Continuation of Coverage for Dependents of Deceased Retirees

If you die while you are eligible for Retiree coverage, eligibility for your Dependents will continue to the end of the month in which you die, and then your surviving Dependents may elect to continue coverage under the Retiree Plan.

To be eligible to continue coverage under this provision, your surviving spouse must waive COBRA Continuation Coverage, except that if your surviving spouse remarries within 36 months of your death, Special Continuation Coverage will end, but your surviving spouse may elect COBRA Continuation Coverage under the Retiree Plan for the surviving spouse and Dependent Children for the balance of the 36-month period that begins on the date of your death.

Your surviving spouse and Eligible Dependent Children must make the required self-payments to the Plan for this continuation coverage at a rate set by the Trustees. Self-payments must begin in the month following the month of your death. This coverage is only available if your surviving spouse was married to you throughout the 12-month period immediately before your death.

Coverage provided to your surviving spouse and Dependent Children under this provision will terminate if your surviving spouse remarries following your death. Coverage for your surviving spouse who remarries and any covered Dependent Children will terminate at the end of the month in which your surviving spouse remarries. However, your surviving spouse and any covered Dependent Children will be entitled to elect COBRA Continuation Coverage under the Retiree Plan for the remainder of the 36-month period that started on the date of your death by making timely self-payments at the COBRA rate of coverage. If your surviving spouse does not remarry, coverage will terminate for a Dependent Child who continues coverage under these provisions when the Dependent Child no longer meets the definition of Eligible Dependent under the Plan. The Dependent Child may elect COBRA Continuation Coverage under this Retiree Plan for up to 36 months from the date the Child no longer meets the definition of an Eligible Dependent.

The premium for coverage is based upon your surviving spouse’s age. The rate will generally be decreased when your surviving spouse reaches age 60, again when your surviving spouse reaches age 62, and again when your surviving spouse reaches age 65. If your surviving spouse remarries, your Eligible Dependent Children’s coverage will continue under these provisions until each Child reaches the limiting age.