Adobe understands that this is a difficult time, but we are here to help and make the next steps as easy as possible for you. It’s important to contact your manager and Employee Experience at erc@adobe.com for assistance right away. Employee Experience and our partner, TenCode Benefits (formerly Survivor Outreach Services), will help you or your loved ones with next steps and provide support after a death, including filing for any survivor benefits. There are also additional resources through the EAP to help you at your time of loss.
Below you’ll find information about how you can use your benefits during this period. Note: The information is applicable only if you and your dependent are covered and are valid beneficiaries for the respective program.
Health and welfare plans
| Adobe benefit | What you need to know and do if you’re an employee | What you need to know and do if you’re a covered dependent/ beneficiary of a current employee |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, dental & vision | If a covered dependent dies, you can adjust your coverage levels within 31 days of the loss. If your spouse/domestic partner dies, and you were covered under his or her plan, you’re eligible to enroll yourself and any eligible dependents in an Adobe plan. To enroll in a new plan or adjust coverage levels, go to the Adobe benefits enrollment site. | You will continue to receive Adobe benefits from the date of the employee’s death through the last day of the month following three months—i.e., if an employee dies on Feb. 6, your Adobe coverage lasts through May 31. You may then continue your coverage through COBRA. Please note: Due to state insurance regulations, if the employee was based in Hawaii, your active coverage will end at the end of the month following the employee's death, and Adobe will cover the cost of three months of COBRA. You will receive an enrollment package from bswift to continue health and welfare benefits through COBRA. You may also go to the Adobe benefits enrollment site or call 855-898-4218 to initiate COBRA to continue your health and welfare benefits. |
| Health Savings Account (HSA) | Review your contributions to the HSA and make any adjustments, as your IRS contributions limits may have changed. Update your beneficiary information. To enroll in a new plan or adjust coverage levels, go to the Adobe benefits enrollment site. | If you are the beneficiary or person handling the estate or trust, contact HealthEquity Member Services (877-713-7680/ memberservices @healthequity.com) for information and assistance on the disposition of remaining assets. |
| Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) | If a family member dies, you can enroll in, adjust or end any FSA contributions. To enroll in a new plan or adjust coverage levels, go to the Adobe benefits enrollment site. | You can file for reimbursements for any eligible expenses that you and the employee incurred before death. To file for reimbursement, go to tri-ad.com (SSO), or call 855-482-3623. |
| Life insurance | If a covered dependent on your dependent life insurance plan dies, submit a request via the Support Center or call ext. 6-HELP and ask to speak to a team member to initiate your life insurance claim. To start the process, you will be referred to TenCode Benefits (formerly Survivor Outreach Services) and a dedicated counselor will work with you to submit claims. | Contact the Employee Experience Team by email at erc@adobe.com or call 408-536-4357 to speak to a team member in person. To start the process, you will be referred to TenCode Benefits (formerly Survivor Outreach Services) and their team of dedicated counselors will collect any required documents and submit claims on your behalf to Lincoln Financial. |
Financial benefits
| Adobe benefit | What you need to know and do if you’re an employee | What you need to know and do if you’re a covered dependent/ beneficiary of a current employee |
|---|---|---|
| 401(k) plan | Review your beneficiary designations and make changes, if applicable. Federal law requires that you name your spouse as the sole beneficiary of your 401(k) plan, unless you obtain his or her written, notarized consent. To make changes to your 401(k) plan beneficiary designation, go to Vanguard or call 800-523-1188. | You have four options regarding an employee’s funds in Adobe’s 401(k) retirement plan:
If you would like to submit a claim, contact Employee Experience. You’re required to submit the following documentation if you are a:
|
| ESPP & equity | If a dependent dies, review your E*TRADE account beneficiary designations and make changes, if applicable. To make changes to your beneficiary designation, visit etrade.com or call E*TRADE at 800-838-0908. | There may be employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) shares or other Adobe equity-related assets held at E*TRADE, which may be transferable to a beneficiary, trust or estate. Contact E*TRADE Beneficiary Services at 888-402-0653. You will be required to complete an E*TRADE Estate Account Application Form and submit an original death certificate. |
| Financial wellness coaching | Take advantage of financial wellness coaching to help you get a handle on your financial life after a death in the family. | Once the three-month benefit continuation period for survivors has elapsed, family members can continue working with an MSA Money Coach through a self-pay option. Learn more about the MSA self-pay option [PDF]. |
If you are the beneficiary of a deceased employee, we encourage you to seek advice from an independent legal or financial firm.
Disbursements of proceeds such as stock, insurance, salary and bank deposits can be complicated depending on the location/country where the beneficiary resides. These outside experts can help guide you in terms of administration and next steps (i.e., designating a fiduciary, understanding local tax laws and timing of the end-to-end process).
Payroll
| Adobe benefit | What you need to know and do if you’re an employee | What you need to know and do if you’re a covered dependent/ beneficiary of a current employee |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll | Make any necessary changes to your W-4 income tax withholding through the Payroll website. | Any earned but unpaid compensation will be payable to the estate. A check will be made payable to your loved one’s trust or estate. You must complete a W-9 tax form with estate information and provide an original death certificate. |
Other benefits
| Adobe benefit | What you need to know and do if you’re an employee | What you need to know and do if you’re a covered dependent/ beneficiary of a current employee |
|---|---|---|
| Time off | Adobe offers 20 days of paid bereavement time following the death of an immediate family member. Talk with your manager to schedule the time you need if a family member dies. | Any accrued but unused PTO (non-exempt employees) or sabbatical time will be paid out to the estate. Employee Experience will initiate the process of paying out any accrued but unused time. A check will be made payable to your loved one’s trust or estate. You must complete a W-9 tax form with estate information and provide an original death certificate. |
| 529 education savings plan | If a dependent dies, you can close the account or change the beneficiary on the account. You can also increase contributions to another account. To make any changes or close your account, go to vanguard.com/adobe529 or go to your plan’s website if your plan is not through Vanguard. | Contact Vanguard at 866-734-4530 for information and options or contact your plan administrator if your plan is not through Vanguard. |
| TenCode Benefits (formerly Survivor Outreach Services) | Following the death of a dependent or immediate family member, TenCode Benefits provides concierge services and support in a difficult time. A dedicated counselor will help you navigate benefit claims, notify credit agencies, file for Social Security benefits, provide template letters and more. Please submit a request via the Support Center for a referral to TenCode Benefits or for more information. | Contact the Adobe Employee Experience team at erc@adobe.com for assistance. You’ll be referred to a dedicated counselor at TenCode Benefits for support and assistance with filing for benefits you may be eligible for. You’ll also receive a packet of helpful information and instructions on next steps related to your benefits with Adobe. |
| Group legal plan | If you are enrolled in the MetLife group legal plan and want to update your estate plan due to a death in your family, Adobe's group legal benefit provides direct access to attorneys. Contact MetLife or by calling 800-621-6400. You may enroll in or waive group legal coverage when you experience the death of a spouse/domestic partner or dependent child. | If the employee was enrolled in the MetLife group legal plan, you have access to this service through the end of the month in which the death occurs. Contact MetLife or by calling 800-621-6400. |