Question
What is the name of your state?wisconsin
Hello, I am caught in a catch 22 and need some advice. I was living with a woman and we had kids together but never married. This was back before the computer age, and when I got insurance through the union she signed on as the MRS. and it was never questioned. The union is also the provider of the insurance.
Here is the problem, I am ready to retire and I haven't been with this women for more than 10 years. The retirement papers request a divorce decree or death certificate. We were never married, but if I present this, then it is looking like they may have grounds for some kind of insurance fraud since she was using the insurance as my wife. I am sure the union will catch this.
My question is, is there some kind of statute of limitations on how far back they can go for this? My only other option is to wait until she dies, but my luck she will live to 100! LOL
Answer
Fraud was commited as your paperwork was filled out that she was your wife and she was not. You're not going to get an easy way out here.
All those years of your company paying more premium than necessary isnot going to sit well with someone in finance, I am sure.
It probably was never questioned, (you appeared to be a family to them, what with 2 kids and all) - because I have never heard an employer or insurance carrier asking for your marriage certificate, although the more I read on these posts of this sort of question, the more it sounds like it should be a requirement!
Answer
Many carriers (and employers) are now auditing their plans to determine how many "phantom" dependents are really out there. Some of this is (presumably) a result of the Working Families Tax Relief Act, some is just good business practice.
Auditing 20 years or so of premium/claim history probably wont be done, unless there was a sizeable claim paid during the years in question.
The OP needs to consult an attorney before proceeding.