Death of an Employee

If an employee that is actively working or on leave of absence dies, please follow these steps:

• Notify us (815-753-6000 or humanresources@niu.edu) of the employee that passed away. In your notification, please include the date of death and your contact information (name, address, phone number).
• We will contact SURS, Central Management Services, and MetLife on your behalf. The agencies will then work directly with the named beneficiaries.
• The Payroll Office will send you a letter with what information will be needed before payment can be made for any unpaid wages, compensable time, and/or accrued vacation time. The documents that will be requested are:
  • A copy of the death certificate
  • A copy of the last will and testament, a circuit court order declaring heirship, or small estate affidavit
  • A W-9
  • Return any NIU equipment to us or the department. We can also assist if personal items need to be retrieved from the department.

For more information, refer to the following:

• Information from SURS on death of a member
• Video from SURS on death and survivor benefits assistance

Please note:  If a retiree dies, SURS (800-275-7877) should be contacted instead of NIU.