Life Events

Life Events

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.

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:
SERS: Complete and send a new CO-999 (Designation of Retirement System Tier-Plan-Beneficiary) to the Benefits and HR Services Team in the Department of Human Resources.ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential.

Life Insurance:
Basic Life Insurance (Dearborn National): Request a personalized beneficiary change form from the Benefits and HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.

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):
DCAP allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Dependent Care Assistance Program Website.Medical Flexible (MEDFLEX):
MEDFLEX allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Medical Flexible Spending Account Program Website.		 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.

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.

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:
SERS: Complete and send a new CO-999 (Designation of Retirement System Tier-Plan-Beneficiary) to the Benefits and HR Services Team in the Department of Human Resources.
 
ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential.
 
Life Insurance:
Basic Life Insurance (Dearborn National): Request a personalized beneficiary change form from the Benefits and HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
 
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):
DCAP allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Dependent Care Assistance Program Website.
 
Medical Flexible (MEDFLEX):
MEDFLEX allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Medical Flexible Spending Account Program Website. 		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.

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.

Life Insurance

 You may choose to end life insurance coverage for your prior spouse.

Beneficiary Changes

 You may choose to change or update beneficiaries for your retirement plan, life insurance, and/or deferred compensation programs. Retirement Plan:
SERS: Complete and send a new CO-999 (Designation of Retirement System Tier-Plan-Beneficiary) to the Benefits and HR Services Team in the Department of Human Resources.

ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential.

Life Insurance:
Basic Life Insurance (Dearborn National): Request a personalized beneficiary change form from the Benefits and HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.

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.

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:
SERS: Complete and send a new CO-999 (Designation of Retirement System Tier-Plan-Beneficiary) to the Benefits and HR Services Team in the Department of Human Resources.
 
ARP: Complete and send the new Beneficiary Change Form directly to the Prudential.
 
Life Insurance:
Basic Life Insurance (Dearborn National): Request a personalized beneficiary change form from the Benefits and HR Services Team at hr@uconn.edu or (860) 486-3034.
 
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):
DCAP allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Dependent Care Assistance Program Website.
 
Medical Flexible (MEDFLEX):
MEDFLEX allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. For more information, visit the State of Connecticut Medical Flexible Spending Account Program Website. 		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.

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.
Your updated address will automatically be sent to the medical, prescription drug, and dental carriers. If you are enrolled in supplemental benefits, contact the carriers directly. Contact information is available here. 		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.

Separating from UConn

Regardless of the reason why you are leaving UConn, there are steps you should take which can make your transition a bit easier.

If you are voluntarily leaving your position at UConn, notify your supervisor, manager, or department head of your intent to resign as soon as possible.

For certain employee population, there are guidelines for how much time you must give to the University prior to you leaving.
Voluntary Resignation in Good Standing Notice Requirements

Items to Consider Prior to Your Last Day.

Review What Happens to Your Benefits
Review What Happens to Your Accrued Leaves
Review the Employee Separation Guidelines with your supervisor

On Your Last Day of Work.

My last day of work has arrived, what do I need to do to remain in good standing with the University?
Review the Departing Employee Last Day Checklist

What Happens to your Benefits & Accrued Vacation Time if...

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 Programs		 Payroll 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 Time Maintenance 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)
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

If you have questions about accruals when you transfer to another state agency, Call the Payroll Department at (860) 486-2423.

UCPEA end date employees who are not renewed are eligible for certain health benefits and post-employment benefits, depending on their years of service.

Employees with at least one year of service

In accordance with the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) Placement and Training Agreement, eligible employees can receive the following benefits:

  • Up to four months of medical and dental insurance continuation, provided they pay their share of the cost. COBRA is available thereafter.
  • Placement on the SEBAC Reemployment List
  • Counseling and Outplacement Services

Visit the DAS Website to learn more about these benefits.

Employees with at least four years of service

Eligible employees can be placed on the UCPEA Recall List, in accordance with Article 44 of the UCPEA contract.

Other considerations

UCPEA employees who are eligible for retirement should be aware that if they transition directly into retirement, they receive:

  • Retiree life insurance, if enrolled in basic life insurance
  • Payout of any “banked” sick leave accrued while in a statewide bargaining unit
  • Prorated longevity payment

UCPEA employees who do not transition directly into retirement, do not return to state employment, and commence retirement benefits after a break in service do not receive the above benefits.

If you have questions about your SEBAC or Recall rights, email Human Resources or call 860-486-3034.

Employees who experience a layoff from the University have additional benefits and services available to them in accordance with their union contract and the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) Placement and Training Agreement.

Provision
Information
Reemployment/Recall
UCPEA
Article 27
AAUP
Article 14
Maintenance and Service (CEUI) (NP-2)
Article 13
Administrative Clearical (AFSCME) (NP-3)
Article 14
Police and Fire (NP-5)
Article 15
Social and Human Services (AFSCME) (P-2)
Article 13
Administrative and Residual (A&R) (P-5)
Article 13

SEBAC

  • Reemployment List
  • Counseling and Outplacement Services
  • Medical/Dental Insurance Continuation
Placement and Training Agreement
DAS Website
Contact the Office of Faculty and Staff Labor Relations at (860) 486-5684 if you have questions about layoffs.

Notification

The family, or someone on behalf of the family, should contact Lori Vivian, Manager Human Resources Benefits Unit – (860) 486-5734 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 – Lori Vivian, Manager Benefits Unit – (860) 486-5734

The Benefits Unit will contact the employee’s named beneficiary (Retirement Plan Beneficiary as designated on CO-931h) with information about continuation of benefits.

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.

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.