Divorce

Name and Address Changes

You can begin using a new name on campus at any time, by updating the Personal Information in Workday. In order to update your name for tax and benefits purposes, however, you will also need to send a copy of your new Social Security card to HR. This will ensure that your W-2 information is correct and matches your tax filing at the end of the year. 

You can update your address Workday as well. This change will automatically be reflected in Payroll, Finance, and your benefits enrollments. When updating your address, you will also need to complete a new Residency Certification form.

See this Job Aid for assistance with updating your Personal Information.

Benefit Changes to Consider

When you get divorced or terminate the spousal equivalency certification, you must remove your former spouse/spousal equivalent from all of the University's insurance plans (health care, dental, vision, etc.) You can elect coverage through the University if your former spouse/spousal equivalent had been covering you under their plan.

You may;

  • Also want to change your participation in flexible spending accounts.
  • Want to change your life insurance and/or retirement plan beneficiaries.

All benefits additions/cancellations are required to be submitted within 31 days of the divorce, or termination of the Spousal Equivalency Certification, and are effective on the date of the divorce. Beneficiary changes can be made at any time throughout the year. These changes can be made by logging into the TIAA site (for the retirement plan beneficiary update). Life insurance beneficiary changes are made in Workday, using the Benefits change option and selecting the appropriate life event (Beneficiary Change). 

For more information on each of these benefits, including looking up the cost implications of changing your plans, visit the Insurance section.

Please note:

  • Legal separation is not recognized as a family status change in the state of Pennsylvania, and therefore is not an event permitting the change of insurance coverage.
  • A court ordered requirement to provide insurance coverage for an ex-spouse does not qualify that spouse for coverage under the University plan. This order requires you to pay the COBRA premium or find them insurance outside of the plan.

COBRA Continuation Coverage

The University is required by law to offer COBRA continuation coverage to any former dependent whose insurance is canceled due to divorce. You should provide a forwarding address to HR, for your former spouse/spousal equivalent, so that the COBRA information reaches them in a timely manner. Former dependents have the right to continue coverage under any plan they were covered on at the time of the divorce, at their own expense, for a maximum of 36 months. If it is part of the divorce agreement that the employee covers the former spouse on healthcare for a certain amount of time, the employee is then responsible for remitting the COBRA premiums. Per our plan rules, under no circumstances can the University continue to cover a divorced spouse on the plan as a dependent.

Family and Lifestyle Adjustments

Changing family dynamics can be emotional and sometimes stressful.  It can affect various family members in different ways. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through Health Advocate, is available to provide counseling on a wide variety of topics and is available to eligible employees, their spouses/spousal equivalents, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law. Simply call 866-799-2728 (toll-free) to talk to a counselor, or go to https://members.healthadvocate.com/ to access the Health Advocate website. The program is available 24/7.

Tuition Benefits

If your former spouse or step-child is using the tuition benefits at the time the divorce becomes final, they will be permitted to finish out the semester under the benefit.

ID Cards

ID cards for former dependents must be returned to Card Services.