A Family Member Dies

The death of a family member who is eligible for Corporation benefits is considered a qualifying change in status. A qualifying change allows you to adjust your participation in some of the Corporation's benefits when the change occurs. (Normally, you can change certain benefits coverage only once a year, during the annual enrollment period.) Most changes you make will be effective as of the date of the death, provided that you act within certain time limits.

Bear in mind that you have only 31 days following the date of the eligible family member's death to submit changes for your healthcare coverage and flexible spending account participation. If you miss the 31-day deadline, you must wait for the next annual enrollment period to change your coverage. Make changes via Employee Self-Service on The McGraw-Hill Companies intranet.

Note that, as with all qualifying changes, the death of an eligible family member allows you to make only changes that are consistent with your status change. For instance, if your spouse dies, you may switch from the "self plus one" to the "self-only" coverage level. You may not, however, switch from one medical option to another—for example, from the Account-based Option to the Traditional Option.

After you've considered your options, if you decide to or need to change your benefits, you can do so via Employee Self-Service on The McGraw-Hill Companies intranet. If the change you are making is to your 401(k) savings participation or to the investment of your 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan investments, visit Your Benefits Resources or call 1-866-477-6820.


Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage	Cancel coverage for the deceased family member within 31 days of his or her death. If you and/or your dependent children were covered by a plan available through your late spouse's employer, you may enroll yourself and/or your dependent children for the Corporation's coverage within 31 days of your spouse's death.
Healthcare FSA	Begin or stop participation, or change the amount you contribute, within 31 days of your family member's death.
Dependent Care FSA	Begin or stop participation, or change the amount you contribute, within 31 days of your family member's death. Keep in mind that if your spouse dies, limits on married couples' contributions no longer apply.
Disability Coverage	Consider whether it makes sense to enroll for supplemental long-term disability (LTD) coverage. For instance, if your spouse dies, you may want additional LTD coverage to provide more financial assistance in the event you become disabled. Keep in mind, you need to provide evidence of insurability to enroll in supplemental LTD.
Employee Life and Accident Insurance	Review your beneficiary designations and update them as necessary.
Dependent Life and Accident Insurance	Notify the HRSC to file a claim to receive death benefits from the covered family member's policy.
Property/Casualty Insurance	If your family member had insurance coverage through METPAY, you can cancel that coverage.
Retirement Program Pension Plan 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan	Review your beneficiary designations and update them as necessary. Review your participation in the 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan. Determine if you need to make any adjustments to your savings and investment strategy.