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Life Events
Change in Dependent Status

Change in Dependent Status

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A change in the status of dependent is considered a qualifying life event necessitating a change in benefits plans outside the annual open enrollment period. Information is given below for benefits plans changes for ineligible dependents or the death of a dependent. Employees may contact the benefit vendor directly for more information.

Ineligible Dependent

Dependent children are eligible for coverage under various benefit offerings until the age of 26 regardless of full-time student status. Coverage for ineligible dependents will terminate on the last day of the month in which the child turns 26. The child may be eligible to continue coverage under COBRA, if reported timely.

If a covered dependent exceeds the maximum age, it is the employee’s responsibility to remove their dependent children from their benefits elections by completing a change action in the enrollment system or by email to the benefits office for the after-tax plans.

Employees must complete the change online to remove their dependent(s). All changes must be processed using the benefits enrollment system:

  • Log in to ConnectCarolina Self Service.
  • Click the My Benefits tile.
  • In the left menu, click Benefits Enrollment.

If your dependent children were covered under the University’s Group Term Life Plan (MetLife) and/or AD&D Plan (Reliance Standard) you will need to complete the appropriate forms to drop their coverage. Please visit the Benefits Forms section of this website and navigate to Insurance Forms.

Complete the MetLife and/or Reliance Standard forms and return them to the Benefits Services Department’s Campus Box—CB# 1045.

You may want to review your beneficiaries under your life insurance and retirement programs and make any necessary changes. Please review the Beneficiary Designations page for more information.
You may want to review you federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments. To make changes to your current tax withholdings complete updated W-4 (federal) and/or NC-4 (State) tax forms and send them to Payroll Services. View all Payroll Forms.

Death of a Dependent

The death of a dependent allows an employee to make appropriate changes to his or her benefits. An employee must remove dependents from benefits as appropriate and file a claim with the vendor. Please contact a Benefit Consultant to assist you with the claim filing process.

Employees must complete the change online to remove their dependent(s). All changes must be processed using the benefits enrollment system:

  • Log in to ConnectCarolina Self Service.
  • Click the My Benefits tile.
  • In the left menu, click Benefits Enrollment.
If your dependents were covered under the University’s Group Term Life Plan (MetLife) and/or AD&D Plan (Reliance Standard) you will need to complete the appropriate forms to drop their coverage. Please visit the Benefits Forms section of this website. Complete the MetLife and/or Reliance Standard forms and return them to the Benefits Services Department’s Campus Box—CB# 1045.
You may want to review your beneficiaries under your life insurance and retirement programs and make any necessary changes. Please review the Beneficiary Change Guide for instructions.
You may want to review you federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments. To make changes to your current tax withholdings complete updated W-4 (federal) and/or NC-4 (State) tax forms and send them to Payroll Services. Both the W-4 and NC-4 forms can be found on the Payroll Forms page.

How do I update my benefits information?

Update your name and address, designate your beneficiaries, upload documentation and take care of other benefits-related items in ConnectCarolina Service any time of year.
View step-by-instructions at the link below.

Who is my Benefits Consultant?

If you have questions about the benefits available to you as a Carolina staff or faculty member, the UNC Benefits Team is here to help! View the directory to the find the Benefits Consultant for your school/division.

Benefits Consultant Directory by School/Division