Life is always changing. When you reach one of life’s milestones such as getting married, starting a family, or reaching retirement age, you should take a look at your benefits and consider making some adjustments.
Starting a Family
Congratulations! Welcoming a new child into your life is a wonderful experience. As with other family status changes, you have 31 days from the date of your child’s birth/adoption to make changes to your benefits coverage.
Leave & Disability Benefits
- Paid parental leave – Provides one week of paid leave at 100% of your current wages immediately following the birth of your child.
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) – Provides you up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for certain personal and family medical reasons.
- Short-Term Disability (birth-parent only) – Provides partial income replacement if you are unable to work due to the pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery. You can apply for this coverage no more than four weeks in advance.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Add your new dependent(s) to your medical, dental and vision plan(s). You have 31 days from the date of birth or adoption to make changes to your benefits
- Complete the Benefits Enrollment form to make these changes. If you do not complete the form within 31 days, you must wait until the next annual enrollment period to make changes to your benefits.
- You will need to provide a copy of your child’s birth certificate and social security number (when available), or documentation of legal guardianship, placement for adoption or adoption agreement.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
Enroll or increase your health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA’s). To learn more about FSA’s click here.
Review and Update Beneficiaries
- Pension: Log in to myMERS, click MERS Defined Benefit”, click “View Plan Summary”, click Beneficiaries “Details”.
- Deferred Compensation (457): Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Health Care Savings Program: Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Life Insurance: Complete Beneficiary Designation/Change form and return to HR.
Optional Life Insurance
During open enrollment you may want to and/or increase the level of your optional life coverage for yourself and/or your dependents.
Tax Allowances
If you wish to make changes to your tax allowances update your W-4 federal and state withholdings contact Tracy Balkwell at [email protected] or (734) 327-6655.
Getting Married
If you are changing your marital status, there are many benefits-related actions to consider. As with other family status changes, you have 31 days from the date of your marriage to make changes to your benefits coverage.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Add your new dependent(s) to your medical, dental and vision plan(s). You have 31 days from the your marriage to make changes to your benefits
- Complete the Benefits Enrollment form to make these changes. If you do not complete the form within 31 days, you must wait until the next annual enrollment period to make changes to your benefits.
- You will need to provide a copy of your marriage license.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
Enroll or increase your health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA’s). To learn more about FSA’s click here.
Review and Update Beneficiaries
- Pension: Log in to myMERS, click MERS Defined Benefit”, click “View Plan Summary”, click Beneficiaries “Details”.
- Deferred Compensation (457): Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Health Care Savings Program: Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Life Insurance: Complete Beneficiary Designation/Change form and return to HR.
Optional Life Insurance
During open enrollment you may want to and/or increase the level of your optional life coverage for yourself and/or your dependents.
Tax Allowances
If you wish to make changes to your tax allowances update your W-4 federal and state withholdings contact Tracy Balkwell at [email protected] or (734) 327-6655.
Getting Divorced
If you are changing your marital status, there are many benefits-related actions to consider. As with other family status changes, you have 31 days from the date of your divorce to make changes to your benefits coverage.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Add your new dependent(s) to your medical, dental and vision plan(s). You have 31 days from the your divorce to make changes to your benefits. Complete the Benefits Enrollment form to make these changes. If you do not complete the form within 31 days, you must wait until the next annual enrollment period to make changes to your benefits.
- You will need to provide a copy of your Judgement of Divorce.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
Enroll or increase your health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA’s). To learn more about FSA’s click here.
Review and Update Beneficiaries
- Pension: Log in to myMERS, click MERS Defined Benefit”, click “View Plan Summary”, click Beneficiaries “Details”.
- Deferred Compensation (457): Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Health Care Savings Program: Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Life Insurance: Complete Beneficiary Designation/Change form and return to HR.
Optional Life Coverage
If you elected optional life insurance for your spouse, notify HR so the policy can be cancelled.
Tax Allowances
If you wish to make changes to your tax allowances update your W-4 federal and state withholdings contact Tracy Balkwell at [email protected] or (734) 327-6655.
Leaving WCRC
If you are changing your marital status, there are many benefits-related actions to consider. As with other family status changes, you have 31 days from the date of your divorce to make changes to your benefits coverage.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Add your new dependent(s) to your medical, dental and vision plan(s). You have 31 days from the your divorce to make changes to your benefits. Complete the Benefits Enrollment form to make these changes. If you do not complete the form within 31 days, you must wait until the next annual enrollment period to make changes to your benefits.
- You will need to provide a copy of your divorce decree.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's)
Enroll or increase your health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA’s). To learn more about FSA’s click here.
Review and Update Beneficiaries
- Pension: Log in to myMERS, click MERS Defined Benefit”, click “View Plan Summary”, click Beneficiaries “Details”.
- Deferred Compensation (457): Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Health Care Savings Program: Log in to myMERS, select your plan, click “Manage Beneficiaries” (left).
- Life Insurance: Complete Beneficiary Designation/Change form and return to HR.
Optional Life Insurance
If you elected optional life insurance for your spouse, notify HR so the policy can be cancelled.
Tax Allowances
If you wish to make changes to your tax allowances update your W-4 federal and state withholdings contact Tracy Balkwell at [email protected] or (734) 327-6655.
