Dependents Information

New Employee Benefit Enrollment

Teachers College, Columbia University is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package that meets the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits contribute significantly to the total compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, and supplemental insurance plans; flexible and hybrid work schedules; tuition remission; life insurance; short and long-term disability insurance; an exceptional employer retirement matching program; health savings accounts (HSA), flexible spending accounts (FSA), Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Coverage Effective Date

New hires are eligible for benefits beginning the first of the month following 30 days of employment with the College. i.e. if an employee's start date is September 8, they become benefits-eligible on November 1.

Enrollment Deadline

New employees have 30 days after the date of hire to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents in the TC Benefits Program including health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, and supplemental life insurance. 

If you do not enroll during this 30-day period, you and your eligible dependents will forfeit coverage until TC's next open enrollment period.

Who Can Be Covered

A new hire who elects coverage, your dependents are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage. 

Eligible dependents include:

• Your legally married spouse as defined under Federal law (domestic partners are not eligible.)
• Your mentally or physically disabled adult dependent children who lives with you and who are primarily dependent on you for support (you must provide appropriate documentation)
• Your dependent children up to the age listed below:
• Medical: up to age 26 (through the end of year of birth date)
• Dental: up to age 23 or age 25, if FT student (through the end of month of birth date)
• Vision: up to age 19 or age 24, if FT student (through the end of month of birth date)
• If you have a disabled child that depends on you primarily for support and requires medical coverage

Dependent Verification of Eligibility

Dependent documentation is required for newly added dependents when you first enroll or if you experience a qualified IRS life event during the plan year. You are required to provide documentation substantiating the eligibility of your dependent(s) within 30 days of enrollment. The following documents are acceptable:

• Spouse – marriage certificate 
• Child under age 26 – birth certificate, adoption papers, or a court document awarding custody or requiring coverage
• Dependent child over age 26 – birth certificate along with one of the following documents: a Social Security Disability Award, letter from a physician certifying disability prior to age 19, or parent’s (current or previous year only) tax return claiming the child as a dependent.

All documentation must be submitted within 30 days of enrollment. 

Disclaimer:

The information contained on the website is subject to change without notice and is not intended to replace any plan documents, nor is the information in any way intended to imply a contract.