Other Benefits Q&A

Source: SkyNet (United's Intranet)

What non-travel benefits is my domestic partner eligible for?

If your domestic partner and you are of the same sex, he/she is eligible for medical and dental benefits as well as life insurance and personal accident insurance. Note to employees who are eligible for contributory dependent life insurance coverage - Upon notice of your Family Status Change, MetLife will enroll your same-sex domestic partner for that coverage. If you do not wish to enroll your same-sex domestic partner in the coverage, you must notify MetLife in writing that you wish to change/waive the coverage. Depending on your elections for pension pre-retirement survivor benefits, your domestic partner might be eligible for these benefits also. If you and your domestic partner are of the opposite-sex, besides travel, your domestic partner is eligible for bereavement leave.

My domestic partner does not want medical coverage now, but may want the benefit later. Can I enroll him/her later?

Yes. However, if you do not enroll your qualified domestic partner within 30 days of the date you register your domestic partnership, or formally declare your relationship by signing the Affidavit, then you will have to wait to do so until the next regular benefits open enrollment period.

I enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account. Will I be able to submit my domestic partner claims on my account?

No. IRS rules govern both Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. At this time, the Internal Revenue Code does not recognize a domestic partner as an eligible dependent. Consequently, domestic partner expenses are not eligible for reimbursement by either Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. If children of a qualified domestic partner meet the eligibility requirements to qualify as your dependents, then your expenses attributable to their Health Care and Dependent Care may be covered by the Flexible Spending Program.

Can my domestic partner enroll in my HMO?

Yes, you may enroll your partner in your HMO as long as your HMO offers domestic partner benefits. You may contact the HMO directly for information or call the For more Information contact: United Benefits Service Center at 1-888-825-0188. You and your partner must be enrolled in the same medical plan. If you are in one of the small number of HMOs that does not accept domestic partners, you may change to United's Traditional Medical Coverage or to another HMO for which you are eligible if there is no payroll deduction for the HMO. A list of those HMOs not offering domestic partner benefits may be found on the SkyNet site, or you may call the Benefits Service Center. Please remember, if you currently have a domestic partner, you must enroll for medical and dental coverage by May 31, 2000, or wait until the next annual open enrollment period.

Is my qualified domestic partner eligible for pre-retirement survivor coverage under the pension plan?

If you and your qualified domestic partner are of the same sex, your domestic partner is eligible for the same pre-retirement survivor benefits that are offered to a spouse under the pension plan, but only if you elect this coverage. The pre-retirement death benefit feature provides your partner with a pension benefit in the event that you die prior to retirement. If you elect this coverage, the amount of pension benefit that you receive is reduced, as is the case for employees electing the benefit for their spouse. Information about this pre-retirement survivor benefit will be sent to you automatically if you notify United Airlines that you have a qualified same-sex domestic partner.

When I retire, will my domestic partner continue to be eligible for benefits? Will I need to make any changes to my retirement benefits for my domestic partner?

Your domestic partner will be eligible for retirement benefits depending on the decisions you make regarding your retirement benefits at the time you retire. Whether you retire early or wait until your normal Social Security Retirement age, you will need to make the same health coverage and pension decisions as an employee would make for a spouse.

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