If your employment terminates, for whatever reason, you need to know what happens to your benefits.
Health, Prescription Drug, Dental, and Vision Plans
U-M health, dental, and vision plan coverage ends on the last day of the month that you terminate your employment, unless your last day is the first day of the month, in which case your U-M health coverage ends that day. For example, if you terminate August 15, your U-M health plan coverage will end on August 31. If you terminate August 1, your U-M health plan coverage will end on August 1.
COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) is a federal law that allows you to continue coverage at your own cost for up to 18 months. Following your termination, COBRA enrollment materials will be sent to your last known home address. Update your address with the university prior to your employment end date.
Long-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability coverage ends on your last day of employment.
Group Life Insurance
University Life and Optional Life Insurance end on the last day of the month in which employment terminates; however, if the subscriber's death occurs within 31 days after insurance ends (during the 31-day conversion period), benefits will be paid. Dependent Life Insurance ends at the end of the month in which employment ends.
You may be able to convert all or part of your life insurance to an individual policy. See Option to Convert for information on obtaining an individual life insurance policy.
Retirement Savings Plans
The money that you have invested in TIAA and Fidelity for the retirement savings plans remains invested with those companies until you become eligible to withdraw the money.
Visit Options When You Leave U-M or view Cash Withdrawals and Loans for information on the available options regarding your retirement contributions once you have terminated your employment with the university.
Long-Term Care
All questions should be addressed to the insurance company that administers your long-term care plan.
Call MetLife at (800) 638-5433, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time.
Legal Plan
Legal plan enrollment ends on the last day of the month in which your employment terminates. You can convert to an individual plan. Contact MetLife Legal Plans at (800) 821-6400.
Health Care Flexible Spending Account
The Health Care Flexible Spending Account can be continued for up to 18 months on an aftertax basis under the provisions of COBRA. To continue coverage, you must complete and return the COBRA Election Form within 60 days of the date stamped on the form.
If you have a balance in your account after you terminate, payment of claims will be based on eligible expenses incurred on or prior to the last day of the month in which you terminated. If you have questions, call the SSC Contact Center at 5-2000 from the Ann Arbor campus, (734) 615-2000 locally, or (866) 647-7657 toll free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account participants may continue to submit reimbursement requests for eligible expenses incurred before the end of the calendar year. Payment of claims will be based on the balance in the participant's account.