Family Coverage

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Related Files

» Affidavit of Domestic Partner Form
(pdf format)
To add a Domestic Partner to your coverage you must submit an Affidavit of Domestic Partner Form to Human Resources during the Annual Open Enrollment period.

» Benefits Enrollment Form
Use this form to enroll in or make changes to your benefits elections due to a qualifying event. Note, the form must be completed and submitted to Human Resources within 30 days of the qualifying event date, otherwise coverage cannot be changed until Open Enrollment, or if another qualifying event occurs.

WHOI recognizes that with a diverse workforce comes a broad array of personal circumstances and individual needs. The definition of family for one employee can be different - but equally as significant - from that of another.

As a participant in WHOI benefits, you may enroll a variety of eligible family members for coverage including your Spouse/Domestic Partner (same-or opposite-sex). In addition, your dependent children, as well as those of your Spouse/Domestic Partner, are also eligible for coverage.

To select the benefit choices and coverage options that best suit your needs, please carefully read this information, along with your other benefits information. If you have further questions, contact the WHOI's Human Resources Office or via e-mail through the BenefitsQA@whoi.edu. In addition, you may want to consult a tax advisor or legal counselor for further assistance.

Eligibility
If you are regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week, you are eligible for WHOI Benefits. In addition to yourself, you may enroll your eligible family members, including:

Spouse/Ex-Spouse/Domestic Partner (same or opposite-sex)
Dependents until their 26th birthday

Benefit Options
The following benefit options are available to you and your dependent child(ren), along with your Spouse/Ex-Spouse/Domestic Partner and his or her dependent child(ren):

All available medical coverage options
Dental coverage

For your Spouse//Domestic Partner and his/her dependent child(ren), you may elect Family Life Insurance. In addition, you can name your Spouse/Domestic Partner, as a beneficiary for:

Employee Life Insurance
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

What is a Same-Sex Spouse?
A same-sex spouse is a person of the same sex who is legally married to a WHOI employee. Currently, same-sex marriage is recognized only in the state of Massachusetts.

What Is a Domestic Partner?
Domestic partners are defined as two people who meet all of the following requirements:

Are the same or opposite sex
Share a committed relationship and intend to remain in the relationship indefinitely
Share a primary residence
Are age 18 or older
Are not blood relatives
Share joint responsibility for each other's welfare
Are each other's sole Domestic Partner
Are not legally married
Are legally able to enter into a contract

In addition, you and your Domestic Partner must have shared, for the previous 12 months, at least three (3) of the seven indicators of emotional and financial interdependence listed below:

A joint lease, mortgage or deed
Joint ownership of a vehicle
A joint checking or credit account
The designation of Domestic Partner as beneficiary of life insurance or retirement benefits
The designation of Domestic Partner as a beneficiary in a will
A Domestic Partner Certificate from local government, if available
Shared household expenses

To be eligible for benefits, you and your Domestic Partner must complete and submit an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership to Human Resources attesting that your relationship meets the outlined requirements.

Adding a Spouse/Ex-Spouse/Domestic Partner and/or Dependent to Coverage
To add a family member to coverage, you must complete an enrollment form during the Annual Open Enrollment period. To add a Domestic Partner you must also submit an Affidavit of Domestic Partner Form to Human Resources during the open enrollment period.

If you experience a Qualifying Life Status Change such as Marriage, Divorce, Birth/Adoption of a child, etc., please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible, as you may be able to make a change outside of our Annual Open Enrollment. It is important to notify Human Resources within 30 days of of the eligible Qualifying Event, otherwise coverage cannot be changed until Open Enrollment or if another qualifying event occurs.

NOTE: Ex-Spouse, Same-Sex Spouse, and Domestic Partner coverage may be subject to after tax deductions and imputed income.

Last updated: February 25, 2013

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