Steps To Take When Growing Your Family
Whether you’re adding a child through birth, adoption, or surrogacy, there are lots of things to think about—including taking time off and adding your child to your K-C benefits. A new addition is a qualifying change in status, so you’ll have the opportunity to change your current elections in several plans.
Maternity Overview & FAQs
If you're planning your maternity leave, read the Maternity Overview for a quick checklist of maternity leave action steps and a brief overview of the benefits K-C provides to expecting moms.
For more detailed information, access the Maternity/Paternity FAQs.
Time Away from Work
Disability Leave
For birth mothers, you receive paid time off and wage replacement following childbirth as part of your Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits administered by Reliance Matrix (Matrix). Matrix will work with your provider to determine the approved length of your STD benefit with additional time given in cases of complications. To learn more about STD, view the disability page.
Parental Leave
Bonding with your new child is your first priority after you welcome him or her into your life and we’re proud to offer a generous parental leave benefit to let you do just that. All new eligible parents—including birth, adoption, or surrogacy—can take 8 calendar weeks of paid parental leave. For birth mothers, this is in addition to STD for your recovery from childbirth.
To learn more about parental leave, view the Other Time Off page for additional information including how to initiate your parental leave and the timing requirements.
Update Benefit Elections
In the First 30 Days...
Enroll Your Child in K-C Benefits
Different benefit plans handle the addition of your new child in different ways—so read the relevant Summary Plan Descriptions (on K-C Benefit Compass > Plan Information > Summary Plan Descriptions and Policy Booklets), and make sure you understand the important timelines and eligibility rules.
Update Your Beneficiaries and Your Tax Withholding
They’re easy steps to forget, but you need to name your new addition as a beneficiary in several of your benefit plans (including K-C’s income protection benefits) if you want them named as your beneficiary. You may want to talk to a financial planner or legal resource to determine the best way to protect your family in the event of your death.
If you want a different amount withheld from your paycheck for tax purposes because of your growing family, update your withholding on the UKG Pro portal, and select Income Tax from the main menu.
Nursing Mothers
If you're planning to nurse after the arrival of your little one, the following resources are available from K-C as additional support.
Breast Pumps Coverage: If enrolled in an Anthem medical plan option, you can select an eligible breast pump at no cost to you. Order your breast pump through one of the following Anthem suppliers: Byram, EdgeParks, or MedLine Industries.
Breast Milk Shipping: You have access to Maven Milk to help you transition back to work and get breast milk home to baby—easily, reliably, and safely. Maven Milk offers simple breast milk shipping and convenient domestic and international travel kits for every type of travel. Click here to learn more about Maven Milk or go directly to Maven's website.
Nursing Mothers Rooms: Talk to your Team Leader for information on how to use your site's nursing mothers/wellness room. If special badge access is required, try to request access before going on maternity leave so it's ready for your return to work.
…And Further Down the Road
Have Your Retirement Plans Changed?
Don’t forget to think about any impact your new child will have on your retirement plans. Do you have a spouse contributing to their own retirement nest egg, or do you need to increase your savings? Fidelity offers financial planning assistance at no cost to you!
