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Policy/Memo 46r1

Number: Policy Memo 46r1
Date Issued: January 2, 1991
Date Revised: January 23, 2017
Subject: Dependent Survivor Eligibility

PURPOSE:

Determine whether a dependent survivor is eligible to add a dependent to NYSHIP coverage.

BACKGROUND

Section 165-a of Civil Service Law authorizes the Department of Civil Service to allow NYSHIP dependents to “continue under the coverage” in which the employee or retiree had been enrolled. As a result, only dependents enrolled in NYSHIP at the time of the enrollee’s death may enroll in dependent survivor coverage.

However, a dependent survivor gave birth to a child and requested to add that child, as a dependent survivor, to NYSHIP coverage.

POLICY

Only dependents covered by the enrollee at the time of death are eligible for dependent survivor coverage.

The only exception to this rule is newborn children of the enrollee born after the enrollee’s death. Such newborn children are eligible for NYSHIP dependent survivor coverage.