Human Resources encourages all employees to review their benefits, beneficiaries, emergency contacts, and other information upon experiencing a life event. A general list of life events are below. Please contact Human Resources at hr@uconn.edu or 860-486-3034 with questions.
Beneficiary Changes
It’s important to periodically review your beneficiaries to ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes. Major life events, such as a change in marital status or the birth of a child, are especially important times to review and consider changing your beneficiaries.
The information provided below will assist you in reviewing and updating your beneficiaries.
State of Connecticut Basic and Supplemental Group Life Insurance
You can view your life insurance beneficiaries through the Benefits self-service module in CORE-CT under Benefits Summary. To change your life insurance beneficiary, you must request a personalized beneficiary change form from the Benefits and HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
If you have questions, contact UConn Human Resources at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
State Employees Retirement System (SERS) Retirement Plans
SERS participants change their beneficiary directly with UConn Human Resources using the State of Connecticut Designation of Retirement Plan Beneficiary Form at the following link: CO-999.
The printed form with an original signature should be directed to UConn Human Resources.
Drop off or US mail: 9 Walters Avenue, Storrs, CT 06269-5075
Interoffice Mail: U5075
Alternate Retirement Program (ARP)
ARP participants change their beneficiary directly with Empower, who makes available an online form at the following link: Alternate Retirement Program Beneficiary Designation Form.
Questions should be directed to Empower at (844) 505-7283.
If you have an account through TIAA, the former ARP recordkeeper, you will update your beneficiaries directly with TIAA. To access beneficiary change information online, you must log on to your account at the following website: www.tiaa.org.
Questions should be directed to TIAA at (800) 842-2776.
Outstanding Pay, Payout of Accruals, Contract Adjustments
The beneficiaries you identify on the State of Connecticut Designation of Retirement Plan Beneficiary Form CO-999 are also the beneficiaries for outstanding pay, payout of accruals and contract adjustments.
SERS participants do not have to submit a separate form for these purposes. ARP participants who want to update their beneficiaries for these purposes must complete the form that is available at the following link: CO-999.
The printed form with an original signature should be directed to UConn Human Resources:
Drop off or US mail: 9 Walters Avenue, Storrs, CT 06269-5075
Interoffice Mail: U5075
Supplemental Benefits
Life Insurance
You work directly with the companies identified below to update your beneficiaries:
VOYA Universal Life Insurance (888) 909-4274
Dearborn National Voluntary Life insurance (866) 858-1171
Aetna Group Universal Life Insurance through College Benefits Group (860) 429-9000
Retirement Savings
You work directly with Empower to update your beneficiaries for your 403(b) and 457 retirement savings plans. Empower provides an online form that you print and return to them as directed on the form. Below are the links to the online forms:
403(b) Designation Form
457 Beneficiary Designation Form
Questions should be directed to Empower at (844) 505-7283.
Benefits When You Transfer to Another State Agency
The following is information for employee who are leaving employment at the University to work at a different state agency with no break in service.
| Insurance Benefits | Impact |
|---|---|
| Medical/Dental Insurance | Continue |
| Basic Life Insurance | Continue |
| Supplemental Life Insurance | Continue only if eligible |
| Supplemental State Sponsored Benefits | Continue |
| Additional University Sponsored Benefits: College Benefits Group Life and Disability Insurance ProgramsPayroll deduction ends. Contact College Benefits Group at (860) 429-9000 for information regarding continuation options. |
|
| Retirement Benefits | Impact |
| State Employee Retirement System (SERS) Tier I, Tier II, Tier IIA, Tier III | Continue |
| SERS Hybrid Plan | Continue only if transferring to an agency in higher education and to a position in which the Hybrid Plan is offered. If not, enrollment in SERS. |
| Alternate Retirement Program (ARP) | Continue only if transferring to an agency in higher education and to a position in which ARP is offered. If not, enrollment in SERS.ARP account is retained by employee. No withdrawal or rollover provisions permitted while employed at a state agency. |
| Retiree Health Contributions | Continue |
| 403(b) Plan | Deduction continue only if transferring to a 403(b) eligible agency, such as an agency in higher education. |
| 457 Plan | Continue |
If you have questions about benefits continuation when you transfer to another state agency, Call the HR Service Desk at (860) 486-3034.
Accruals When You Transfer to Another State Agency
| Accruals | Impact |
|---|---|
| Vacation | Balances Transfer |
| Sick TimeMaintenance and Service (CEUI) (NP-2) Administrative Clerical (AFSCME) (NP-3) Police and Fire (NP-5) Social and Human Services (AFSCME) (P-2) Administrative and Residual (A&R) (P-5) |
Balances Transfer |
| UCPEA Management/Confidential |
Balances do not transfer, no payout “Banked”sick time, accrued while in a statewide bargaining unit, transfers |
| Holidays Worked/T-time | Balances transfer or paid out if not available in new position |
| PL
Maintenance and Service (CEUI) (NP-2) |
Balances Transfer |
| UCPEA Management/Confidential |
Balances do not transfer, no payout |
If you have questions about accruals when you transfer to another state agency, Call the Payroll Department at (860) 486-2423.
Birth or Adoption of a Child
| Detail | What You Can Do & How You Do It |
When Coverage Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, Dental, Pharmacy | If you are enrolled in health insurance, you may add your newly eligible child to your current plans.You have 31 days to add your child to your medical and/or dental coverage through the Benefits self-service module in CORE-CT under Life Events. An eBenefits Job Aid is available should you need assistance.
Your child’s Social Security number is requested when you enroll your child. If you have not yet obtained a Social Security number for your child, you may enroll your child without the number and follow-up with the Department of Human Resources when you have it. |
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of birth or adoption. Please note that newborn children are covered under their mother’s insurance for the first 31 days of their life. |
| Life Insurance | You may choose to purchase life insurance for your child.
The supplemental voluntary life insurance benefits offered through UConn and the State of Connecticut include the ability to purchase life insurance for children. Rules vary by carrier as well as the coverage in force at the time of birth. Please contact the Benefits & HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034 for more information. |
Coverage begins immediately following purchase of life insurance for the newborn or adopted child. |
| Beneficiary Changes | You may choose to change or update beneficiaries for your retirement plan, life insurance, and/or deferred compensation programs.
Retirement Plan:
ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential.
Life Insurance:
Aetna Group Universal Life Insurance: Contact Charlie Dyson of College Benefits Group at (860) 429-9000.
Voya Universal Life: Contact a Voya representative at (800) 842-8444.
Deferred Compensation: Complete the applicable change of beneficiary forms for your 403(b) and 457 plans available on the Prudential Website. |
Changes are effective immediately following the submission of the applicable change of beneficiary forms. |
| Flexible Spending Account | You may choose to enroll in or change your flexible spending accounts including Dependent Care and the Medical Flexible Spending Accounts.
Dependent Care (DCAP):
Medical Flexible (MEDFLEX): |
Changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Tax Withholding | You may choose to review your federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Leave of Absence | You may choose to take a family and medical leave of absence from your job.
Visit the Medical Leaves website for more information regarding maternity and parental leaves. |
See additional information regarding leave effective dates on the HR Website. |
| Educational Savings Plans | You may choose to consider participating in a Higher Education College Savings Plan.
Visit the Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) website for more information about participating in a 529 college savings plan. |
Visit www.aboutchet.com for more information regarding eligibility and effective dates. |
| Breastfeeding/Lactation Space | You may choose to breastfeed your new baby and UConn is committed to ensuring that nursing mothers on campus are aware of lactation spaces as well as relevant workplace guidance and policies.
Visit the Breastfeeding and Lactation Website for the Lactation Policy, frequently asked questions, and for a list of lactation rooms available around UConn’s campuses. |
Availability of specific lactation rooms is posted on the Breastfeeding and Lactation Website. |
| Child Care | You may need to secure child care for your new child.
Please visit the Work Life Website for information regarding local child care facilities. |
Availability of child care facilities is maintained by individual facilities. |
| Employee Assistance Program | While adding a new child to your family is a happy event, you may benefit from assistance with making the adjustment.
Please visit the University’s Employee Assistance Program for information regarding free confidential counseling and referral services. |
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all University employees. |
| Tenure Clock Extensions | If you are a tenure-track faculty member you qualify for an automatic extension of your tenure clock.
Please contact Megan Stimson or (860) 486-6171 for more information. |
Tenure clock adjustments for the birth or adoption of a child are automatic. |
Change of Address
| Detail | What You Can Do & How You Do It |
When Coverage Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, Dental, Pharmacy | If you move in or out of Connecticut the medical options available to you may change.
Change your address using the Personal Information self-service module in CORE-CT. |
Coverage changes the first day of the month following move. |
| Tax Withholding | You may choose to review your federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Update Personal Information | You may choose to update your personal information including name, address, phone number and/or emergency contacts.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review and update your personal information. |
Changes are effective immediately. |
| Direct Deposit | You may choose to change the account to which you are directly depositing you pay.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review and update your personal information. |
Changes are effective within 2 to 3 paychecks. |
Covered Child Turns 26
Children remain eligible for medical and dental benefits coverage through the end of the calendar year in which they turn age 26. For example, a child who turns age 26 in February will remain eligible for coverage through December 31st. On January 1 of the year following the child’s 26th birthday, s/he is no longer eligible for state-subsidized benefits unless certified by the medical carrier as disabled (dependents must be certified disabled by your Medical carrier no later than 31 days from the end of the calendar year in which they turn age 26). The child will automatically be removed from coverage and a COBRA notice will be mailed to the child at his/her address on file in CORE-CT. The child is eligible for continuous coverage for up to 36 months through COBRA. More information, including rates is available at COBRA Coverage.
If the child does not receive a COBRA notice by January 15th of the year after s/he turns 26, contact Human Resources at benefits@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
Death of a Dependent
| Detail | What You Can Do & How You Do It |
When Coverage Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, Dental, Pharmacy | If your dependent is enrolled in health insurance, you may cancel coverage.
You may also add eligible children to your plan who were covered under your spouse’s plan through his or her employer.
If the family member was on your medical and/or dental coverage, provide a copy of the death certificate to Human Resources, who will automatically remove him or her from your coverage. |
|
| Life Insurance | Please contact the Benefits & HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034 for more information. | Please contact the Benefits & HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034 for more information. |
| Beneficiary Changes | You may choose to change or update beneficiaries for your retirement plan, life insurance, and/or deferred compensation programs.
Retirement Plan: ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential. Life Insurance: Aetna Group Universal Life Insurance: Contact Charlie Dyson of College Benefits Group at (860) 429-9000. Voya Universal Life: Contact a Voya representative at (800) 842-8444. Deferred Compensation: Complete the applicable change of beneficiary forms for your 403(b) and 457 plans available on the Prudential Website. |
Changes are effective immediately following the submission of the applicable change of beneficiary forms. |
| Flexible Spending Account | You may choose to stop or change your flexible spending accounts including Dependent Care and the Medical Flexible Spending Accounts.
Dependent Care (DCAP): Medical Flexible (MEDFLEX): |
Changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Tax Withholding | You may choose to review your federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Employee Assistance Program | While adding a new child to your family is a happy event, you may benefit from assistance with making the adjustment.
Please visit the University’s Employee Assistance Program for information regarding free confidential counseling and referral services. |
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all University employees. |
Death of an Employee
Notification
The family, or someone on behalf of the family, should contact Human Resources – Joanna Smith, Benefits Team Lead – 860-486-6544 to report the death of an employee.
Following such notification, Human Resources and the Payroll Department will review the employee’s records for a determination of:
- Outstanding Pay
- Payout of Accruals
- Life Insurance Enrollment
- Medical/Dental Continuation for Surviving Spouse/Children
- Tuition Waiver Continuation for Surviving Spouse/Children
- Survivor Benefits under Connecticut State Employees Retirement System (SERS) or the Alternate Retirement Program (ARP)
- Continuation of Additional Benefits
Payroll Department - (860) 486-2423
The Payroll Department will complete the agency portion of the CO-536 Claim for Payment Due Deceased Employee and forward it to the employee’s named beneficiary (Retirement Plan Beneficiary as designated on CO-931h). The beneficiary must submit the completed form and an official death notice to the Payroll Department. If there is no beneficiary, or the named beneficiary predeceased the employee, outstanding pay and the payout of accruals will be made to the estate.
The Payroll Department sends information to the Office of the State Comptroller, who processes the payout of outstanding pay and the payout of accruals and the payment of Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance (if enrolled) to the designated life insurance beneficiary(ies).
Human Resources – Joanna Smith, Benefits Team Lead – 860-486-6544
The Benefits Unit will contact the employee’s named beneficiary (Retirement Plan Beneficiary as designated on CO-931h) with information about continuation of benefits. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all University employees.
Getting Married
| Detail | What You Can Do & How You Do It |
When Coverage Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, Dental, Pharmacy | If you are enrolled in health insurance, you may add your spouse to your current plans.
You have 31 days from the date of your marriage to add your spouse and eligible stepchildren to your coverage through the Benefits self-service module in CORE-CT under Life Events. An eBenefits Job Aid is available should you need assistance. |
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of marriage. |
| Life Insurance | You may choose to purchase life insurance for your spouse.
The supplemental voluntary life insurance benefits offered through UConn and the State of Connecticut include the ability to purchase life insurance for children. Rules vary by carrier as well as the coverage in force at the time of birth. Please contact the Benefits & HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034 for more information. |
Coverage begins immediately following purchase of life insurance for the spouse. |
| Beneficiary Changes | You may choose to change or update beneficiaries for your retirement plan, life insurance, and/or deferred compensation programs.
Retirement Plan: Life Insurance: Aetna Group Universal Life Insurance: Contact Charlie Dyson of College Benefits Group at (860) 429-9000. Voya Universal Life: Contact a Voya representative at (800) 842-8444. Deferred Compensation: Complete the applicable change of beneficiary forms for your 403(b) and 457 plans available on the Prudential Website. |
Changes are effective immediately following the submission of the applicable change of beneficiary forms. |
| Flexible Spending Account | You may choose to enroll in or change your flexible spending accounts including Dependent Care and the Medical Flexible Spending Accounts.
Dependent Care (DCAP): |
Changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| ax Withholding | You may choose to review your federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Update Personal Information | If you change your name or address, be sure to update your records.
First contact the Social Security Administration to change your name. It’s important that the name on your social security card match the name on your payroll record. You can update your name, address, phone number and emergency contacts using the Personal Information self-service module in Employee Self Service Portal. |
Changes are effective immediately. |
| Direct Deposit | You may choose to change the account to which you are directly depositing you pay.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review and update your personal information. |
Changes are effective within 2 to 3 paychecks. |
Legal Separation or Divorce
| Detail | What You Can Do & How You Do It |
When Coverage Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Medical, Dental, Pharmacy | Your former spouse and your stepchildren are no longer eligible dependents for medical and dental coverage as of the first of the month following the legal separation or divorce.
You have 31 days following your divorce or legal separation to remove your former spouse and stepchildren from coverage through the Benefits self-service module in CORE-CT under Life Events. An eBenefits Job Aid is available should you need assistance. A COBRA notice will be sent to your former spouse and stepchildren at the address on file for them. Information about COBRA is available here. You have access to review and update the address on file for your former spouse and stepchildren through the Benefits self-service module in CORE-CT under Dependent/Beneficiary Coverage. Click on the name, review the address, and click edit on the bottom of the screen to enter and save a new address. Coverage ends the first day of the month following the date of legal separation or divorce.
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| Life Insurance | You may choose to end life insurance coverage for your prior spouse.
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| Beneficiary Changes | You may choose to change or update beneficiaries for your retirement plan, life insurance, and/or deferred compensation programs.
Retirement Plan: ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential. Life Insurance: Aetna Group Universal Life Insurance: Contact Charlie Dyson of College Benefits Group at (860) 429-9000. Voya Universal Life: Contact a Voya representative at (800) 842-8444. Deferred Compensation: Complete the applicable change of beneficiary forms for your 403(b) and 457 plans available on the Prudential Website. |
Changes are effective immediately following the submission of the applicable change of beneficiary forms. |
| Tax Withholding | You may choose to review your federal and state tax withholdings and make any necessary adjustments.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Update Personal Information | You may choose to take a family and medical leave of absence from your job.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review your current tax withholding status and make changes as appropriate to your situation. |
Tax withholding changes are effective in the next available paycheck. |
| Direct Deposit | You may choose to change the account to which you are directly depositing you pay.
Visit UConn’s Employee Self Service Portal to review update your personal information. |
Changes are effective within 2 to 3 paychecks. |
| Employee Assistance Program | If a change in marital status is causing you stress on or off the job, you may benefit from assistance with making the adjustment.
Please visit the University’s Employee Assistance Program for information regarding free confidential counseling and referral services. |
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to all University employees. |
Loss of Healthcare Through Another Source
You have 31 days following the loss of coverage through another source to enroll yourself and your eligible family members in the State of Connecticut health coverage through the Benefits Self-Service Module in CORE-CT under Life Events. An eBenefits Job Aid is available should you need assistance.
If you have a future-dated loss of coverage, contact Human Resources at benefits@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
You, Your Spouse or Child Becomes Newly Eligible for Coverage Through Another Source
You can voluntarily drop health coverage for you or any of your covered family members who become newly eligible for coverage elsewhere, such as through a change in their employment. You have 31 days following the effective date of the new coverage to make the change. The coverage will be dropped on the first of the month following the new plan’s effective date, and the change in contributions, if any, will be effective on the same day.
Contact Human Resources at benefits@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
You or Your Spouse Have Reached 65
Age 65 is a milestone birthday when it comes to Medicare-eligibility.
If you are an active employee, and you and/or your spouse are eligible for Medicare, you do NOT need to enroll in Medicare Part B while enrolled in the active state plan. The active state plan is primary. If you choose to enroll in Medicare Part B, you will pay a premium for that coverage. The State does not reimburse Medicare Part B premiums for employees or dependents enrolled in the active plan.
Medicare Part A does not typically have a premium cost associated with enrollment. There is no harm in enrolling in Medicare Part A when you or your spouse become eligible.
When you drop or otherwise lose your active employee state coverage (i.e. upon retirement), you will have a limited time to sign up for Medicare Part B with no penalty. If you are eligible for enrollment on the State’s retiree plan, you will be required to enroll in Medicare Part B at that time. You must submit a copy of your Medicare card to the Office of the State Comptroller’s Retirement Health Unit for reimbursement of your and/or your spouse’s Medicare Part B premium.