Employee insures spouse for life ins., divorce,then spouse dies six da

[Guest Maggie7]

The plan offers optional dependent life. The employee insures her spouse. After five years, they divorce. Employee leaves change in status for first of the year plan change, but files divorce papers with company in order to change her name. Spouse dies six days after the divorce is final. Is the employee entitled to the death benefit? Both events occurred in the same month.

[imchipbrown]

Who's the named beneficiary of the life policy?

[KIP KRAUS]

If the policy is a typical group term dependent policy covering the the employee's legal spouse I doubt that the insurer is going to pay a death benefit, regardless whether or not the death happend in the same month as the divorce. In fact,I'm almost positive they will not pay a death benefit.

[GBurns]

Even in a "typical group term dependent policy" (whatever that is)the acceptable beneficiaries are either 1)the estate or 2) a NAMED beneficiary. I have never seen nor have I been able to find a company or State that allows a beneficiary by occupation or title etc. If the employee is the named beneficiary he will get paid, divorced or not.Ask any Dept of Ins or any agent.