This subpart establishes the procedures that OPM will use to—

(a) Determine that an individual is a missing annuitant;

(b) Suspend payment of annuity to a missing annuitant;

(c) Notify individuals affected by such a suspension of payments; and

(d) Determine that a missing annuitant has died.

Any OPM office that receives information concerning the possibility that an annuitant might have disappeared will notify the Associate Director.

(a) Upon receipt of information concerning the possibility that an annuitant has disappeared, the Associate Director will conduct such inquiry as he or she determines to be necessary to determine whether the annuitant is alive and whether the annuitant's whereabouts can be determined.

(b) If during an inquiry under paragraph (a) of this section, or upon subsequent receipt of additional information, the Associate Director finds substantial evidence (as defined in § 1201.56(c)(1) of this title) to believe that an annuitant is either not alive or that the annuitant's whereabouts cannot be determined, the annuitant acquires the status of missing annuitant. The Associate Director will then—

(1) Suspend payments to the missing annuitant; and

(2) Notify individuals who may be able to qualify for payments under § 880.302 that—

(i) OPM has suspended the annuity payments to the missing annuitant;

(ii) Payment may be made under § 880.302, including the amount available for payment, how that amount was determined, and the documentation required (if any) to qualify for such payments; and

(iii) In response to an inquiry from any person seeking CSRS, FERS, FEHBP, or FEGLI benefits, OPM will provide information about documentation necessary to establish a claim for such benefits.

(a) If the missing annuitant's whereabouts are determined, and he or she is alive and—

(1) Competent, OPM will resume payments to the annuitant and pay retroactive annuity for the period in missing status less any payment made to the family during that period; or

(2) Incompetent, OPM will resume payments to a representative payee under section 8345(e) or section 8466(c) of title 5, United States Code, and pay retroactive annuity for the period in missing status less any payment made to the family during that period.

(b) If the missing annuitant's whereabouts cannot be determined, missing annuitant status continues until an authorized institution determines that the missing annuitant is dead. (See § 880.205.)

OPM does not make findings of presumed death. A claimant for CSRS, FERS, or FEGLI death benefits (other than payments under § 880.302) or an individual seeking an adjustment of accounts under § 880.207 must submit a death certificate or other legal certification of death issued by an authorized institution.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, for the purpose of benefits administered by OPM, the date of death of a missing annuitant who has been determined to be dead by an authorized institution is the date of disappearance as determined by the Associate Director.

(b) For the purpose of determining whether a claim is untimely under any statute of limitations applicable to CSRS, FERS or FEGLI benefits (section 8345(i)(2), section 8466(b), or section 8705(b) through (d) of title 5, United States Code), the time between the date of disappearance and the date on which the authorized institution issues its decision that the missing annuitant is dead is excluded.

After a missing annuitant is determined to be dead under § 880.205, OPM will review the case to determine whether additional benefits are payable or excess insurance premiums have been withheld.