Source data
Standard federal COBRA notice and premium deadlines
Sources checked
- Notify the planThe employer usually reports the job-related qualifying event. A beneficiary may have to report other qualifying events.
- Receive the election noticeCheck when job-based coverage ends and when the plan sent or provided the election notice.
- Elect by the later-date ruleThe federal election period lasts at least 60 days from the later of loss of coverage or notice.
- Pay the first premiumThe first payment cannot be due earlier than 45 days after the election.
- Track later premiumsThe plan sets later due dates, subject to at least a 30-day grace period.
The employer and plan have notice duties. A beneficiary’s election and premium periods use their own start dates.
Standard federal COBRA notice and premium deadlines
The schedule covers ordinary federal continuation rules for covered plans. Plan notices specify where to send an election or payment and may allow more time. Special plan structures and state continuation laws can have separate rules.
| Source | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Employer notice to plan | 30 days | Generally starts at the qualifying event the employer must report | Source 1 |
| Employee or beneficiary notice | At least 60 days under plan notice rules | Events such as divorce, legal separation or a child losing dependent status. Check the plan’s start date. | Source 5 |
| Plan election notice | 14 days in the ordinary separate-administrator case | After the plan administrator receives the required qualifying-event notice | Source 1 |
| Qualified beneficiary election | At least 60 days | From the later of coverage loss or notice of the right to elect | Source 2 |
| First premium payment | At least 45 days | After the day the beneficiary elects continuation | Source 3 |
| Later premium payments | At least 30-day grace period | After each due date set by the plan | Source 3 |