Life Events

Domestic Partnership

Sharing your life with a significant other is not unlike marriage. It's a bond of love and trust, and with it comes similar concerns... financial stability, health and life insurance coverage, legal issues. Is my partner covered? Will my living situation affect my status in the workplace? Who can I talk to? This section will answer these and other questions.

Event Checklist

Review Life Insurance Coverage

When your estate increases (buying a home), your salary increases, or you add dependents (getting married, having a baby), your life insurance should also increase to protect those who depend on you. This is a good time to review your policy and increase your coverage, if warranted.

Sample Insurance Cost

Many people are under the misconception that they cannot afford the amount of life insurance that they actually need. The information needed to make an informed, intelligent decision on this subject is available to you through the Simplified Life Insurance Calculator and the following chart. The calculator provides a fast, accurate way to determine your actual needs; the chart provides you an estimate of the cost of meeting them.

Using the Table Below

Let's assume that you are a male, aged 35, who needs $250,000 of life insurance. This table shows you sample costs from one insurance company, using the assumptions described below. If you are preferred risk, the premium would be $18.59 per month. If you are a 32-year-old female, your rate would be lower than $18.59 per month.

The rates shown below are based on a 10-year renewable and convertible term policy, using "Non-Smoker Preferred Male" rates. Female rates are lower. (Remember, these rates are sample rates only, you might find lower rates in the marketplace.)

Amount of Coverage
AGE	$100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$1,000,000
20	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
25	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
30	$11.20/mo.	$17.06/mo.	$29.75/mo.	$49.06/mo.
35	$11.81/mo.	$18.59/mo.	$32.81/mo.	$55.13/mo.
40	$14.44/mo.	$25.16/mo.	$45.93/mo.	$81.38/mo.
45	$17.94/mo.	$29.53/mo.	$63.44/mo.	$116.38/mo.
50	$25.11/mo.	$47.47/mo.	$99.31/mo.	$188.13/mo.
55	$34.73/mo.	$75.91/mo.	$147.43/mo.	$284.38/mo.
60	$49.61/mo.	$113.09/mo.	$221.81/mo.	$433.13/mo.

Enroll Partner in Health Plans

To see what options you have to enroll your Domestic Partner in your health plan, please contact your HR administrator.

Review Tax Withholding

The Internal Revenue Service's W-4 Form has been set in a web-ready, electronic format. If you wish to change your withholding, download it and print it out at your leisure.

Marriage

Congratulations! The coming weeks and months will be a busy, exciting time for you both. This section will help you plan your wedding and focus on the personal, financial and legal issues to consider as you walk down the aisle into married life.

Event Checklist

Enroll Spouse in Benefit Plans

Contact your Human Resources Department for information about adding a new dependent to your other benefit plans.

Also, take the time to review your financial and insurance plans to make any changes to your coverage, contributions or beneficiary designations.

Review Tax Withholding

The Internal Revenue Service's W-4 Form has been set in a web-ready, electronic format. If you wish to change your withholding, download it and print it out at your leisure.

Review Life Insurance Coverage

When adopting a child, make sure to review and update your life insurance coverage. You should find insurance calculators helpful in thinking about how much life insurance you should purchase. It is also advisable for you to consult with your financial advisor.

Apply for a Social Security Card

If you legally change your name because you get married, you will need to apply for a corrected Social Security card with your changed name. Failure to do so could delay a tax refund coming to you or prevent some of your pay from being credited properly to your Social Security record, which could cause your future Social Security benefits to be less than they should be.

You will need to provide a recently issued document, such as your marriage license / certificate, as proof of your legal name change. If the document you provide does not give the Social Security Administration enough information to identify you in its records, you will be asked for an identity document showing your old name and another in your new name providing evidence of your identity.

You will need to fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) form and submit it to the Social Security Administration. You can download a copy of the SS-5 form and instructions in an electronic format from here and print it out at your leisure. The instructions include details on acceptable evidence of your identity.

Also, you can visit the Social Security web site or call 1-800-772-1213 at any hour of the day toll-free. If you wish to speak to a service representative, call between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time on business days. If you are hearing-impaired, call 1-800-325-0778 instead. Note: Social Security telephone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month, so if possible, avoid those times.

Social Security treats all information as confidential.

Reminder: If you are working, also tell your employer about your name change.

Separation or Divorce

When your relationship reaches a point where it seems necessary to part ways, you might find that divorce is the only viable option. Or, you might decide on a separation, which gives you both the chance to assess your feelings and expectations concerning the relationship. This section can help you make more informed decisions that can minimize the stress on everybody involved -- you, your spouse, and your children and family members.

Event Checklist

Remove Spouse from Benefit Plans

If your spouse is no longer eligible for coverage, you should notify the Benefits Department to remove him or her from the benefit plans. Any stepchildren who are no longer eligible will also need to be removed from the plans. You may also obtain information on COBRA continuing coverage for your spouse.

Conversely, if you and / or your children were covered by your spouse's plan, you will need to enroll yourself or your child / children in the appropriate plan(s).

Contact your Human Resources Department for more information.

Review/Change Beneficiaries

Review and / or make any changes to your beneficiary information for all of your plans. Contact your Human Resource Department for information.

Change Emergency Contact Information

You may want to make sure your Human Resources Department has the person you want on file should your employer need to contact someone in an emergency on your behalf. Contact your Human Resources Department for information on how to change your emergency contact information.

Having a Baby

Congratulations! This is an exciting and rewarding time for you! And while it will pose a lot of new challenges and questions, being prepared can help ease many of the doubts and concerns common to new parents and allow you to enjoy the million precious moments as they occur. This section will take you through the information you'll need to welcome a new addition to your family.

Event Checklist

Enroll Child in Benefit Plans

Contact your Human Resources Department for information about the benefit plans you may want to enroll your child in, and what paperwork is necessary to accomplish this.

In addition to enrolling your child in your health plans, you may want to consider changes to your beneficiary designation on your retirement and insurance plans. Contact your Human Resources Department for information on beneficiary designations.

Important! When your new baby arrives, you have a limited time to enroll him or her in the benefit plans offered by your company.

Review Tax Withholding

The Internal Revenue Service's W-4 Form has been set in a web-ready, electronic format. If you wish to change your withholding, download it and print it out at your leisure.

Review Life Insurance Coverage

Apply for a Social Security Card for Child

You can avoid having to fill out a special application or go to a Social Security office: when you apply for your baby's birth certificate in the hospital, indicate that you want to apply to have a Social Security number assigned as well. The information will be passed on to the Social Security Administration, and it will issue a number.

Otherwise, you will need to fill out an Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) form and submit it. You can download a copy of the SS-5 form and instructions in an electronic format from here and print it out at your leisure.

Note: Social Security telephone lines are busiest early in the week and early in the month, so if possible, avoid those times. The Social Security Administration treats all information as confidential Also, you can visit the Social Security web site or call 1-800-772-1213 at any hour of the day toll-free. If you wish to speak to a service representative, call between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time on business days. If you are hearing-impaired, call 1-800-325-0778 instead.

Adoption

Adoption brings joy and fulfillment to the lives of parents and children. Since the lifelong interests of the child are involved, the process can be complicated, time-consuming and, at times, frustrating. This section acquaints you with adoption procedures and the issues you should consider. It provides information and resources needed to take the next step: bringing an adopted child into your life -- and bringing happiness to the child.

Event Checklist

Enroll Child in Benefit Plans

Contact your Human Resources Department for information about the benefit plans you may want to enroll your child in, and what paperwork is necessary to accomplish this.

Important! When your new child arrives, you have a limited time to enroll your newly adopted child in the benefit plans offered by your company.

Review Tax Withholding

The Internal Revenue Service's W-4 Form has been set in a web-ready, electronic format. If you wish to change your withholding, download it and print it out at your leisure.

Review Life Insurance Coverage

Apply for a Social Security Card for Child

Losing a Loved One

Whether expected or unexpected, the death of a loved one creates a wide range of emotions and life changes that have to be addressed. As you begin to get your loved one's financial affairs in order, one of the first things you should do is review his or her benefits package. You should also make whatever changes are necessary to your own benefits. This section provides you with information that can help you confront some of the emotional and financial issues involved with the passing of a loved one.

Event Checklist

Remove from Benefit Plans

Contact your Human Resources Department for information about the benefit plans you may want to remove your loved one from, and what paperwork is necessary to accomplish this.

File Life Insurance Claims

In the case of an employee who dies, the Human Resources Department will work with the beneficiaries to handle the necessary paperwork. Note: In general, a certified copy of the death certificate will be required.

What Should I know about Social Security and VA Benefits?

Social Security:

Contact your nearest Social Security office for information on survivor benefits. A deceased person's spouse, minor children, or even divorced spouse, are sometimes entitled to benefits. However, Social Security laws change frequently so check with your local Social Security office, or call (800) 772-1213 for additional information.

Be prepared to provide:

- The death certificate (or a certified copy)

- The Social Security number of the deceased

- The decedent's latest W-2 form or tax return

- The name and address of the decedent's employer

- Social Security numbers of spouse and minor children

- Birth certificates of spouse and minor children

- Marriage certificate

- Divorce papers, if applicable

Veterans Administration:
For assistance in filing claims for veterans and survivor benefits, counseling or emergency financial assistance, contact:

Disabled American Veterans
P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301
(606) 441-6300

For information on military funerals, contact:

Veterans of Foreign Wars
VFW Memorial Building
200 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 543-2239

Review Insurance

Amount of Coverage
AGE	$100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$1,000,000
20	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
25	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
30	$11.20/mo.	$17.06/mo.	$29.75/mo.	$49.06/mo.
35	$11.81/mo.	$18.59/mo.	$32.81/mo.	$55.13/mo.
40	$14.44/mo.	$25.16/mo.	$45.93/mo.	$81.38/mo.
45	$17.94/mo.	$29.53/mo.	$63.44/mo.	$116.38/mo.
50	$25.11/mo.	$47.47/mo.	$99.31/mo.	$188.13/mo.
55	$34.73/mo.	$75.91/mo.	$147.43/mo.	$284.38/mo.
60	$49.61/mo.	$113.09/mo.	$221.81/mo.	$433.13/mo.

Retirement

Congratulations! You made it to one of the most rewarding stages of your life. With the right preparation, you can spend your post-career years exactly as you like: relaxing, traveling, spending time with loved ones or cultivating new interests. One of the keys to a happy retirement is laying the groundwork now for meeting your financial needs later. As you start the retirement planning process, your primary objective should be to live off the interest on your retirement savings. This section is designed to help you reach this goal and eliminate the age-old concern about out-living your resources.

Event Checklist

Participate in Retirement Savings Plan

When it comes to accumulating dollars for your retirement or other long-term needs, it doesn't get much better than a plan that allow your dollars to go in on a tax-advantaged basis -- which means Uncle Sam is encouraging you to contribute to your retirement plan. No taxes are paid until funds are withdrawn. Be sure to participate in the retirement plans offered to you by your employer.

Obtain an Estimate of Social Security Income

There is a lot of information you can request from the Social Security office. To find out what information is available, see:

- Social Security

- Your Retirement Benefit - How is it figured?

- Decide When to Retire

Sample Insurance Cost

Many people are under the misconception that they cannot afford the amount of life insurance that they actually need. The following chart provides you an estimate of the cost of meeting your needs if you take out an individual policy.

Using the Table

Amount of Coverage
AGE	$100,000	$250,000	$500,000	$1,000,000
20	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
25	$11.11/mo.	$16.84/mo.	$29.31/mo.	$48.13/mo.
30	$11.20/mo.	$17.06/mo.	$29.75/mo.	$49.06/mo.
35	$11.81/mo.	$18.59/mo.	$32.81/mo.	$55.13/mo.
40	$14.44/mo.	$25.16/mo.	$45.93/mo.	$81.38/mo.
45	$17.94/mo.	$29.53/mo.	$63.44/mo.	$116.38/mo.
50	$25.11/mo.	$47.47/mo.	$99.31/mo.	$188.13/mo.
55	$34.73/mo.	$75.91/mo.	$147.43/mo.	$284.38/mo.
60	$49.61/mo.	$113.09/mo.	$221.81/mo.	$433.13/mo.

Medicare

- Medicare

- Medicare Helpful Contacts