplemental life coverages, verify their in-force status, and send beneficiary claim forms. We have records showing $182,000 basic and $200,000 supplemental coverage during employment. Please also identify final pay, unused leave, retirement account death-benefit procedures and any portability or conversion coverage if he had retired. Please give me the case manager’s contact information.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
After death, through plan administrator
9. Empower / Akima 401(k) survivor assets
Empower Retirement via Akima HR / authorized plan administrator
Notify plan administrator and request beneficiary distribution options, any outstanding plan-loan consequences, spousal rollover rules and tax documentation. Do not use the deceased participant’s login credentials.
Forms: Plan beneficiary claim packet; designation, death certificate and proof of identity
Important: Current 401(k) balance and loan liability fluctuate; insurance and 401(k) assets are different benefit types.
I am Jennifer Star, the surviving spouse of the deceased Compass Point Federal/Akima 401(k) participant David Star. Please open the beneficiary claim, confirm the named beneficiaries and vested balance, identify any outstanding plan loans, and send the authorized beneficiary distribution and rollover paperwork. Explain whether anything must be completed before a rollover and what the tax implications may be. Please provide a case number.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
After death and whenever confirming family health coverage
Ask whether Jennifer and eligible children can continue or enroll in CHAMPVA after death. Check TRICARE exclusion, enrollment status, other insurance coordination and Form 10-10d.
Forms: VA 10-10d
Important: May already qualify from 100% P&T; not eligible if entitled to TRICARE.
I am Jennifer Star, surviving spouse of a veteran who was rated 100 percent permanent and total for service-connected disabilities. I would like to confirm CHAMPVA eligibility and continuing coverage for me and eligible dependents following his death. We also have Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage. Please tell me whether we must file VA Form 10-10d, what coverage and coordination rules apply, and which eligibility documents are required.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
When dependent plans enrollment; eligibility may exist before death
I am calling about Chapter 35 education benefits for the spouse and children of David Star, a veteran with a permanent and total service-connected disability rating who died on [date]. Please confirm which family members qualify, age and school-enrollment restrictions, effective dates and the correct VA Form 22-5490 filing process. Please explain how the school certifies enrollment and whether an education benefit is already established.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
Immediately when funeral arrangements begin
12. Virginia Army National Guard funeral honors
Virginia ARNG Military Funeral Honors · Fredericksburg region
Request Virginia Army National Guard honor guard through funeral director and confirm branch, date, location, service and DD-214/NGB proof. The military honors request and cemetery booking are separate.
Forms: Virginia Honor Guard Burial Request Form (linked on Guard website)
Important: User specifically requests Virginia ARNG honors; contact regional coordinator first.
I am calling to request Virginia Army National Guard military funeral honors for First Sergeant David Star, a retired Virginia Army National Guard soldier and combat veteran. The funeral is anticipated for [date] at [location]. He specifically asked that the Virginia Army National Guard provide military honors. Please confirm eligibility, unit availability, DD-214 or NGB paperwork required, the burial request form, and coordination with our funeral director.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
During funeral arrangements, before confirming location
Preference: in-ground Arlington National Cemetery if officially eligible, otherwise National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. Arlington has stricter in-ground eligibility; being a Reserve retiree entitled to retired pay does NOT alone guarantee in-ground eligibility. Use funeral director and official eligibility determination.
Forms: Military service separation/retirement and death documents; funeral home coordinates
Important: Arlington in-ground eligibility cannot be presumed or pre-approved.
I am Jennifer Star or the family representative of retired Army First Sergeant David Star. His stated first preference is in-ground burial at Arlington National Cemetery if he qualifies under the official interment criteria. If not eligible or unavailable, he prefers the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. Please tell us which documents are needed for an eligibility determination and scheduling. We also request Virginia Army National Guard funeral honors and would like your help coordinating with the funeral director.
Track this contact and applicationNot started
Additional survivor checks
Review tax withholding and estate matters with a qualified professional; notify banks, mortgage servicers, state and federal tax agencies, investment custodians and benefit administrators using their official channels. If Jennifer or a child receives an independent benefit in their own name, do not automatically report it as the deceased's benefit. Save all applications and agency letters.
No FEGLI claim card is included because you reported not retaining FEGLI after FBI retirement. Akima group coverage ends at separation unless continuing coverage was secured. Confirm the full life insurance certificate for MBA Term 90 Plus, and do not assume VALife’s $40,000 full death benefit applies during its initial waiting period.
Special family survivor protocol · FBI Ground Zero responder
9/11-related death: FBI first call, VCF and other survivor claims
Use this for ANY suspected WTC-related cancer, qualifying physical condition or medically associated complication. A condition does NOT need to appear on today's personal certification list for the family to begin inquiries.
Private family plan • not a legal entitlement decision
FIRST NOTIFICATION: FBI 9/11 Responders Help
202-324-9595 · FBI911RespondersHelp@fbi.gov. Request an FBI casualty assistance officer or survivor liaison, review for line-of-duty/service-connected death and confirmation of any funeral coordination. Do not assume that duties or financial coverage have been approved until the FBI confirms them.
Verified against the two original letters supplied by the family. This is historical evidence, not a determination about any future illness or cause of death.
2 original letters reviewed
WTC Health Program certified
Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Certification effective: January 15, 2021
Certification letter: February 3, 2021
Official category: Upper Respiratory Disease
Letter:Star WTC Certification.pdf (page 1)
Certification is for authorized WTC Health Program treatment. It does not certify every later diagnosis as WTC-related.
VCF injury eligibility approved
CHRONIC SINUSITIS UNSPECIFIED
Eligibility decision: October 8, 2021
Determination: Statutory and regulatory eligibility criteria satisfied for the listed injury
This 2021 decision is an eligibility letter, not proof of a final compensation award. It expressly explains how additional WTC-certified conditions may be considered.
Important instruction for Jennifer or Gabrielle: If any different cancer, disease or complication caused or contributed to death, do not treat these two historical sinusitis determinations as a limit on the family's options. Notify the FBI first when a 9/11 connection is suspected, contact attorney Traci Welsh, obtain medical causation records, and inquire about new certification, VCF deceased-victim claim requirements, and FBI/DOJ death-benefit review. None of those outcomes is automatic.
Privacy: Claim and member numbers are not prefilled or embedded in this HTML. If you enter them, they are stored locally in this browser and included in downloaded checklist backups. Keep backups private. The original PDFs contain personal identifiers and are intentionally not bundled into the website file. The folder or secure document vault with these letters should be accessible to an authorized survivor.
For corrections to conditions not shown in the WTC record, contact the WTC Health Program at 888-982-4748 or the Nationwide Provider Network number printed on the letter at 877-498-2911. For the existing VCF record, contact the helpline at 855-885-1555 with the claim reference from the eligibility letter.
Death-cause screening — answer this first
For Jennifer, Gabrielle or an authorized representative. Choose YES or UNSURE if any recognized cancer or illness may have caused or contributed to the death, even if it was diagnosed shortly before death or had not yet been added to the existing VCF claim.
Select a response to see the immediate family instructions.
Family directive: You requested the FBI as the first call for suspected 9/11-related death, and expect FBI casualty assistance and coordination of arrangements. The FBI has recognized WTC illness deaths on its Wall of Honor, but an individual line-of-duty determination, memorial inclusion and funeral funding/coordination are not automatic. Contact the FBI even when the medical connection is only suspected.
Recognized WTC health conditions — complete selection checklist
Official regulatory conditions, organized by cancer and disease category. Check any diagnosed or suspected cause or contributor; this is a screening checklist, not medical certification.
57 listed entries
Cancers — official regulatory categories 25Airway, lung, sinus and digestive conditions 12Mental-health conditions — WTC treatment covered; not standalone VCF physical-injury compensation 10Responder musculoskeletal conditions — subject to special eligibility rules 3WTC-related acute traumatic injuries — subject to special eligibility rules 7
Source: 42 CFR §88.15 and CDC WTC Health Program. Cancer diagnosis requires medical eligibility review, including latency and certification criteria; some airway conditions have time-interval rules. WTC Health Program treatment may include mental-health conditions, but the VCF generally does NOT compensate psychological conditions alone. Some disorders are covered as medically associated conditions. Official CDC conditions ↗ · Federal regulation ↗ · VCF eligibility ↗.
9/11 notification and claims call tree
Each step has independent notification and claim/paperwork checkboxes plus dated records. Make the FBI contact first if the connection to 9/11 is known or suspected.
FBI comes first
0 of 10Contacted
0 of 10Filed / next step completed
0 of 10Both finished
Stored only in this browser unless exported. No real-time agency integration.
My husband was a retired FBI employee who responded at Ground Zero. His WTC Health Program certified chronic rhinosinusitis on January 15, 2021, and his VCF eligibility decision is dated October 8, 2021. He has died, and his death may be associated with a World Trade Center-related illness or cancer. Please notify the FBI 9/11 responder program, assign a casualty assistance officer or survivor liaison, and explain how an FBI line-of-duty or service-connected death review and funeral coordination are initiated. I need a reference number and an immediate return call.
2
FBI casualty assistance, line-of-duty review and memorial eligibility
Please identify our assigned survivor contact, confirm which FBI office will coordinate funeral or memorial arrangements, and explain the official review for recognition as a 9/11 line-of-duty/service-connected death. Please also assess FBI Wall of Honor recognition and provide any written eligibility determination.
This is the family of the FBI responder whose VCF eligibility and Ground Zero presence your firm established. He has died, possibly from a 9/11-related cancer or illness. Please help the personal representative protect the deceased-victim filing deadline, obtain medical causation evidence, open the appropriate VCF claim, and coordinate any FBI or PSOB-related claims and offsets.
4
WTC Health Program — certification, records and medical review
A WTC responder has died. We need all of his certified WTC conditions, the certification decisions, and information on evaluating an additional cancer or illness that may have caused or contributed to his death. Please tell us how the authorized personal representative can request the necessary medical records.
5
9/11 Victim Compensation Fund — new deceased-victim claim
He had an existing VCF personal-injury claim with an October 8, 2021 eligibility decision for CHRONIC SINUSITIS UNSPECIFIED and is now deceased. His death may be 9/11-related, or we are uncertain. We need instructions to register a NEW deceased-victim claim, identify our personal representative, submit the cause-of-death evidence, and avoid an incorrect amendment to the prior claim.
6
Personal Representative — Virginia circuit court / probate
We need the court appointment and authority to pursue a September 11th Victim Compensation Fund deceased-victim claim. What Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration are needed, and must the order expressly authorize settling and receiving a VCF award?
7
Treating physician, hospital and funeral director — medical cause-of-death evidence
Please ensure the death certificate accurately reflects the diagnosed cancer or illness and contributing causes where medically justified. We also need the terminal medical summary, oncology/pulmonology records, and supporting physician statement for a possible 9/11-related death review.
8
DOJ Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) — survivor claim
After notifying FBI; do not assume automatic eligibility
My husband was a retired FBI 9/11 responder and may have died from a WTC-related cancer or disease. Please explain the PSOB death-benefit eligibility review, including the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes cancer rules and what the FBI must certify or supply. What documents and deadlines apply?
9
Funeral honors and burial — FBI lead requested, Army as appropriate
The family requests the FBI to coordinate official funeral and survivor assistance if the death is determined to be related to his FBI 9/11 service. Please tell us what the Bureau can actually authorize or pay for, and coordinate with military funeral honors and our Arlington/Quantico burial preferences.
10
Legal/financial coordination — VCF insurance and survivor-benefit offsets
Before accepting or settling any VCF wrongful-death award
Please analyze the VCF’s wrongful-death offsets, including life insurance and Social Security survivor payments, and distinguish them from the personal-injury component. We also need to know which claims may run in parallel without waiving any rights.
VCF deceased-victim filing: critical legal and financial details
New deceased-victim claim, even if previous personal injury claim existsWhen death is believed WTC-related OR uncertain, the VCF says register a new deceased-victim claim. Have the lawyer coordinate the existing claim status; do not simply submit a personal-injury amendment. VCF section 6 ↗
Official cause-of-death evidenceObtain the long-form death certificate, treating-physician statement, terminal records, any cancer pathology and WTC certification records. The family may need verification after death if the fatal condition was not previously certified. VCF eligibility ↗
Representative and deadlinesVCF generally requires court-appointed personal representative authority. Because you already have a prior VCF claim, the registration timeline has special rules; do not wait to ask the attorney. Complete claims are due no later than October 1, 2090 under current law, but registration deadlines can be much earlier. VCF deadlines ↗
Life insurance and survivor benefits may offset a VCF wrongful-death awardVCF describes offsets involving death benefits, life insurance and Social Security survivor payments. Your attorney should analyze the offsets and any earlier personal-injury award before estimating net compensation. Do not add a hypothetical VCF award to guaranteed survivor income. VCF offset rules ↗
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) is separateAsk DOJ whether the specific cancer/death qualifies, including the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes 2025 changes. Official eligibility depends on qualifying service, exposure, timing, documentation and a final agency decision. For eligible deaths on/after October 1, 2026 the publicized benefit is $477,336; not included in any financial total until approved. DOJ rules ↗
Retirement investments
Your Empower 401(k) and debt tracking
The last screenshot showed $44,132.01 in Empower. The SpaceX brokerage transfer was internal, so it does not increase the account's total value or create new debt.
Not connected to live accounts
401(k) snapshot value
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Or estimated if current stock price entered
SpaceX value
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Order status unverified
External consumer debt
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Affirm/current payoffs not included
401(k) loans
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Two plan loans; already reflected in plan accounting
Update the investment snapshot
Use the latest statement and actual executed trade, not your original order limit
When filled shares, average cost and current quote are supplied, estimated 401(k) value = your latest account snapshot + change in SpaceX market value since that snapshot. This assumes other holdings have not moved; it is not a live brokerage feed.
Brokerage transfer: $2,500 inside Empower. Limit order submitted October 16 for 17 SPCX shares at $144.25, but fill not yet confirmed.Open Empower ↗
Known debt reduction plan
Based on the last balances you provided
Your plan: finish cards, pay the smaller Upgrade loan, then the larger Upgrade loan, then OneMain, and finally CarMax. Keep both 401(k) loans current, particularly if leaving Compass Point at age 60.
What makes your investment total incomplete?
Empower display reported $554,832 in assetsThat included $510,700 categorized as “Other.” We do not have a verified breakdown or corresponding mortgages, so this dashboard does not treat it as confirmed net worth.
Current 401(k) loan detailsTwo outstanding plans loans totaled $6,925.21 on October 14. Loan repayment reduces obligations but is not separate new household wealth.
No automatic market or banking connectionThis single-file page works offline and remembers your entered settings in your browser. It cannot authenticate into Empower, fetch private balances or guarantee delayed/public stock prices.
Life insurance premiums and loan deductionsEmployee contributions and loan repayments affect paycheck income while working; retirement projections omit investment withdrawals unless explicitly entered in assumptions.
Make the model your own
Editable assumptions
Change benefit estimates, Social Security claiming ages, retirement age, insurance and your spending target. Every change updates both timeline and survivor views and is saved locally in this browser.
Monthly retirement income inputs
All values are held constant in approximate 2026 purchasing power; no future COLA or inflation rate is asserted.
Retirement timing and spending
Insurance and survivor-benefit assumptions
Policies and award letters must be verified. Employer group coverage does not automatically continue after you leave Akima.
VA DIC, military SBP, survivor Social Security and OPM survivor benefits have separate requirements; never treat the total as an awarded amount. Supplemental child benefits are excluded from the recurring total pending verification.
Planning references and important cautions
As-of datesOPM gross $3,929 and net $2,081.59 from earlier 2026 retirement statement; Empower $44,132.01 screenshot October 16, 2026; 401(k) loans $6,925.21 October 14; external consumer debt $49,012.38 from prior statements and pending card payments.
VA DIC2026 rate effective Dec. 1, 2025: $1,699.36 basic spouse amount. VA official rates ↗
Social SecurityThese amounts use prior SSA benefit estimates and may assume employment through a later date. Stopping W-2 work in 2028 changes future estimates; Social Security spousal or survivor amounts are not simply added in full to SSDI. SSA survivor benefits ↗
Tax, inflation and health premiumsThe editable effective-tax slider is a rough approximation across taxable sources, not an IRS calculation. The health premium figure is subtracted before expenses, so avoid counting it twice. Actual income tax treatment differs among pension, SSDI, retirement SS and rental income. Your VA disability payments are tax-free. FEHB and other insurance costs vary with time.
Never assume 401(k) ROI or stock returnsEmpower's reported 16.14% historical annualized return is not assumed to continue. The webpage is for cash-flow planning and records, not a recommendation to trade securities or withdraw retirement savings.
Star Family planning dashboard · Created October 2026 · Illustrative only. Not affiliated with Empower, OPM, VA, DFAS, SSA or Akima. Verify entitlements, beneficiary designations and current balances directly with the agencies and insurers. Changes are saved to this browser only; use Export settings to retain a backup of your assumptions.
First call for a possible 9/11-related death
If death is caused by or may be linked to ANY WTC-covered cancer, illness, or medically related complication: contact FBI first, request a casualty liaison, preserve medical cause-of-death records, then call attorney Traci Welsh to coordinate VCF and DOJ claims.
The WTC certification dated February 3, 2021 and VCF eligibility decision dated October 8, 2021 cover the recorded sinus condition, but do NOT limit potential future cancer claims. Recognition, eligibility and funeral assistance require individualized official decisions.