Divorce
Divorce (including legal separation and the dissolution of a grandfathered qualified domestic partnership) is a qualifying life event that allows for a change in benefits and covered eligible family members — provided that it is reported through Benefits Connect within 60 days of the divorce (legal separation, dissolution) and required documentation is provided.
If a divorce is not reported within 60 days, you will not be able to make benefits changes until the next Annual Enrollment (unless you have another qualifying life event) and may be responsible for benefits-related expenses incurred by ineligible family members.
See Reporting life events for more information.
Required documentation
Report the divorce and update your benefits through Benefits Connect. The Board will then contact you for any required supporting documentation. This may include a court order, a domestic relations order, and/or a qualified medical child support order.
Divorce and benefits coverage
Medical benefits
Coverage for your former spouse
Medical coverage for your former spouse ends as of the last day of the month in which the divorce is final.
A former covered spouse may continue coverage in the same medical option by electing medical continuation coverage and making the monthly payments.
Coverage for your children
Court orders that decide a member’s responsibility or custody also determine whether or not eligible children will have coverage under the member. For children who will no longer have coverage under the member, coverage ends as of the last day of the month in which the divorce is final.
Dental and vision eyewear benefits
Coverage for your former spouse
Dental and vision eyewear coverage for former spouses ends as of the last day of the month in which the divorce is final.
Coverage for your children
Court orders that decide a member’s responsibility or custody also determine whether or not eligible children will have coverage under the member. For children who will no longer have coverage under the member, coverage ends as of the last day of the month in which the divorce is final.
Pension benefits
Pension and survivor benefits cannot be paid to a former spouse unless the Board of Pensions has accepted a court order assigning a portion of the benefit to the former spouse (a domestic relations order, or DRO). Based on the court order, an alternate payee (spouse, former spouse, or dependent) may begin to receive assigned retirement benefits any time after the member reaches the earliest retirement age allowed under the plan. Preapproval by the Board of Pensions of any court order is required.
Additional information
The Benefits Plan and Divorce may offer additional, helpful information including sample court orders to assist counsel.