US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

29 U.S.C. § 1163

Qualifying event

For purposes of this part, the term “qualifying event” means, with respect to any covered employee, any of the following events which, but for the continuation coverage required under this part, would result in the loss of coverage of a qualified beneficiary:
(1)
The death of the covered employee.
(2)
The termination (other than by reason of such employee’s gross misconduct), or reduction of hours, of the covered employee’s employment.
(3)
The divorce or legal separation of the covered employee from the employee’s spouse.
(4)
42 U.S.C. 1395 The covered employee becoming entitled to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act [ et seq.].
(5)
A dependent child ceasing to be a dependent child under the generally applicable requirements of the plan.
(6)
A proceeding in a case under title 11, commencing on or after , with respect to the employer from whose employment the covered employee retired at any time.
section 1167(3)(C) of this titleIn the case of an event described in paragraph (6), a loss of coverage includes a substantial elimination of coverage with respect to a qualified beneficiary described in within one year before or after the date of commencement of the proceeding.

Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 603Pub. L. 99–272, title X, § 10002(a)100 Stat. 229Pub. L. 99–509, title IX, § 9501(a)(2)100 Stat. 2076(, as added , , ; amended , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 53149 Stat. 620section 1305 of Title 42The Social Security Act, referred to in par. (4), is , . Title XVIII of the Social Security Act is classified generally to subchapter XVIII (§ 1395 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Amendments

Pub. L. 99–5091986— added par. (6) and last sentence.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–509Pub. L. 99–272section 9501(e) of Pub. L. 99–509section 162 of Title 26Amendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in title X of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, , see , set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.