If your child is no longer eligible for coverage under your health/dental/vision/child life insurance plans as a result of attaining age 26, the child will be removed from your coverage automatically at the end of the month in which the child turns 26*. In addition, if removing the child from coverage results in a change in coverage level (e.g., from Family to Individual + Spouse/Domestic Partner), your contributions will automatically be adjusted. You will not need to submit any paperwork to remove the child in that situation.
When your dependent child reaches age 26, you should also:
- Review and consider making changes to your flexible spending accounts and/or health savings account elections.
- Review and consider updating your optional life insurance and AD&D elections (employee, spouse/domestic partner and/or child). If you elect to increase or enroll in optional employee and/or spouse/domestic partner life insurance, MetLife may require a Statement of Health (also referred to as evidence of insurability).
- Review your current life insurance, health savings account and Retirement Savings Plan (403(b)) beneficiary designations and make any necessary updates. Your life insurance beneficiary can be changed through Workday. Your health savings account beneficiary can be changed by logging onto your Optum Financial account. Retirement Savings Plan (403(b)) beneficiaries must be updated through your account at TIAA. Note: if you are married, the Retirement Savings Plan requires that your spouse be listed as your primary beneficiary unless this right is waived by your spouse.
*If your dependent child is disabled, coverage may continue past age 26. In this situation, contact the WashU Benefits Team at 314-935-2332 or via email at hr-benefitsmail@wustl.edu.
Notes
Changes to your health savings account, optional life insurance (employee, spouse/domestic partner and child) and retirement medical savings account coverage may be made at any time.
When your child loses coverage due to attaining the maximum age for coverage, your child will be eligible for up to 36 months of coverage through COBRA.