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.
 
Things to Consider:

1. Remove Spouse from Benefit Plans
In order to remove your spouse/domestic partner from your benefits, you have 31 days from the date of your divorce/domestic partner status change to report the change to HBC. After this Qualifying Life Event (QLE) window, you will not be able to remove your significant other until the next Annual Enrollment period.

Any stepchildren who are no longer eligible will also need to be removed from the plans. 
Conversely, if you and / or your children were covered by your spouse's/domestic partner's plan, you will need to enroll yourself or your child(ren) in the appropriate plan(s).

HBC requires a copy of your Divorce Decree or an Affidavit of your change in domestic partnership status. Required documentation can be loaded to the Benefit portal during the enrollment change process. For enrollment instructions, click here.


2. Review Tax Withholding
For instructions on how to update your tax withholding elections with HBC, click here

 
3. Consider Changes To Your Beneficiary Designations 

  • Contact Merrill at 1-888-335-8218 to make changes to your 401(k) beneficiary
  • Contact Wex at 1-800-498-8705 to make changes to your insurance beneficiary

4. Change Emergency Contact Information
For instructions on how to update your emergency contact information with HBC, click here