Required Life Event Changes

[MD-Benefits Guy]

I know that the law allows for several life status changes to open the door for Sect. 125 mid year changes, but I am curious to know what, if any changes are required under a plan. Could an employer effectively write a plan document that does not allow any mid-year elections? Not saying that this is ideal, nor am I trying to do it.....just that I've seen variation in plans where some allow certain events to trigger a permissible mid-year change, while the same events under another plan does not.

[QDROphile]

The plan is not required to allow what the law allows as exceptions to the irrevocable election requirement with respect to the section 125 aspect. Certain changes must be allowed to underlying health covereage under certain circumstances.

[Guest morris]

Limiting what the law will allow cuts down on phone calls, e-mails, and visits to the HR office. Larger employers are prone to do this.