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LifeEvents
Marriage

So, you're getting married? Congratulations! However, take note: entering the married state has legal and financial implications for your health and pension benefits. It is important to review and address these benefit plan issues early on. We present here a summary of the Health and Pension issues you need to understand to get a good start in your new life (so that you can get back to more important things, like fighting with the caterer).

Forms:

Additional Information:

Health SPD

DB Pension SPD/Plan Document

Planning Notes:

Financial planners recommend that recently married and those planning to get married 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.
	You must complete a new Family Account Change Form and Beneficiary Designation and include a copy of your marriage certificate. This must be done as soon as possible after the marriage in order to ensure Health coverage for your new spouse.
	For the Active Health Plan's Life Insurance benefit, your new spouse also automatically becomes your beneficiary. However, you should complete a new Beneficiary Designation form for Life Insurance (Active) and Death Benefits for the Retiree, DB and DC Plans.
	Review the rules for coordination of benefits. Coordination of benefits rules govern how each plan will pay for health care claims if both spouses have group health insurance.
	Review the rules for pre-retirement death benefits under the Pension Trust. You should be aware that the rules for married persons are different from those for single persons.

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.)

Nolo Marriage - Good FAQ list dealing with many of the surrounding legal issues, procedures, & processes about marriage. Topics include records, change of name, marriage license, etc.
4marriage.com - Variety of resources. This website offers advice on every stage of the relationship from how to strengthen the relationship and how to court to buying a home and starting a family. There is even a "marriage toolbox." Also included are links to other related 4anything.com sites.
couples-place.com - Quizzes, articles, e-mail courses, stories, and forums about marriage. Site created by a psychotherapist in private practice.
Marriage at About.com - Useful links, and weekly feature articles on making your marriage the best it can be. Chat room and bulletin board also onsite. From About.com.
bridalplanner.com - Thorough website offers a lot of great free information to help plan the perfect wedding. Complete with its own online store there is also a list of useful worksheets, tips on good planning books, stories, and forums. Great tips for photography, cakes, showers, and more.
California Marriage Information - This web page will give you general information regarding the requirements for the issuance and registration of public and confidential marriage licenses in California, as well as answer many frequently asked questions regarding the laws pertaining to marriage licenses and ceremonies in California.