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  2. Benefits
  3. Death of a Covered Dependent

Death of a Covered Dependent

If your spouse or child passes away, notify People Experience to make appropriate changes to your employee record and to your benefits.

 

Action Items Checklist: 

For a printable copy click here.

  • Update your marital status and tax withholding in Oracle (if applicable).  

Update your martial status in Oracle by logging in and going to Me > Personal Information > Personal Details > Demographic Info > Martial Status. Update your W-4 in Oracle by logging in and going to Me > Pay > Tax Withholding > Edit. Make sure you agree to the disclaimer in order to save your changes. 

  • Contact People Experience by phone at 615-343-4788 or by email at benefits@vanderbilt.edu to begin the life insurance and/or accidental death and disbursement claim process, if applicable.
  • Declare a  Death of a Dependent  Life Event in your  My VU Benefits  portal and update your benefit elections, if applicable. Life Event updates must be completed within 30 days of the date of your dependent’s death.

See How to Make a Family Status Change for more information.

Health, Dental, Vision and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage

Declare a Life Change in My VU Benefits.

Enter the date following the day of death as the effective date of the event to ensure all applicable claims are paid appropriately. For instance, if your dependent died on March 1, you would enter March 2, since this will be the first date he or she would not be covered on the insurance plans.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Due to the death in your family, you may want to start, stop or change the amount you contribute to an FSA.

  • Update your life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment  Beneficiaries in your My VU Benefits portal by clicking on  Update My Beneficiaries  from the home screen.

  • Contact your retirement plan vendor to update your beneficiary and marital status, if applicable.

Fidelity at 800.642.7131 or online

TIAA at 800.842.2776

Valic at 800.448.2542