Many of us who retire can expect to see our 80th birthday, and a good number will live well into our 90s. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to speak with your family about what to do in the event of a debilitating illness or death.

These discussions are best held when you’re healthy and death is a long way off. It’s much harder to make decisions when emotions are running high.

Here is a list of topics to discuss with your family and the legal documents you should have. Let trusted family members know where you keep these documents.

Thanks to the UFT Legal Services Plan that they are automatically enrolled in, in-service UFT members can use the free services of a plan attorney to prepare a will and a living will and to designate a power of attorney and a health care proxy. Reciprocal wills can also be prepared at no charge for spouses or domestic partners.

In-service members may call the UFT Legal Services Plan at 212-331-6325. Retirees may call 631-231-1450.

Estate planning

It’s important to have an up-to-date will and other appropriate estate documents. Without a will, the state will impose its own formula for the distribution of your estate, which could result in serious consequences for the people you would have liked to have been your beneficiaries.

Durable power of attorney

If you become temporarily or permanently incapable of handling personal matters, your attorney-in-fact — the person to whom you designate the power of attorney — has the authority to make financial and other legal decisions on your behalf. This power of attorney expires upon your death.

You should designate someone you trust to play this important role.

You should mail a copy of your power of attorney form to the Teachers’ Retirement System. If you don’t have one, TRS has a form you can use on its website under Forms.

Health care proxy

Health problems may leave you unable to make decisions about your care. Don’t get caught without designating someone who knows what you want in the event that you can’t express yourself.

It’s a good idea to complete a health care proxy. The person you name has the authority to make decisions regarding artificial nutrition and hydration and other measures while you are incapacitated.

Living will

To make sure your health care proxy knows exactly what you want and what you don’t want, it is prudent to have a living will. This document helps your family know what you want during highly emotional times when you can’t speak for yourself.

In a living will, you leave instructions about life-extending care that can range from every possible treatment to keep you alive to no interventions at all. You can also leave instructions about organ donation.

Asset inventory and passwords

It’s a good idea to have a list of all your financial assets in the same place as your will and other estate documents. Such an inventory will make it easier for your survivors. The list would include your pension plan information; checking and savings accounts; certificates of deposit; stocks, bonds and other investments; life insurance policies; and deeds. It’s also helpful to have a list of all your liabilities, including mortgages, lines of credit, personal loans and other types of debt.

It’s also helpful to have a document with the passwords for your email, your cell phone and important online accounts. The more you document, the easier it will be for your survivors to manage your affairs.

Plan to update these lists annually.

In the event of your death

When you die, your beneficiaries should notify TRS at 888-869-2877 to initiate the death benefits process. They should also call the UFT Welfare Fund and the union. Here is detailed guidance for survivors when a UFT member dies.

This column is compiled by Tom Brown, David Kazansky and Victoria Lee, teacher-members of the NYC Teachers’ Retirement Board.