Expectant Parent Leave Resource Page

The addition of your new child is considered a qualified life event allowing a midyear change to your insurance enrollments. You are given a 30-day period of time, from the date of birth or once you have legal control of your adoptive or foster child's healthcare insurance, to add them to our insurance plans. Benefits are effective immediately from the date of birth, adoption, or foster placement. If you do not enroll the new child during this period, you will have to wait until the open enrollment period (November of each year) and coverage will then become effective on January 1st of the following calendar year.

Pepperdine’s health flexible spending accounts are administered by Chard Snyder. A health flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to spend tax-free money for eligible healthcare expenses.

The annual maximum pre-tax amount you may deduct from your pay in 2025 is $3,300. If you would like to enroll in a health FSA or change the amount deducted from your pay, you may do so during your new hire initial enrollment window or within 30 days of a qualifying life event. Benefits become effective the 1st of the month coinciding with or following the 30-day period.

Note: The IRS does not allow for a subscriber (primary enrollee) to contribute to a health FSA and a health savings account (HSA) in the same tax year. Please consult your tax advisor before making your eligible medical and contributory account (i.e. FSA and HSA) elections.

Chard Snyder also administers Pepperdine's dependent care flexible spending accounts. A dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to spend tax-free money for expenses related to the supervision of your tax-eligible dependent child(ren) and elder family member(s). The expenses must be incurred to allow you to work or to look for work. Please note that the annual maximum you can contribute, per household, in 2025, is $5,000. In 2026, the annual per-household maximum contribution is increased to $7,500.

Mid-year child care subsidy grant

A Mid-year Child Care Grant is available to assist eligible individuals who have gained an eligible dependent through birth, adoption, foster placement, legal guardianship, or court order with funds for the cost of child care. You have 30 days from the event date to apply for the Mid-year Child Care Subsidy Grant. Awards are provided as taxable income to you and will be reflected as a Dependent Care Credit on each paystub. Please review your eligibility and apply through this online application. A determination e-mail will be sent to your campus e-mail address within two weeks of your submission.

For more information on other available child care resources, please visit our Child Care Resources community page.

To assist you and your family as you embark on this new chapter of life, know that Pepperdine provides you with a confidential Employee Assistance Program through Health Advocate. They can answer questions and aid you may need, including:

• Child care services
• Balancing work and life
• Emotional well-being
• Nutrition resources
• Stress and anxiety
• Medical bills / claims resolution

In addition, you and your family are eligible for 10 free counseling sessions with a licensed clinical therapist who you can meet with virtually or in-person. Health Advocate is a 24/7 resource. Get started today by calling 866.799.2728 or by visiting myhealthadvocate.pepperdine.edu.