Retired Member Dependent Benefits
Eligible Dependents
Family members eligible for benefits under the member are:
- dependent children up to the age of 19
- dependent children enrolled in a degree granting program fulltime until the age of 23
- legally adopted children (adoption papers required)
- children for whom the member is legal guardian (legal guardianship papers required)
- mentally handicapped children determined to be handicapped before the age of 19
- spouse
- domestic partner (domestic partnership papers required)
Step children are not offered benefits unless the member has legally adopted or established legal guardianship.
Dependent Students
Student proof is required each semester once the dependent child turns 19. Acceptable proof is a letter from either the Bursar's or Registrar's Office stating full time student status, or a bill outlining a full time course load. Proof for the spring semester is valid from February 1st to August 31st and proof from the fall semester if valid from September 1st to January 31st.
The SOC cannot extend prescription benefits to dependent children. The SOC does NOT offer any prescription riders for purchase. If the member wants to purchase a prescription rider he/she can contact the Employee Health Benefits Office (212-513-0470) to inquire if a prescription rider is available through his/her health plan. GHI does not offer presciption riders.
Orthodontia is not offered to retirees or their children. If a member retires during a course of orthodontic treatment, the member is responsible in full for the remainder of the treatment.
Adding a Dependent
To add a spouse or domestic partner, the member may drop off, mail, or fax (212-406-3105) a marriage certificate or domestic partnership papers.
To add a child, the member may drop off, mail, or fax a birth certificate, or paper work proving legal adoption or guardianship.