Benefits after Termination of Employment

For Non-Retirement, Non Transfer

Medical & Dental

Contact: Human Resources, (860) 486-3034

Your medical and dental insurance ends on the last day of the month in which your employment terminates.

You will be extended the opportunity to continue your health benefits under the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Under COBRA, you may purchase group health insurance until coverage can be obtained under another group policy, or for up to thirty (30) months after termination of employment, whichever occurs first. You are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity within sixty (60) days from the date of loss of health insurance coverage or the date you receive your COBRA notice, whichever is later. You may continue your present medical/dental insurance(s) for yourself and only those dependents on your plan at the time of separation. If you elect continuation of coverage, you must pay the full group rate on a monthly basis plus a 2% administrative charge. For more information about COBRA, including the rates, please visit the HR-Benefits Health insurance website.

Please note: If you are an end date employee in an UCPEA position with one year or more of service and you are not renewed, you are eligible to continue medical benefits for up to four calendar months (which includes the month of non-renewal) by paying your portion of the premium each month. COBRA continuation would be available thereafter.

Life Insurance (Basic and Supplemental, Dearborn National)

Contact: Office of the State Comptroller, Group Life Division, (860) 702-3535

An employee who terminates active work for any reason should contact the Office of the State Comptroller to determine what arrangements, if any, can be made to continue the insurance in force or to exercise any rights under the group policy when insurance terminates. Conversion to an individual life insurance policy is available to employees who have had life insurance in force for at least five consecutive years. Contact the State Comptroller’s Office, Group Life Division for a conversion application.

Retirement

Alternate Retirement Program (ARP)
Contact: Prudential (844) 505-7283

Your account with Prudential (and TIAA-CREF if applicable) remains with you; however no new contributions are permitted. You continue to direct how the account is invested. For information about withdrawals and rollovers, contact Prudential. Please note that the disability insurance that is provided to ARP participants at no cost ends at employment termination. For information on converting to an individual long term disability policy, email Human Resources or call (860) 486-3034.

State Employees Retirement System (SERS)
Contact: Human Resources, (860) 486-3034

The options available to you depend on which retirement plan you participate in and the number of years of vesting service or actual service you have at employment termination.

For Participants in Tier II or Tier IIa

The options available to you depend on the amount of years of vesting service or actual service you have at employment termination. You earn a permanent vested right to a retirement benefit if you have at least 5 years of actual state service or 10 years of vesting service at the time you leave.

  • Less than 5 years of actual service or 10 years of vesting service – you do not have a vested right to a retirement benefit. You may withdraw your retirement contributions. This withdrawal will include interest at 5% per year credited from July 1st coincident with or preceding the date you leave state service. If you do not withdraw your contributions and do not return to state service within five years, a refund application will be sent to you. If you do not apply for a refund within 10 years after your employment ends, your contributions will become part of the retirement fund.
  • At least 5 but less than 10 years of actual state service – you are vested in a retirement benefit, which you are eligible to begin collecting on the first of any month following your 65th birthday.
  • At least 10 years of actual or vesting service – you are vested in a retirement benefit, which you are eligible to begin collecting on the first of the month following age 55 (early retirement).

For Participants in Tier III

The options available to you depend on whether or not you are vested in retiree health benefits. You are vested in retiree health benefits if you have at least 10 years of actual or vesting service.

  • Less than 10 years of actual or vesting – you do not have a vested right to a retirement benefit. You may withdraw your retirement contributions. This withdrawal will include interest at 5% per year credited from July 1 coincident with or preceding the date you leave State service. If you do not withdraw your contributions and do not return to State service within 5 years, a refund application will be sent to you. If you do not apply for a refund within 10 years after your employment ends, your contributions will become part of the retirement fund.
  • At least 10 years of actual or vesting service – you are vested in retirement benefit, which you are eligible to collect on the first day of the month following age 58 (early retirement).

For Participants in the Hybrid Plan
Participants in the Hybrid Plan will have a choice of a monthly pension benefit, if vested, or “cash out”.

Please note, if you are eligible for a vested benefit when you leave state service you may not elect to withdraw your contributions in lieu of receiving a retirement benefit.

Retiree Health Insurance

Contact: Human Resources, (860) 486-3034

The options available to you depend on whether or not you are vested in retiree health benefits.

  • Less than 10 years of service (15 years for employees hired 7/1/2011 or later) – You are eligible for a refund of your Retiree Health Fund Contributions if you have not yet met the requirements to qualify for the benefit. To request a refund, complete State of CT Form CO-1301 and send it to Cheryl Berry in the UConn Payroll Department. Should you have questions regarding your Retiree Health Care service time and eligibility, contact Melody Williamson in the Department of Human Resources at 860-486-3034.
  • At least 10 years of actual service (15 years for employees hired 7/1/2011 or later) – you are vested in a retirement health benefit. The age at which you are eligible to begin collecting the benefit is subject to the rules outlined in Division Memorandum 2013-06.

Additional Benefits

Life Insurance

AETNA Group Universal Life Insurance (GUL)
Contact: Charles Dyson, College Benefits Group, (860) 429-9000, toll-free (800) 594-7310

You may continue your Universal Life Insurance through AETNA on a direct bill basis by contacting Charles Dyson.

VOYA Universal Life Insurance
Contact: VOYA Universal Life Insurance, 888- 909-4274

Retirement Savings Programs

403(b), 457
Your account with Prudential remains with you; however no new contributions are permitted. You continue to direct how the account is invested. For information about withdrawals and rollovers, contact Prudential (844) 505-7283.

Long-Term Disability

Contact Charles Dyson at College Benefits Group for information about continuing disability insurance after your employment ends. Charles Dyson, College Benefits Group, (860) 429-9000, toll-free (800) 594-7310.

Short-Term Disability

The Hartford, Charles Dyson, College Benefits Group, (860) 429-9000, toll-free (800) 594-7310

Colonial Life, (800) 884-0689

Lincoln National, (866) 858-1171

Contact the carrier or carrier representative directly for information about continuing disability insurance after your employment ends.

Dependent Care Assistance Program

Contact: Progressive Benefits Solutions, (866) 906-8023

The Dependent Care/Day Care Assistance Program (DCAP) benefits end at employment termination. You may request reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred prior to your termination date no later than 90 days following the end of the calendar year.

Medflex

Contact: Total Administrative Services Corporation (TASC) (888) 698-1429

MEDFLEX benefits end at employment termination. You may request reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred up to your date of termination no later than 90 days following the end of the calendar year. You may be eligible to continue MEDFLEX benefits under the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Eligibility requirements:

  • You must have a positive balance in your account on the date of termination (taking into account all claims submitted prior to your termination),
  • The maximum benefit available under the plan for the remainder of the calendar year is no more than the maximum benefit the plan could require as payment for the remainder of the year, and
  • Your employment termination was not due to gross misconduct.

You will have 60 days from receipt of the COBRA notice to enroll. The COBRA contribution will be one-twelfth (1/12th) of the elected amount, plus an additional 2% administrative fee, payable to TASC, FBO State of Connecticut MEDFLEX Program. All contributions must be paid on an after-tax basis and coverage will end no later than the end of the calendar year. Any amount remaining in the account will be subject to the Use-It-Or-Lose-It Rule.

Qualified Transportation Account

Contact: Progressive Benefits Solutions, (866) 906-8023

The Qualified Transportation Account ends when your employment terminates. Only expenses incurred up to your employment termination are eligible for reimbursement. The claim submission deadline is 180 days from the date of the expense. Any amount remaining in the account will subject to forfeiture.

Auto and Homeowner Insurance

Contacts:

MetLife, (800) 438-6381
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, (888) 257-4889
Travelers, (800) 842-5075

You may continue your auto and homeowner insurance on a direct bill basis. Contact your insurance company to request direct billing.

Long-Term Care

Contacts:

MetLife, (800) 582-2889
UNUM, serviced by MedAmerica, (877) 202-6043
TransAmerica, (800) 582-2889

You may continue this benefit on a direct bill basis by contacting the carrier directly.