Death of Spouse, Domestic Partner or Child

Life Events

If your spouse, domestic partner, or child passes away, reach out to your benefits contact as soon as possible for information about how to remove the person from your benefits and apply for any death benefits available.

You must submit an application to remove your deceased spouse, domestic partner, or child from your benefits within 30 days of the death. Applications can be accessed on the Forms & Resources web page.

Information specific to each benefit plan can be accessed below.

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You have 30 days from the date of death to remove your deceased spouse or child from your existing coverage.

Note: If you do not submit your application within 30 days, you may be responsible for any premiums paid by the University in error.

If you were covered by your deceased spouse’s health insurance, you may enroll (can only cover family members that lost coverage) within 30 days of losing your comparable coverage due to your spouse’s death. Coverage is effective the date your other insurance terminates.

You have 30 days from the date of death to remove your deceased spouse or child from your existing coverage.

You have 30 days from the date of death to remove your deceased spouse or child from your existing coverage.

If enrolled in Spouse/Dependent coverage:

Review the beneficiary designation for your employee policy and update, if necessary.

If enrolled in Spouse/Domestic Partner or Child coverage:

  • Contact your benefits office to report death. Securian will send you a claim form.
  • If your spouse or domestic partner passed away, submit an application to cancel Spouse/Domestic Partner coverage within 30 days of the death.
  • If your child passed away and you have no other children eligible for coverage, submit an application to cancel your Child coverage within 30 days of the death.

Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.

If you carried Family coverage and the death of your spouse, domestic partner, or child was accidental, call the Zurich American Insurance Company at (866) 841-4771 to report the death and request a claim form. Zurich must receive the claim form within 90 days of death.

If you have Family coverage, and you have no other eligible dependents (spouse, domestic partner, or children), you should submit an application to change to Employee Only Coverage. The change to your coverage will be effective the first of the month following the date of death.

Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.

You have 30 days from the date of death to remove your deceased spouse or child from your existing coverage.

This plan offers employee coverage and is not affected by the death of your spouse, domestic partner, or child.

You may take the following actions within 30 days of the date of death:

  • Enroll in a Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Increase, decrease, or cancel your Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) election (if already enrolled).

You must submit a Change of Election form to your benefit's office to enroll in or change your election. If you enroll, coverage is effective on the first of the month on or following the event date.

Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.

You can enroll in or make changes at any time.

Review your beneficiary designation(s) and update, if necessary.

You can enroll in or make changes at any time.

Review your beneficiary designation and update, if necessary.

Review your tax withholding exemptions and update, if necessary. For information review the Update Federal and/or State W4 Tipsheet.

Beneficiary Designations

Remember to review and update your beneficiary designations when you have a life event to make sure that your benefits are paid according to your wishes. Benefit plans that have beneficiary designations include life insurance plans, retirement plans and the health savings account.

For more information review the Beneficiary Information web page.

Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.

Updated: 06/11/2025