Making Benefit Changes

To add a dependent to your Health and Dental plans you must complete a:

• Benefit Application/Change Form or;
• For Postdoctoral Associates, a Benefit Application/Change Form for Postdoctoral Associates.

Definition of a Family

A Family includes the Employee plus one Spouse, if any, and children that are natural, legally adopted, step or foster children of the Employee or Spouse, who are unmarried, not engaged in full‐time employment, dependent on the Employee or Spouse for financial support and under age 21.

Definition of a Spouse

• The person to whom you are legally married; or
• The person who has continuously lived with you in a conjugal relationship outside marriage for at least one year

Definition of Dependent Children

"Child" means a natural, legally-adopted, step or foster child of yours, or of your spouse who is:

• An unmarried dependent child under age 21, not engaged in full-time employment and dependent on you or your spouse for financial support; or
• An unmarried dependent child under age 25 and a full-time student, not engaged in full-time employment and dependent on you or your spouse for financial support; or
• Dependent on you for maintenance and support because of a mental or physical infirmity that began while the child was under age 21, or age 25 if the child was a student
• A child of a spouse who is not legally married to you is eligible if the child's primary residence is with you, the employee.
• Coverage will continue until the end of the month following the date the dependent is no longer eligible for coverage as described above.

To update your Life Insurance beneficiaries you must complete a:

• Benefit Application/Change Form or;
• For Postdoctoral Associates, please use the Benefit Application/Change Form for Postdoctoral Associates.

Description of beneficiaries:

Primary - Someone who receives the proceeds from your life insurance policy.

Contingent Beneficiary - Someone who receives the proceeds from your life insurance policy if your primary beneficiary is no longer living.

Trustee - If a beneficiary is under the age of 18, the life insurance proceeds can be paid to a trustee (designated by the insured) who can receive funds on behalf of the minor.

Optional Life Insurance:

You have the opportunity to increase your Optional Life Insurance within 31 days of a life-changing event without proof of good health. Requests received outside this window will be subject to a medical questionnaire and approval from our carrier. 

Dependent Life Insurance:

You may add a dependent without proof of good health within 31 days of the dependent becoming eligible. Requests received outside this window will be subject to a medical questionnaire and approval from our carrier.

Voluntary Personal Accident Insurance:

You may add an eligible dependent at any time without a medical questionnaire and approval from our carrier.

Optional Spousal Life Insurance (PMA only):

A medical questionnaire and approval from our carrier is needed at all times.

A Benefit Application/Change Form is required to remove your spouse from the Health, Dental and Life Insurance plans in the event you divorce or separate from your spouse.

Your separated spouse may remain on your plans if you are legally married up until you legally divorce.

Coverage for a separated common law spouse may continue for 90 days from the separation date.

Download a copy of the:

• Benefit Application/Change Form or;
• For Postdoctoral Associates, please use the Benefit Application/Change Form for Postdoctoral Associates.

An unmarried dependent child under age 25 and a full-time student, not engaged in full-time employment and dependent on you or your spouse for financial support, may be eligible for continued coverage.

Download an Overage Dependent Child Verification Form

A disabled child that is dependent on you for maintenance and support because of a mental or physical infirmity that began while the child was under age 21, or age 25 if the child was a student, may be eligible for continued coverage.  

Request an Application for Overage Disabled Dependent