Birth or adoption of a child – You may add your child to your group health and dental plans automatically if application is made within 45 days of their birth or adoption.  Beyond 45 days, a child may also be added, however, as a late applicant you must apply in writing to Medavie Blue Cross. In the case of late applicants, coverage under the health plan will be subject to medical evidence of insurability whereas coverage under the dental plan will be automatic but reimbursement in the first year of coverage will be limited to a maximum of $100. To do this, please email myhr@mun.ca.

Spousal group insurance coverage – You may add your legally married spouse to your health and dental plans automatically if application is made within 45 days of your marriage. A common law spouse may also be added automatically if application is made within 45 days of having completed 12 consecutive months of co-habitation. Beyond 45 days, a spouse may also be added, however, as a late applicant you must apply in writing to Medavie Blue Cross. In the case of late applicants, coverage under the health plan will be subject to medical evidence of insurability whereas coverage under the dental plan will be automatic but reimbursement in the first year of coverage will be limited to a maximum of $100. To do this, please contact the Department of Human Resources. If your spouse was previously covered under their own employer sponsored group insurance plan, but loses that coverage as a result of loss of their employment, you may add them automatically to your health and dental plans if application is made within 45 days of them losing coverage. To do this you must provide a letter from your spouse’s former employer indicating the date of loss of coverage and the reason for the loss of coverage.

Death of a loved one – Following the death of a loved one who was a Memorial University employee, retiree, or the spouse or child of an employee or retiree, please let Memorial’s Human Resources team know. The team can be reached by calling (709) 864-2434 or emailing myhr@mun.ca.

For detailed information on what to do following the death of a loved one, please consult the Service Canada website.

Pension benefits for a principal beneficiary – For retirees and employees entitled to receive a pension from the Memorial University Pension Plan, a monthly benefit is payable to their principal beneficiary upon their death. It is important to note that the principal beneficiary is defined in the pension plan to be a legally married spouse or a cohabiting partner. Pension plan members cannot name a different beneficiary as they can with personal retirement savings plans.

Life Insurance death benefits – Insurance proceeds are payable to the last named beneficiary. Original beneficiary designation forms are maintained by the Department of Human Resources. It is extremely important that you notify the Department if you wish to make a change to your life insurance beneficiary. To do this, please complete a Beneficiary Change Form and return it to the Department of Human Resources.