Steps to Take If You Get Married or Divorced

If You Get Married …
Notify the Benefit Plans Office and your Company’s Personnel Records Department to update your personnel records if your name changes.  You must show your Social Security card as proof of your name change.  In addition, make sure your supervisor or department office knows of any address changes and ask how to update payroll records.

Review your spouse’s benefits so you can coordinate coverage to your best advantage.

Change your benefit elections within 30 days of your marriage.

Consider increasing your contributions to the health care spending account, so you can pay for your spouse’s unreimbursed medical, dental and vision care expenses with before-tax dollars.

Update your life and accident insurance beneficiary records.

Update your Savings Program beneficiary records.  Keep in mind that if you have been married for at least one year and you want to designate someone other than your spouse as your beneficiary, you must have your spouse’s written and notarized consent.  Contact CitiStreet or the Benefit Plans Office for more information.

If You Get Divorced …
Notify the Benefit Plans Office and your company’s Personnel Records Department to update your personnel records if your name changes.  Make sure your supervisor or department office knows of any address changes and ask how to update payroll records.

Change your benefit elections within 30 days after the date your divorce is final.  You must submit a copy of the divorce decree in order to drop coverage for your ex-spouse.  Your ex-spouse is eligible to continue medical and dental coverage for up to 36 months through COBRA.  You or your ex-spouse have 60 days to notify the Benefit Plans Office in order to obtain COBRA benefits.  See the "Administrative Information" section.

You may also add your eligible dependents to your medical and dental coverage if a court establishes that you must provide coverage for dependent children who previously had coverage provided by your ex-spouse.

Update your life insurance, accident insurance and Savings Program beneficiary records.  Life and accident insurance forms are available from the Benefit Plans Office or on your company’s benefit forms web page.  You can request a Savings Program beneficiary form by calling the Savings Program information line.

Contact the Benefit Plans Office if you think a court may issue a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) granting your former spouse the right to receive any pension or Savings Program benefits.  You will be sent important information about the procedures and requirements for QDROs.

Call the employee assistance program if you need help with a personal, family or marital problem