Death of a Family Member
Losing a loved one is never easy, and it can be difficult to settle your loved one’s estate while you are still grieving. Please be assured that the staff at Indiana University are here to support you and will work with you to explain any benefits available to you and any actions you need to take.
For Active IU Employees Who Lose a Family Member
Download the Guide for IU Employees after the Death of a Loved One to learn how to update your benefits, file an insurance claim, and obtain assistance.
Depending on whether the deceased family member was covered under your plans, or you were covered on your deceased spouse’s plans, you may make corresponding changes to your IU benefit plan elections. You must make these changes within 30 days of the death by submitting a Life Event change request online through the Employee Center. Benefit changes will be effective as of the date of death.
Important Information
- A copy of the death certificate will be required. If there is a delay in receiving the death certificate, please contact IU Human Resources at 812-856-1234 or for assistance in making your benefits changes.
- Contact IU Human Resources at 812-856-1234 or for assistance in filing life insurance, critical illness, or supplemental AD&D claims.
Medical and Dental Coverage
You may take the following actions:
- Enroll in a plan if you were covered under your deceased spouse’s employer plan.
- Add a child to your plan if covered under the deceased spouse's employer plan.
- Remove the deceased family member from your IU plan.
Critical Illness Insurance
You may take the following actions:
- Add or drop coverage for yourself and/or your spouse.
- Increase or decrease the coverage level.
Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
You may take the following actions:
- Add or drop coverage.
- Increase or decrease the coverage level.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
You may take the following actions. The action must be consistent with the qualifying event.
- Increase or decrease your Healthcare and/or Dependent Care Spending Account election (if already enrolled).
Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you enroll in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) you are also eligible to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA). Once enrolled, you may change your contribution amount at any time by completing an HSA Enrollment / Change form.
You are responsible for tracking your contributions to ensure you don’t exceed the IRS annual contribution limits. If removing your spouse or dependent(s) results in excessive contributions, you must work with WEX to resolve the issue. See the Instructions for IRS Form 8889 or contact a tax advisor for additional information.
NOTE: if you enroll in the HSA or change your HDHP coverage level on or after October 1, you will not receive IU’s contribution to your HSA for the remainder of the calendar year.Additional Considerations
You may also want to consider making changes to the information and plans listed below. Such changes do not require completion of a Life Event Change and can be done at any time.
- Remove the covered dependent from your Supplemental Life Insurance coverage.
- Complete a Personal Data Change Form for changes to marital status.
- Visit the Employee Center for changes to name, address, and emergency contact.
- Change the beneficiaries on your base retirement and life insurance, as well as any other supplemental plans.
- Begin or stop contributions to a supplemental retirement plan.
- Change other IU-sponsored benefits.
Resources
For Survivors of an IU Employee or Retiree
Download the Guide for Survivors & Beneficiaries of IU Employees to learn how to continue your benefits, file an insurance claim, and obtain assistance.
