Divorce or Ending A Domestic Partnership
Review your Pfizer benefits coverage and notify the following resources of any changes:
- Pfizer Health & Insurance Benefits — Contact the Pfizer Benefits Center at 1-866-476-8723 (follow the prompts for Benefits at Fidelity)
- Pfizer Benefit Extras Program — Contact Pfizer Benefits Extras at 1-888-926-2525
You will need to remove your spouse/partner and/or stepchildren from your coverage (if applicable) and review coverage for yourself and your eligible dependent children within 31 days of your divorce or termination of domestic partnership. Note: coverage will not automatically end — your action is required.
Your responsibility to Report Changes to your Covered Dependents
As a reminder, failure to report any changes to your covered dependents may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Additionally, you will be responsible for repaying any health and insurance claims paid from the effective date of the eligibility status change.
Actions to take within 31 days of divorce/termination of partnership
- Remove your spouse/partner from coverage
- If you have children, review their coverage. Remove any children who no longer meet Pfizer’s eligibility requirements (e.g., stepchildren or children of your former domestic partner)
- Review your own coverage
Spouse/Domestic Partner Changes: What You Need to Know
Medical, Dental and Vision: Generally, coverage for your former spouse or partner ends as of the date of the event (the date of the divorce or termination of the partnership); certain benefits may be continued but must be paid for directly by your former spouse or partner.
Some divorce decrees require continuing health coverage for a former spouse; however Pfizer benefits plans do not recognize a former spouse as an eligible dependent. If you agree to providing health coverage as part of your divorce decree, you will need to provide coverage using a provider outside of the Pfizer benefits plans or you may be able to pay for Pfizer COBRA coverage.
COBRA Coverage for Your Former Spouse, Domestic Partner or Children: If you report the event (e.g. divorce) to the Pfizer Benefits Center within 60 days of the event date, your dependents losing coverage may be eligible for COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) continuation. If eligible, they will be offered the right to continue the health coverage they are enrolled in directly through COBRA. They will have up to 60 days from the date coverage ends (or the date an election notice is received, if later) to elect COBRA continuation of health coverage for medical, dental and/or vision, provided they are enrolled in that coverage). If elected, COBRA coverage is effective the date of the qualified event.
Your affected dependent must call the Pfizer Benefits Center directly at 1-866-476-8723 (and follow the prompts for Benefits at Fidelity) within 60 days of the divorce or termination of domestic partnership in order to elect COBRA for themselves as well as any affected dependent children. Review your Summary Plan Description (SPD) on netbenefits.com or COBRA notice for more information.
Dependent Life and/or Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: Coverage ends on the event date. If enrolled, your dependents losing coverage, if applicable, will receive information about converting their dependent life insurance coverage. Conversion coverage must be elected, and the first premium paid, within the later of 31 days after they cease to be eligible for coverage or 15 days after being given written notice of coverage ending (but no later than the 92nd day after they cease to be insured).
Benefit Extras: If you cover your former spouse/partner or children under your voluntary benefit plans including Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance as well as the Legal Plan, you’ll need to call Pfizer Benefit Extras at 1-888-926-2525 to determine if they are eligible to continue any of these coverages on a direct bill basis.
Dependent Child(ren) Changes: What You Need to Know
Continuing Coverage: You may continue to cover your dependent children under Pfizer’s benefits provided they continue to meet Pfizer’s eligibility requirements. If you do not provide proof of eligibility when requested, your dependent(s) will lose coverage. Colleagues found to be covering ineligible dependents may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
If you do not request benefit coverage changes for your dependent child(ren) within 31 days, you will need to wait until the next fall Annual Enrollment period to request a change.
Adding Coverage: If your former spouse or partner covered your children and your children are now losing that coverage as a result of the divorce or termination of the partnership, this is considered to be a separate qualified life event. You will have 31 days from the date of the event to add them to your Pfizer benefits coverage, provided they otherwise meet Pfizer’s dependent eligibility requirements. To enroll your dependents, contact the Pfizer Benefits Center for health and insurance benefits and Benefit Extras for voluntary benefits.
Dropping Coverage: You may only continue or add coverage for dependent children who continue to meet Pfizer’s eligibility requirements. You must drop coverage for any child who will no longer meet Pfizer’s eligibility requirements (e.g., stepchild or child of your domestic partner). If your former spouse or partner will be continuing coverage for dependent children who continue to meet Pfizer’s eligibility requirements or he or she is eligible for their own coverage, you may also drop coverage under Pfizer’s benefit plans as outlined earlier.
Your Changes: What You Need to Know
You may also be able to make changes to your own benefits coverage within that same 31-day qualified life event period, such as enrolling in or increasing your Dependent Care Account election to help with adult or childcare expenses.
Review Your Pfizer 401(k) Savings Plan and Financial Goals
Now is a good time to review your Savings Plan contributions, investment options and ensure your financial goals are on track. You can also access no cost financial education support. Learn more by visiting the Savings Plan and Financial Education pages.
Update Your Beneficiary Designations
A divorce or termination of domestic partnership does not automatically change your elected Beneficiary Designations. Ensure that your benefits and any other personal investments are paid out based on your preference:
- Insurance and/or 401(k) Savings Plan: visit netbenefits.com > Profile > Beneficiaries.
- Health Savings Account: visit HealthEquity.com > Manage Account > Beneficiaries.
- Pension Plan: call the Pfizer Benefits Center at 1-866-476-8723 and follow the prompts for Retirement. A representative can help you review any beneficiary elections you may have on file and assist with any necessary changes. Note: certain restrictions for beneficiary designations may apply depending on legacy plan provisions.
Review Your Personal and Payroll Information
It’s important to review your Pfizer payroll tax withholdings and emergency contact information in Workday.
- Payroll and tax information: visit Fuse and click Access My Pay. Consult with a tax advisor to determine how you may be affected by a divorce or the end of a partnership.
- Personal information: visit Fuse and click Access Workday, view your Profile and update your Personal information, Marital Status and Contacts.
Create or Update Your Will
When your marital status changes or a partner relationship ends, it’s an opportunity to plan for the unexpected to ensure you and your loved ones are protected. If you are enrolled in Legal Services through Pfizer Benefit Extras, you have coverage for legal services to create or update wills, power of attorney or other important legal documents. If you are not enrolled in this benefit, you will need to wait until the next Annual Enrollment period to enroll.
Consider Emotional Support
There are a variety of support programs available to you and your family including confidential mental health services through the Healthy Pfizer Living Program (use company code, Pfizer) which includes up to 8 sessions at no cost. Review the mental health resources available to help you and your loved ones.
