Other Eligible Individuals

Spouse

A spouse must be legally married to and have his or her principal residence with the eligible employee.

Surviving spouse and children of a deceased employee

An eligible spouse or dependent child of a deceased employee or retired employee is eligible only for health, dental and vision coverage.

Domestic Partner

An employee's same-gender partner is eligible only for health, dental and vision plan coverage, not voluntary or supplemental AD&D coverage. Portable Tuition Plan benefits are extended to the child(ren) of the domestic partner though such benefits are considered taxable income to the employee. Reduced Tuition Plan benefits are extended to the domestic partner's undergraduate study at Northwestern University though such benefits are considered taxable income to the employee.

Dependent child

A dependent child is covered under the AD&D, dental, health and vision plans through age 22 regardless of student status.

Qualifications for dependent status include those individuals who have their principal resident with an employee, and who rely chiefly on an employee for financial support.

Dependent children include unmarried natural, step, legally adopted children, and any children who are in an individual's custody under an interim court order prior to the finalization of adoption proceedings.

Any children who are dependent upon an employee for financial support and maintenance because of mental retardation or physical disability will be covered regardless of age if they were covered by the plan prior to reaching the limiting age.

Dependent children do not include foster children or grandchildren.

The University reserves the right to require sufficient proof of dependent status in determining eligibility for dental coverage.

No individual may be covered more than once under the University's benefit plans.

Parents and grandparents

An employee's parents, grandparents and in-laws are eligible only for University-sponsored LTC coverage.

Plans

Health
Dental
Vision
Life Insurance
Retirement
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Short Term Disability (STD)
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Long Term Care (LTC)
Educational Assistance and Tuition
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)