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LifeEvents
Adoption/Guardianship of Dependent Child

Adopting a child is a joyful event in one's life. As a guardian you become the primary person responsible for the child's needs and progress in life. Obviously you will be considering the child in this process, but you must also consider yourself, other family members, and the family environment. A review of your benefit plans is certainly in order at this time.

Forms:

Additional Information:

Health SPD

DB Pension SPD/Plan Document

Can I Ever Lose My Pension Credits?

Planning Notes:

Financial planners recommend that whenever there is an addition to your family you should update a number of personal plans and documents. Here is a checklist of some items which you may need to update, revise, or consider:

Benefit Plan Checklist Items regarding the Health Plans apply only to participants in the Southern California IBEW-NECA Health Plans. However, if you participate in another electrician health plan, it is likely that similar considerations will apply.
	As required by law, an eligible dependent will include a child under age 18, when placed with an Employee for adoption. When a child reaches his 19th birthday and continues to be unmarried and dependent upon the Employee, he will continue to be covered for hospital/medical, dental, prescription drug, and vision benefits through age 24 if he/she is attending an accredited school on a full-time basis (8 or more units). Legal guardianship will qualify a child for coverage under the Self-Funded Hospital/Medical Indemnity Plan. An eligible dependent includes any stepchild of the Employee who depends upon the Employee for support and lives with the Employee in a regular parent-child relationship and is claimed as a dependent on the Employee's income tax return. Refer to individual HMO definitions of dependent.
	You may want to review your designation of beneficiary for the Life Insurance Death Benefit and the DB and DC Pension Plans.
	Review the rules for coordination of benefits. Coordination of benefits rules govern who will have the primary coverage for your child if both you and your spouse have group health coverage.
	If you think you might be taking Family/Maternity/Paternity Leave you should take a look at the Family and Medical Leave Act information in the Active Health SPD to see how your benefits may be affected. The Family/Maternity/Paternity Leave also affects DB grace periods - see SPD link for more information.

External Related Links:
(These are listed for your convenience. The sites and the contents of the sites are not sponsored or endorsed by your benefit plans. Use them at your own risk.)

Unique Families: Adoption and Special Needs - Support for parents of children with special needs or children who are adopted. Mailing lists, articles by parents and professionals, resources.
Adoptive Parents - Comprehensive About.com links compiled by Nancy Stanfield.
International Adoption - Information and online publications provided by US State Department.
California Kids Connection - California Kids Connection is the online, searchable database listing children in California who are available for adoption.
Children and Family Services - Provides information on adoption in California, frequently asked questions, a directory of licensed California adoption agencies and more.