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In getting divorced, you will need to understand how your benefits are
affected by this family status change. This overview is designed to highlight
the benefit options that you may want to evaluate. Additional information is
available on the Benefits Web Site
or from the Human Resource Information Center (HRIC) at 684-5600.
What proof of divorce will I need?
As divorce is considered a change in family status, you will be able to make
changes to some of your benefit programs outside of the annual open enrollment
period, providing the change is consistent with the divorce and you bring a copy
of your divorce decree to the HRIC within 30 days of the finalized
divorce date. This documentation must accompany your change request.
Can my ex-spouse or ex-stepchild remain covered under my Duke health, dental,
or vision insurance plan?
No. An ex-spouse or ex-stepchild is not considered an eligible dependent and
cannot remain covered under your health insurance or
dental insurance policy. Any claims paid by the health, dental,
or vision insurance plan for expenses incurred by an ex-spouse or ex-stepchild
who is no longer eligible for coverage are subject to recovery.
The federal law, COBRA, allows for up to 36 months continuation of health, dental,
and/or vision coverage for your ex-spouse and/or ex-stepchild.
Premiums due will be for the full premium
payment plus a 2% service charge. Inform the HRIC of your ex-spouse's address so
that COBRA eligibility notification can be sent.
I've lost my health, dental, or vision insurance coverage due to divorce. Can I enroll in Duke's plan?
Yes, as long as you would otherwise be eligible based upon your employment
status. Your loss of coverage is considered a qualifying event and allows you to
enroll outside of the annual open enrollment. You'll need to contact the HRIC
within 30 days of the divorce and provide proof of the final divorce. You may also be eligible for COBRA
continuation through your ex-spouse's plan and should contact the appropriate
plan representatives.
Can I make changes to my health care or dependent day care reimbursement account?
Yes. You are able to stop or change the amount you are contributing into the
reimbursement accounts providing this is done within 30 days from the date of
your divorce and the change is consistent with your change in family status.
Since the IRS allows only the custodial parent to use the dependent day care
reimbursement account, your eligibility for dependent day care reimbursement may
change. Contact the HRIC for participation or contribution changes. All other
questions regarding the reimbursement plan should be
directed to
WageWorks. For more information, please see the
Reimbursement Accounts Web Site. What do I need to do about my life insurance plans?
Employees with young children and with high long term debt, such as a
mortgage, may need more life insurance to provide financial security for
surviving family members than employees with grown children and less long term
debt. If you divide the amount of your current life insurance coverage by your
take-home pay, you will know how many pay periods your present level of earnings
would continue to support your household. If this figure is not sufficient in
dollar amount or duration to support your household, you may wish to increase
the amount of your life insurance coverage.
If you determine that you need to increase your coverage, there are a number
of life insurance options available. For example, with Personal Accident (AD&D)
insurance, you can purchase a high coverage amount at a low cost, but benefits
will only be paid in the event of accidental death. You can also purchase
Supplemental Life Insurance which will provide benefits in the event of death
from illness and natural causes. The premiums are higher for Supplemental Life
Insurance than AD&D. For more information, please see the
Life Insurance Web Site.
How do I change my life insurance beneficiary?
HRIC or specific program vendors can provide assistance. Additionally, you
may want to consider obtaining legal counsel if you will be establishing or
amending a trust fund or will.
Can I continue my ex-spouse's or ex-stepchild's life insurance policy?
The answer varies based on the type of insurance:
- Supplemental Life - For an ex-spouse and/or ex-stepchild,
Supplemental Life insurance issued through Marsh @Work Solutions cannot be
continued. You will need to
contact Marsh @Work
Solutions in writing and request that he or she be removed from the policy.
The cancellation request should include the date of divorce and the forwarding
address for your ex-spouse.
- Personal Accident (AD&D) - AD&D issued through CNA cannot be
continued and you will need to contact the HRIC to request your ex-spouse
and/or ex-stepchild be removed from the policy. If this change results in
your having an individual policy, contact the HRIC to change your deduction
amount. Your ex-spouse will not have the option to continue this policy.
- Universal Life - This coverage can be continued for both your
ex-spouse and/or ex-stepchild.
Contact the Holroyd Agency or North Carolina
Mutual Life Insurance Company for a full explanation of the continuation
options available.
What about the beneficiary on my 403(b) retirement plan?
If your ex-spouse did not sign a "Waiver of Pre-retirement Survivor Annuity,"
and is your named spouse on your retirement plan, he/she may be entitled to at
least 50% of your retirement benefits in the event of your death. You may want
to contact the HRIC and provide a copy of the divorce decree to update these
records. Also,
contact your retirement vendor(s) directly to update any address change. What other insurance plans do I need to consider?
If your ex-spouse was a participant in Duke's Long Term
Care Insurance plan issued through Aetna, he/she can continue the insurance
on a direct pay basis.
Contact Aetna to remove your ex-spouse from your policy. If your ex-spouse
or ex-stepchild was listed on a Personal Casualty policy
you purchased through MetPay, you will need to
contact Marsh @Work
Solutions for coverage conversion options.
What about updating my personal information on record?
If you have a NetID, you can change your directory listing at
Online@Duke. If you don't have a NetID, you can
request one through the Office of Information Technology (OIT). If you are unsure whether you have one or not, please see
NetID Help.
Otherwise, please use iForms.
Instructions for using iForms and submitting online forms are included in
documentation on the iForms Web Site. Your new information will also be updated for your health, dental,
and vision plans. To update any other benefit programs (e,g,
reimbursement accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, disability, etc.), please use the
Contact Information to notify the benefit vendor directly.
Also, make sure to update your marital status and withholdings on your federal
and state tax forms, available on the Web Tools and Forms page.
The life event series overview is intended to
highlight some of the benefit options to be considered due to a change in family
status. It is not designed to substitute for an official plan document. If there
is a conflict between this web site and the official plan documents, the official
plan documents will govern in all cases. Duke reserves the right to change or
terminate these plans or your eligibility for benefits under the plans at any
time.
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