FAQ
We're here to help.
Becoming a Member
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How do I become a member of the First Catholic Slovak Union?
When you buy an annuity or insurance product from the First Catholic Slovak Union, and you live within U.S.A. and Canada, or someone purchases a product in your name (such as a grandparent buying insurance for the grandkids), you become a member.
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What are the benefits of membership?
Members of the First Catholic Union have many benefits, including scholarships, fraternal events, contest, receive our newspaper Jednota, and many more ….
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What kind of scholarships are available through the First Catholic Slovak Union?
On a national level, the First Catholic Slovak Union members can apply for two different scholarships to help with college expenses, the FCSU Scholarship and the Benevolent Scholarship Fund. On a branch level, check with your branch officer or our scholarship page.
Member Login
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How do I create an account?
To log into your account please click on Member Login. If you are a new user, please click on “Create Account” and create a username and password.
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I forgot my Password/Username
If you do not remember your password or your username, you may use the “Forgot Password/ Forgot Username” function on the login screen. Follow the instructions to reset a new username and password.
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Message: ”Your entry does not match our records. Please try again”
Make sure you are entering the same information that you have previously submitted to the FCSU (for example, Theresa instead of Terri, if that is how you have previously submitted your first name on a policy or form) so that it matches our records.
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Message: "Invalid Login Name or Password"
Make sure you are entering your login name and password correctly. Passwords are case sensitive. If your password is “tomato” you cannot enter “Tomato”. To reset your username or password, you may use the “Forgot Password/ Forgot Username” function on the login screen and follow the instructions
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Message: "Access to my site is temporarily disabled"
As a security measure, five failed login attempts in a row will cause your access to the site to be suspended. If this occurs you will need to contact the Home Office at 800-533-6682 ext. 129 to regain access.
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I do not see all of my policies
You are able to view ONLY ACTIVE POLICIES YOU OWN. This is a privacy issue regulated by law and not one that the FCSU can change or bypass. Please contact us or call the Home Office at 800-533-6682 ext. 129 if you are unsure which policies you own or are not able to view your own policies.
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I do not see my Branch/Deposit Agreement
Branch/Deposit Agreements will not be visible on the website. For information regarding your Branch/Deposit Agreement please contact us or call us at 800-533-6682 ext. 122.
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I did not receive the text confirmation code
If your cell phone number has changed, please contact us or call us at 800-533-6682 ext 129 to update your cell phone records.
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I would like to change the beneficiary on my policy
Please fill out the Member Service Request Form and mail it to the Home Office.
Find the form here. -
After clicking on the "Login" button, my screen seems to freeze, or returns to the same login page without showing any errors
Close your browser, shut down your computer, and restart. Many problems with Windows-based PCs will be fixed by doing this. If these steps do not resolve the issue, please contact us or call us at 800-533-6682 ext. 129.
Buying a Product
- Do you have to be Slovak or Catholic to buy insurance or an annuity?
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Are the insurance and annuity products from the First Catholic Slovak Union the same as from national insurance companies?
The First Catholic Slovak Union’s portfolio offers a wide array of insurance coverage and annuity products comparable to the best known insurance providers in both variety and cost.
Insurance/Annuity Policy
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Can a minor be the owner of a policy?
If the application did not designate an owner other than the insured, the minor policyholder will become the owner when he/she attains the age of 16. Until that time, the signor of the application owns the policy.
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If I pay for the policy am I the owner?
No. Unless it is specified on the application that the owner is someone other than the insured, the insured is the owner regardless of who is paying the premium.
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What is the difference between the owner of the policy and being the insured?
The insured is the person the insurance policy is covering. The owner can make changes to the policy, but does not have to be the same as the insured. The owner is the insured unless specified on the application that someone else is the owner.
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Can I reinstate my policy if it has lapsed?
Yes, you have 5 years from the day it lapsed to reinstate your policy. To reinstate the policy you must bring your payments up to date.
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How can I make my premium payments with a credit card?
Yes, you can now make your premium payment with a credit card by calling the Home Office at 1-800-533-6682 ext 117 or by completing the Credit Card Form and sending it to the Home Office.
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How can I make premium payments automatically?
Complete the ACH form, and return it to the Home Office. The payment will be taken directly out of your checking or savings account the 15th of every month.
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What is the difference between paid-up and accumulated dividends?
By choosing paid-up dividends, you are buying paid-up insurance and increasing the face value of your policy. Accumulated dividends is more like a savings account that will earn a percentage of interest.
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How can I get a replacement policy?
Complete the Member Service Request Form, and check off the section that reads ‘Declaration of Lost Certificate’ sign the form in front of a notary public, and return it to the Home Office. A Statement of Insurance will be mailed to you.
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How do I make a change on my policy?
Any changes made to a policy (only the owner of the policy can make these changes) including change of beneficiary, change of owner, and request for name change, can be done using the Member Service Request Form. Mark the change requested on the form, sign the form in front of a notary public, and return it to the Home Office. A Rider will be mailed to you when the change has been recorded.
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What is the difference between primary and contingent beneficiary?
The primary beneficiary is the person, people or organization that you wish to receive the monies in the event of the insured’s death. The contingent beneficiary is the person, people or organization that will receive the monies only upon the death of all the primary beneficiaries.
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What is the difference between face value and cash value of my policy?
Face value is the value that would be received by the beneficiary upon the death of the insured. Cash value is the amount that will be received if the owner surrenders/cashes in the policy.
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How do I file a death claim?
We require a Death Claim Report to be completed (with the insurance fraud warning signed, dated and witnessed), along with the current policy (most likely not the one written in both English and Slovak) and the original death certificate (may be returned to you upon request), sent to the Home Office.
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What if I cannot find the policy of the deceased member?
Complete the Affidavit of Deceased Member, sign the form in front of a notary public, and return it to the Home Office.
Newspaper
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How can I put an obituary in the Jednota newspaper?
- Obituaries for deceased members can be submitted with the claim, mailed to the editor at the Home Office, or emailed to editor@fcsu.com. There is no charge for an obituary. The obituary can be hand written or from a newspaper.
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How can I put an article in the Jednota newspaper?
Please send your publications for Jednota to our editor at editor@fcsu.com.
Jednota Memorial
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What is the Jednota Memorial?
The First Catholic Slovak Union has developed a Memorial site for our members and their families on a permanently dedicated 1 ½ acre of land of Jednota property in Middletown, PA. A rebronzed “Doughboy” statute is a key highlight of this Memorial, honoring those who served in any wars and also giving the opportunity for our Members to honor and remember their ancestors and family members who have made and make our Society great. Also included throughout the site: the existing pillars leading to the old Orphanage; a stone sign identifying the First Catholic Slovak Union – The Jednota; three flags of polished red granite etched with the national flags of the United States, Canada and Slovakia; granite plaques etched with FCSU historic scenes and subjects; and 15 blocks of high quality red granite each of which are designed to contain “bricks” at least in 4×10 and in 8×10 that contain memoriam messages from members and their families.
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How long has it been in existence?
The Jednota Memorial was dedicated on September 13, 2015.
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Where is it located?
The Jednota Memorial site fronts Rosedale Avenue in Middletown PA. It sits on land that was once occupied by the Jednota Orphanage in Middletown, PA; land that was purchased in 1911 at the urging of our founder Fr. Stefan Furdek for just such a purpose.
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How can I visit the Memorial?
The Memorial is free and open to the public.
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How can I contribute to the Memorial?
Tiles or “bricks” are still available for purchase to commemorate loved ones in your branch, district, or family. For more information on purchasing a tile, call the Home Office at 1-800-533-6682.