Participant Responsibilities to the NYCDCC Welfare Fund Concerning Divorces

September 22, 2015

As an active participant in the NYCDCC Welfare Fund, it is important to remember that you have a responsibility to notify the Fund Office if you make a decision to divorce your spouse. Specifically, failure to notify the Fund Office of your divorce within 60 days of its occurrence could subject you, as well as your former dependent(s), to being responsible for medical claims incurred when coverage eligibility no longer exists. To remind you of your responsibilities to the Welfare Fund while you are experiencing a divorce, please review the information below. You can also find this information in your NYCDCC Welfare Fund Summary Plan Description (SPD).

What Happens if You Get Divorced?  

If you get divorced, you are responsible for notifying the Fund Office within 60 days and submitting a copy of your divorce judgment. You and your former spouse will be jointly and severally liable for any amounts paid on behalf of your former spouse or stepchild following a divorce. In addition to having to repay the Fund the costs of any benefits provided on behalf of your former spouse or stepchild, the Trustees have the sole discretion to permanently terminate your eligibility and the eligibility of your eligible dependent(s) if you fail to notify the Fund Office of your divorce.

IMPORTANT: A divorce does not change your Beneficiary or invalidate your prior designation of your former spouse as Beneficiary for your life insurance or accidental death and dismemberment benefit. If you are divorced and wish to change your Beneficiary for these benefits, you must submit a new Beneficiary designation form to the Fund Office.

It’s also important to note that, in addition to your responsibilities to the Welfare Fund concerning a divorce, you may also have to take certain actions involving the Pension and/or Annuity Funds as well. To learn more about your responsibilities to those Funds, please review your respective SPDs.

If you still have questions regarding what you need to do after your divorce, you can call our Member Services Department at (800) 529-FUND (3863).