Benefit Changes
As your life changes, so do your benefit needs. In general, the only time you can enroll in or change your benefits is Annual Enrollment. Mid-year changes are allowed only if you experience a qualifying life event and make a new election within 31 calendar days.
About mid-year benefit changes
Your new election must be consistent with the life event. Coverage will be effective as of the date of the event. Be sure to initiate the life event immediately on Workday since you only have 31 calendar days from the date of the event to change, add or cancel coverage. You may need supporting documentation, but it is not needed when you first initiate the life event.
Below is a high-level overview of benefit changes that may be allowed.
Before you initiate a change to your benefits based on a qualified life event, review the 2021 Premiums.
| Qualifying Life Event | Go to Workday Within 31 Days to Initiate Event |
|---|---|
Birth/Adoption | Having a new baby or finalizing an adoption with the court |
Acquired Guardianship | Acquiring legal guardianship of a child |
Death of Dependent/Child | The death of your child, legal dependent, or stepchild |
Death of Spouse | The death of your spouse or domestic partner |
Divorce/Legal Separation | Your legal divorce date or legal separation date |
Marriage | Your marriage date |
Gain of Dependent/Child Eligibility | Your child becoming newly eligible for benefits coverage through another employer or State |
Loss of Dependent/Child Eligibility | Your child involuntarily losing other benefits coverage from another employer or State |
Gain of Spouse Benefits/Eligibility | Your spouse or domestic partner becoming newly eligible for benefits coverage through another employer or State |
Loss of Spouse Benefits/Eligibility | Your spouse or domestic partner involuntarily losing other benefits coverage from another employer or State |
Start of Domestic Partnership | Meeting the requirements to qualify as a domestic partner |
Loss of Domestic Partnership | No longer meeting the requirements to qualify as a domestic partner
|
Other life events
| Call the Human Resources Centre (HRC) at 1-888-927-7700 |
Note: In 2021, you can make changes to your Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA), Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) contributions without a corresponding qualified life event. Learn more | |
Initiate a benefits change
Here’s how you can make qualified benefit changes during the year:
- Go to Workday, click My Benefits & Retirement application
- Select your network status (on or off the BMO network)
- Click Log your Life event tile
You may need to provide documentation to validate your qualifying life event.
Update your beneficiary
Designating beneficiaries to inherit the assets from your life insurance and retirement savings is a smart way to ensure your loved ones are financially protected.
You can update your beneficiary at any time.
Need assistance?
Call the Human Resources Centre
1-888-927-7700
Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT