Life Events

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Life Event - Adoption/Guardianship of Dependent Child

Adopting a child is a joyful event in one's life. As a guardian you become the primary person responsible for the child's needs and progress in life. Obviously you will be considering the child in this process, but you must also consider yourself, other family members, and the family environment. A review of your benefit plans is certainly in order at this time.

Plan Checklist

  • Legally adopted children, foster children and children who live in your home and for whom you or your legal spouse are the legal guardian are covered by the Plan in the same way as natural children. You must complete a new Enrollment Form and provide a copy of the legal adoption, foster or guardianship papers to the Plan Office. The Plan may also require proof that you provide the child's support. If you have HMO coverage, this must be done within 31 days of the arrangement in order to ensure coverage.
  • You will want to review your designation of beneficiary for the death benefit under the Health & Welfare Plan. If you are unmarried, you will also want to review the designation of beneficiary in the Pension and Retirement Savings Plans.
  • Review the rules for coordination of benefits. Coordination of benefits rules govern who will have the primary coverage for your child if both you and your spouse have group health coverage.
  • If you think you might be taking Family/Maternity/Paternity Leave you should contact the Plan Office to find out about how your benefits may be affected.

Also Consider...

Financial planners recommend that whenever there is an addition to your family you should update a number of personal plans and documents. Here is a checklist of some items which you may need to update, revise, or consider: