Surviving Spouse Benefits
Understanding Available Benefits
Benefits available to you as the surviving spouse are determined by the benefits the retiree is enrolled in when they pass. The two main categories of benefits available are dental and medical.
Dental Benefits
Baylor University offers a Cigna DPPO plan to retirees. Survivng spouses are eligible to continue with this plan if they are enrolled at the time of the retiree's death. For example, if the retiree was enrolled in the dental plan for retiree and spouse, the spouse is still offered the benefit of the dental plan. You can read more about the dental benefit plan here.
Medical Benefits
- Pre age 65 retirees
A surviving spouse of a pre-age 65 retiree may continue to participate in the retiree Via Benefits medical program. The Baylor Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) annual subsidy administered by Via Benefits for a surviving spouse is $2,640. Additionally, the surviving spouse will be able to continue receiving benefits from retirees who were receiving medical benefits through Via Benefits.
- Post age 65 retirees
A surviving spouse of a post-age 65 retiree may continue to participate in the retiree Via Benefits medical program. The Baylor Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) annual subsidy administered by Via Benefits for a surviving spouse is $2,640.
You can read the retiree insurance details here.
Other Benefits
Retiree Advantages
Baylor offers some advantages to you as the surviving spouse of a retiree. You will receive an ID card that identifies you as auxiliary personnel. This card allows you access to the Student Life Center (SLC), recreation facilities, library checkout, faculty dining at the McMullen-Connally Faculty Center, a 10% discount at the bookstore, entry and discounted tickets to athletic events, a parking permit, active BearID number, and an active BEAR email.
You can read more about Retiree Advantages here.
Retirement Income Plan
In most cases, surviving spouses will contact TIAA directly to coordinate the beneficiary assignment of retirement assets. The toll-free number for TIAA is 800.842.2776.
A limited number of retirees may have assets in either the 403(b) Plan or in the 457(b) Plan at GuideStone Financial Resources, SBC. Surviving spouses of these retirees will contact GuideStone directly to coordinate the beneficiary assignment of those assets. The toll-free number for GuideStone is 888.984.8433.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
For eligible retirees who were receiving funding into their HRA at their time of passing, Baylor will continue to contribute $2,640 annually for the surviving spouse's eligible medical expenses.
You can read more about the HRA here.
Tuition Remission
As the surviving spouse, you may continue to use the tuition remission benefit to complete courses that you are currently enrolled in at the time of passing. After you complete the courses that you were enrolled in at the time passing, the tuition remission benefit is no longer available.
You can read more about tuition remission here.
Questions?
If you have questions about any Baylor Surviving Spouse Benefits, please email askHR@baylor.edu or call 254.710.2000.
