The employee, retiree or family member should notify the plan administrator within 60 days of events consisting of divorce or legal separation or a child's ceasing to be covered as a dependent under plan rules. D isabled beneficiaries must notify plan administrators of Social Security disability determinations. These beneficiaries also must notify the plan administrator within 30 days of a final determination that they are no longer disabled. P lan administrators, upon notification of a qualifying event, must automatically provide a notice to employees and family members of their election rights. The notice must be provided in person or by first class mail within 14 days of receiving information that a qualifying event has occurred.
T here are two special exceptions to the notice requirements for multi-employer plans.
Second, employers are relieved of the obligation to notify plan administrators when employees terminate or reduce their work hours. Plan administrators are responsible for determining whether these qualifying events have occurred. Qualified beneficiaries have a 60-day period to elect whether to continue coverage. A parent or legal guardian may elect on behalf of a minor child. A waiver of coverage may be revoked by or on behalf of a qualified beneficiary prior to the end of the election period.