Qualified Life Events | Retirees
WHEN YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR BENEFITS
You may change your benefit elections under the following conditions:
- Open Enrollment - annually in the fall
- Qualified Life Event (QLE) - within the specified time period listed below
- The changes you can make are dependent on the type of QLE. See the QLE and Mid-Year Changes Chart for full details.
- Deadline: All forms and required documentation must be submitted within 31 days of the QLE, as outlined below under How to Change Benefits for a Qualified Life Event (QLE).
- If you have not experienced a QLE as defined below, you must wait until the next annual open enrollment period to make changes.
HOW TO CHANGE BENEFITS FOR A QUALIFIED LIFE EVENT (QLE)
- Gather: All required documentation as listed on the QLE and Mid-Year Changes Chart.
- Fill out: Retiree Benefits Enrollment Form | 2021 | 2022
- Deadline: Submit form WITH required documentation within 31 days of the QLE.
- Any missing information or supporting documents will delay processing.
- Email: [email protected]
- FAX: 602-542-4744
QUALIFIED LIFE EVENT (QLE) DEFINITIONS
Qualified Life Events (QLEs) include but are not limited to the following:
- Marital status: marriage, divorce, legal separation, annulment, death of a spouse
- Your former spouse must be removed from the plans regardless of a court order to continue their coverage.
- Divorce, Legal Separation and Annulment Process
- Dependent status: birth, adoption, placement for adoption, death, marriage or dependent eligibility due to age
- Eligibility status: becoming eligible for Medicare
- Residence status: resulting in different plan options available
- Employment status or work schedule: affecting benefit eligibility for you, your spouse, and/or dependent. Can include:
- LWOP - leave without pay
- Return to Work Retirees - see the information listed below.
- Additional QLEs - see the QLE and Mid-Year Changes Chart for a full list.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS
- Supporting documentation must be provided when adding/removing a spouse or dependent.
- Deadline: All forms and required documentation must be submitted within 31 days, or loss of enrollment will result.
- See the QLE and Mid-Year Changes Chart for the documents required.
DUPLICATE/DUAL COVERAGE RULES - BOTH SPOUSES STATE EMPLOYEES
Duplicate or dual enrollment in State plans is prohibited and will be terminated with no refunds for the premiums paid. For spouses who are State and/or a State University employees and/or retirees, these rules apply:
- You cannot enroll each other as dependents, nor have your children enrolled twice.
- One spouse may elect coverage for the entire family, or each spouse may elect their own individual coverage.
- Dependent children can be on one spouse's policy or divided between spouses.
- If your child is a State and/or State University employee, he/she cannot be enrolled as a single subscriber in a State plan and as a dependent on your policy.
- You cannot enroll simultaneously as a single subscriber in the retiree medical, dental, and/or vision plans for the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) AND the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
