By Gayle Oliver

That’s a question you might ask come distribution time and that check you were expecting doesn’t arrive.

The main obstacle: you didn’t report your address change in time (you have until May 30th prior to the annual July 1st distribution) and the post office forwarding service just didn’t work.

Two Solutions: sign up for our website at www.fmsmf.org and/or direct deposit to your local bank.

REMEMBER!

In order to correct your address the Fund requires that you provide this information on either our standard address confirmation form or your own written notice bearing your original signature and date. This information can be faxed to us at (818) 755-7778 or mailed. It is for your own protection that we cannot make any changes unless the information we receive is signed and dated by you.

Even though we are associated by common interests, we do maintain separate records from your local as well as the following agencies and suggest that you contact them directly to update your records:

American Federation of Musicians (AFM)
Toll-Free number: (800) 762-3444

American Federation of Musicians and Employers’ Pension Fund
Toll-Free number: (800) 833-8065

Sound Recording Special Payments Fund
Toll-Free number: (866) 711-FUND

As in all of life, matters can go either way. Our yearly distribution is no exception.
As previously mentioned, your address needs to be absolutely up-to-date with us. Recognizing that many of you travel quite a bit, move quite a bit and may not be home when the mail carrier arrives with your check, we offer direct deposit.

Direct deposit is a perfect way to ensure that there are no obstructions between you and your money. If you sign up for this service your check will be deposited to your bank without any effort on your part other than the initial startup procedure. If you don’t already have our direct deposit form from previous Fund mailings, please call our office at (818) 755-7777 and we’ll be delighted to send you one.

Just one other reminder:

Be on the lookout for that 8x10 white envelope from the Fund! The checks have a 90-day active period before they become stale-dated. If that happens, you will no longer be able to cash it and must request us to reissue it. That request must also be done in writing, with your signature and dated. This is considered a first reissue request. However, should there be another check “fatality” and you request a second reissue, there will be a $10.00 processing fee that must be paid in advance.

Our mission is to ensure that the fruits of your labor are honored by the timely receipt of the benefits you have garnered from your work. However, it is a cooperative venture and we need your assistance in making that mission successful.

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