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Changes: Major Life Events
Successfully navigating major life events is easier when you have support. Whether you are getting married, going through a divorce, treating a major illness, managing the care of a seriously ill family member, adjusting to a decrease in work hours, or experiencing another significant situation, your benefits can support you, and the Office of Human Resources is here to help.
Use the information below to leverage your benefits during significant life events. Each situation is unique, and there may be options or programs not included on this list that can help you.
Important: In most cases, you only have a limited amount of time to take advantage of programs specific to your situation. It is recommended that you contact a benefits navigator as soon as you experience an event listed below to ensure the deadline is met.
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Marriage
If you’ve recently gotten married, congratulations! Use the information below to help you determine how to best manage your benefits.
Manage Your Benefits: Marriage
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Add your spouse to your state medical insurance; change your medical plan election
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of marriage Copy of your marriage certificate Add your spouse to your state dental insurance; add Dental Plus
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of marriage Copy of your marriage certificate Add your spouse to your state vision plan
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of marriage Copy of your marriage certificate Note: If you will now be covered on your spouse’s insurance plan(s), contact a Benefits Navigator to waive your state health coverage. You’ll need to waive your coverage within 31 days of when your new coverage starts. Financial Programs Action Deadline Documentation Add your spouse to your state life insurance policies
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Marriage certificate Increase your state life insurance policies as well as update your beneficiaries
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Marriage certificate Enroll or increase contributions to a medical spending account or health savings account
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Marriage certificate Update your state retirement plan beneficiaries (SCRS, PORS, or State ORP)
Start this process online in PEBA MemberAccess. State ORP members should also contact their service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation Only Start, stop, or change contributions to your supplemental retirement plans (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process online by accessing our Supplemental Retirement Programs webpage.
Changes can be made anytime Election form only Update your supplemental retirement plan beneficiaries (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process by contacting your plan service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation Only Lifestyle Programs Understand your Sick Family Leave benefits Learn how you can take paid time away from work to care for your sick spouse using your sick leave benefits. Understand your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act You may have rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (PDF) to take time away from work for your spouse. -
Legal Separation or Divorce
If you’ve recently experienced a legal separation or a divorce, use the information below to help you determine how to best manage your benefits.
Manage Your Benefits: Legal Separation or Divorce
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Drop your former spouse from your state medical insurance*
*PEBA requires that stepchildren also be removed due to the Legal Separation or Divorce.
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation – Separation decree*
Divorce – Divorce decree
*Certain rules apply. Please contact a benefits navigator for further details.
Drop your former spouse from your state dental insurance
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation – Separation decree*
Divorce – Divorce decree
*Certain rules apply. Please contact a benefits navigator for further details.
Drop your former spouse from your state vision plan
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation – Separation decree*
Divorce – Divorce decree
*Certain rules apply. Please contact a benefits navigator for further details.
Financial Programs Action Deadline Documentation Drop your former spouse from your state life insurance policies
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation - Separation decree
Divorce - Divorce decree
Increase or decrease your state life insurance policies as well as update your beneficiaries
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation - Separation decree
Divorce - Divorce decree
Enroll, increase, or decrease contributions to a medical spending account or health savings account
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation - Separation decree
Divorce - Divorce decree
Enroll, increase, or decrease contributions to a dependent care spending account (dependent upon how the separation/divorce impacts dependents)
Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
31 days from the date of the event Legal Separation - Separation decree
Divorce - Divorce decree
Update your state retirement plan beneficiaries (SCRS, PORS, or State ORP)
Start this process online in PEBA MemberAccess. State ORP members should also contact their service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation only Start, stop, or change contributions to your supplemental retirement plans (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process online by accessing our Supplemental Retirement Programs webpage.
Changes can be made anytime Election form only Update your supplemental retirement plan beneficiaries (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process by contacting your plan service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation only Lifestyle Programs User resources provided by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counseling services are available through the university’s EAP provider. -
Increase in the Number of Dependent Children
Use the information below to help you determine how to best manage your benefits if you have recently experienced the birth of a child or children, adopted a child or children, assumed legal guardianship of a child or children or acquired a step child or step children.
Manage Your Benefits: Increase in the Number of Dependent Children
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Add your dependent child(ren) to your state medical insurance; change your medical plan election
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Add your dependent child(ren) to your state dental insurance; add Dental Plus
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Add your dependent child(ren) to your state vision plan
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Financial Programs Action Deadline Documentation Add your dependent child(ren) to your state life insurance policies
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Increase your state life insurance policies as well as update your beneficiaries
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Enroll in or increase contributions to a medical spending account, health savings account, and/or dependent care spending account
Births & Adoptions - Start this process online in PEBA MyBenefits
Placement of a Child & the Addition of Step Children – Contact a Benefits Navigator for assistance
31 days from the date of the event Birth – Birth certificate
Adoption – Legal document from court stating adoption is complete
Placement of a Child – Legal letter of placement
Step-Children – Marriage certificate and qualifying documentation per child
Update your state retirement plan beneficiaries (SCRS, PORS, or State ORP)
Start this process online in PEBA MemberAccess. State ORP members should also contact their service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation only Start, stop, or change contributions to your supplemental retirement plans (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process online by accessing our Supplemental Retirement Programs webpage.
Changes can be made anytime Election form only Update your supplemental retirement plan beneficiaries (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b))
Start this process by contacting your plan service provider.
Changes can be made anytime Beneficiary designation only Lifestyle Programs Understand your Sick Family Leave benefits Learn how you can take paid time away from work to care for your sick child(ren) using your sick leave benefits. Understand your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act You may have rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act (PDF) to take time away from work due to the way in which your family has grown. Understand Options within the Faculty: Family Support and Accommodation Plan (FSAP) Faculty members have options available to manage personal events (PDF) differently when leave isn’t an option. Learn about the Lactation Support Network Lactation rooms are available around campus for mothers who need them. View the Lactation Support Network. Understand your rights under the S.C. Pregnancy Accommodation Act Employees can request reasonable accommodations for medical needs (PDF) arising from pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. User resources provided by the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Childcare resources and referrals as well as parenting resources are available through the university’s EAP provider. -
Change in Work Schedule: Full-time to Part-time
If you’ve experienced a change from full-time work (30 weekly standard hours or more) to part-time work (fewer than 30 weekly standard hours or more), use the information below to help you determine how to best manage your benefits.
Manage Your Benefits: Change in Work Schedule - Full-time to Part-time
Health Programs State Health Insurance Package (medical, dental, and vision programs) Your employment history with Clemson will determine if you can continue your state health insurance coverage while you work part-time. Contact a Benefits Navigator for more information. Financial Programs State life insurance policies Your employment history with Clemson will determine if you can continue your state life insurance policies while you work part-time. Contact a Benefits Navigator for more information. Flexible Spending Accounts (medical spending accounts, health savings accounts, dependent care accounts) Your employment history with Clemson will determine if you can continue your participation in flexible spending accounts while you work part-time. Contact a Benefits Navigator for more information. State retirement plan (SCRS, PORS, or State ORP) Employees contribute 9% of their gross income to their SCRS, PORS, or State ORP plan, regardless of the number of hours they work. Start, stop, or change contributions to your supplemental retirement plans (401(k), 457(b), and 403(b) Changes to your supplemental retirement plan(s) can be made at any time. Start this process online by accessing our Supplemental Retirement Programs webpage. Lifestyle Programs Paid leave benefits, e.g., annual leave, sick leave, paid holidays, and grant personal leave To see if you’ll be eligible for paid leave benefits in your new role, view our Summary of Leave Benefits. Family and Medical Leave Act To understand how many hours you must work to be eligible for an FMLA benefit, view our FMLA Employee Packet (PDF). Employee Tuition Assistance Program Employees must be working at least 30 hours per week, in addition to other criteria, to be deemed eligible for the Employee Tuition Assistance Program. Read more about eligibility for the Employee Tuition Assistance Program. -
Loss of Non-Clemson Health Insurance Benefits
If you were recently enrolled in health insurance that was not provided by Clemson University and this coverage has stopped or will stop, use the information below to help you determine when you can enroll in coverage through your Clemson University employment (if you are eligible) and what documentation must be provided.
Manage Your Benefits: Loss of Non-Clemson Health Insurance Benefits
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Enroll in state medical insurance; make your medical plan election*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you lost your prior coverage Letter from your prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped Enroll in state dental insurance*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you lost your prior coverage Letter from your prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped Enroll in state vision insurance*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you lost your prior coverage Letter from your prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped *The state insurance plans you may enroll in is dependent upon the coverage you’ve lost. A Benefits Navigator can assist you with determining the plans you are eligible to enroll in. -
Gain of Non-Clemson Health Insurance Benefits
If you recently enrolled in health insurance that is not provided by Clemson University and you would like to waive your Clemson University insurance benefits, use the information below to determine when you can waive your coverage and what documentation must be provided.
Manage Your Benefits: Gain of Non-Clemson Health Insurance Benefits
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Waive your state medical insurance*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you gained other coverage Letter from your new insurance carrier stating who gained new coverage, what coverage you’ve enrolled in, and the date in which coverage begins Waive your state dental insurance*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you gained other coverage Letter from your new insurance carrier stating who gained new coverage, what coverage you’ve enrolled in, and the date in which coverage begins Waive your state vision insurance*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date you gained other coverage Letter from your new insurance carrier stating who gained new coverage, what coverage you’ve enrolled in, and the date in which coverage begins *Which state insurance plan(s) you may waive depends on the coverage you’ve gained. A Benefits Navigator can assist you with determining the plan(s) you are eligible to waive. -
Spouse Loses Health Insurance Benefits
If your legal spouse has recently lost their health insurance coverage (whether it was provided by Clemson University or another entity), use the information below to help you determine when you can enroll them in your coverage (if you are eligible for coverage) through your Clemson University employment and what documentation must be provided.
Manage Your Benefits: Spouse Loses Health Insurance Benefits
Health Programs Action Deadline Documentation Add your spouse to your state medical insurance; change your medical plan election
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date they lost their prior coverage Copy of your marriage certificate
Non-Clemson coverage: Letter from your spouse’s prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped
Add your spouse to your state dental insurance; add Dental Plus*
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
*Employees must participate in the Dental Plus plan at the time their spouse loses dental coverage to add them to their policy. Dental Plus cannot be added separately outside the annual open enrollment period, which occurs on odd-numbered years unless the employee waived the state dental plan previously.
31 days from the date they lost their prior coverage Copy of your marriage certificate
Non-Clemson coverage: Letter from your spouse’s prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped
Add your spouse to your state vision plan
Start this process online using the Qualifying Life Event Form
31 days from the date they lost their prior coverage Copy of your marriage certificate
Non-Clemson coverage: Letter from your spouse’s prior insurance carrier or employer stating who lost coverage, what coverage has stopped, and the date in which coverage has stopped
*Which state insurance plan(s) your spouse may enroll in depends on the coverage they’ve lost. A Benefits Navigator can assist you with determining the plan(s) they are eligible to enroll in. -
Personal Serious Health Condition
If you’re experiencing a serious health condition, programs are available to help you through this difficult time. Use the information below to help you determine how to best leverage the benefits available to you.
Manage Your Benefits: Personal Serious Health Condition
Health Programs Use your state health insurance coverage Your health, dental, and vision insurance coverage is made for these types of situations. Coverage details can be found in PEBA’s Insurance Benefits Guide (PDF). If you need assistance with how to use your coverage or determining what is covered within your insurance plan, contact us for help. Use your medical spending account or health savings account funds Insurance doesn’t pay for all medical expenses. If you have funds in your medical spending account of health savings account, use them for qualifying expenses related to your illness/injury.
See a list of eligible expenses.
Financial Programs Apply for long term disability (LTD) benefits (a benefit that can be described as a “paycheck insurance” when you’re medically unable to work) If you’re enrolled in state health insurance coverage, you’re automatically enrolled in a basic LTD benefit. You may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to $800 if your absence from work is longer than 90 consecutive days.
If you’ve elected the state supplemental long term disability benefit and you anticipate your absence from work to be longer than your elected benefit waiting period (either 90 or 180 days), you may be eligible for a benefit of up to 65% of your pre-disability earnings.
Contact a Benefits Navigator to begin the process of filing a claim.
Review your state life insurance policies and beneficiaries Ensure your family is financially protected when they need it most.
Policies include provisions to provide benefits after qualifying severe injuries, not just when a death occurs.
Start the review process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
Lifestyle Programs Use Your Sick Leave Benefits Sick leave benefits are made for situations like this. Determine if you’re eligible for paid sick leave benefits and how they can be used. Use Your Annual Leave Benefits If you’ve exhausted your sick leave benefits, annual leave benefits may also be used for an illness/injury. Determine if you’re eligible for paid annual leave benefits and how they can be used. Use Your Grant Personal Leave Benefits In lieu of sick leave or annual leave benefits, you may be eligible for grant personal leave. Determine if you’re eligible for paid grant personal leave benefits and how they can be used. Understand your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act You may have rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act to take time away from work due to your illness/injury. Learn more with the FMLA Employee Packet (PDF). Apply for an Extended Leave of Absence Program If you’ve exhausted your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act or weren’t eligible for these benefits, you may request an extended leave of absence (PDF) due to your illness/injury. Request Benefits from the Leave (Transfer) Pool Program Employees who are eligible for sick and annual leave benefits but have exhausted all their paid leave accruals, are able to request additional benefits through the Leave (Transfer) Pool program (PDF). Request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Workplace accommodations may be available to you during your personal serious health condition. Important Note: An employee’s insurance and retirement coverage can be affected by their leave of absence. A member of the Benefits and Well-being unit will contact each employee to provide a counseling session during which decisions specific to the employee’s insurance and retirement benefits situation can be discussed. Employees are eligible to continue current insurance and retirement benefits while on a paid extended leave. Employee’s on an unpaid leave of absence are asked to review the eligibility notifications included in the Extended Leave of Absence form (PDF) to determine their eligibility for the continuation of benefits. -
Family Member with a Serious Health Condition
If you have a family member experiencing a serious health condition, programs are available to help you through this difficult time. Use the information below to help you determine how to best leverage the benefits available to you.
Manage Your Benefits: Family Member with a Serious Health Condition
Health Programs Ensure your covered family member (a family member enrolled within your state insurance) uses their state health insurance coverage Your health, dental, and vision insurance coverage is made for these types of situations. Coverage details can be found in PEBA’s Insurance Benefits Guide (PDF). If you need assistance with how your covered family member can use their coverage or need help with determining what is covered within your insurance plan, contact us for help. Use your medical spending account or health savings account funds Insurance doesn’t pay for all medical expenses. If you have funds in your medical spending account or health savings account, use them for qualifying family members qualifying expenses related to their illness/injury.
Understand who’s seen as a “qualifying family member” and a list of eligible expenses within the PEBA Insurance Benefits Guide (PDF), beginning on pg. 140.
Financial Programs Review your state life insurance policies covering your family members State life insurance policies are available to cover spouses and children. Ensure you are financially protected when you need it most.
Policies include provisions to provide benefits after qualifying severe injuries, not just when a death occurs.
Start the review process online in PEBA MyBenefits.
Lifestyle Programs Sick Family Leave Benefits Sick leave benefits are made for situations like this. Determine if you’re eligible for paid sick leave benefits and how you can designated 10 days per year to be used to care for your family member. Annual Leave Benefits If you’ve exhausted your sick family leave benefits, annual leave benefits may also be used for a family member’s illness/injury. Determine if you’re eligible for paid annual leave benefits and how they can be used. Grant Personal Leave Benefits In lieu of sick leave or annual leave benefits, you may be eligible for grant personal leave. Determine if you’re eligible for these paid leave benefits and how they can be used. Understand your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act You may have rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act to take time away from work to care for a family member. Learn more with the FMLA Employee Packet (PDF). Extended Leave of Absence Program If you’ve exhausted your rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act or weren’t eligible for these benefits, you may request an extended leave of absence (PDF) to care for your family member. Leave (Transfer) Pool Program Employees who are eligible for sick and annual leave benefits but have exhausted all their paid leave accruals, are able to request additional benefits through the Leave (Transfer) Pool program (PDF). -
Becoming Eligible for Medicare While Actively Working
If you are actively working at Clemson University and you are eligible for both Medicare coverage and state health coverage, determining how to manage your options can be tricky. Use the information below to help guide you through what actions you should take and how your benefits can coordinate with Medicare.
Important Note: This webpage is for informational purposes only and is provided with the understanding that Clemson University is not rendering official Medicare advice. Employees are asked to contact the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 for official information.
Manage Your Benefits: Medicare
Medicare Coverage While Actively Working Official Medicare Website Employees are asked to review pertinent information specific to their situation within the official Medicare website. PEBA Medicare Handbook PEBA has created a Medicare Handbook (PDF) to help you through the complexity of becoming eligible for Medicare benefits. Take the time to review this and ALL other Medicare publications from the Social Security Administration. A few helpful hints: Enrollment Period Medicare’s initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month of your birthday and then continues for three months past the month in which you turn 65.
If you are receiving Social Security benefits, the Social Security Administration should notify you of Medicare eligibility three months before you reach age 65. Medicare Part A starts automatically.
Medicare Part A When you apply for Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in the Part A plan. Part A is your hospital insurance plan. It covers nursing care and hospital stays, although not doctors’ fees. Part A also covers some home health services, skilled nursing care after a hospital stay and hospice care.
You likely won’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A, thanks in part to all the payroll taxes you paid while you were employed.
Learn more about what Medicare Part A covers.
Medicare Part B Part B is optional. Part B pays for a portion of your doctor visits, some home health care, medical equipment, outpatient procedures, rehabilitation therapy, laboratory tests, X-rays, mental health services, ambulance services and blood.
Part B requires that you pay a monthly premium to Medicare.
Learn more about what Medicare Part B covers.
Medicare and Active Employment If you are actively working and eligible for state health coverage due to your active employment and become eligible for Medicare benefits, you must enroll/remain enrolled in your active employee state health coverage. When you become eligible for Medicare, you may enroll in Medicare Part A and defer enrollment in Part B. In these cases, your Clemson University coverage remains the primary payer; it pays first toward your medical expenses, and Medicare pays second. You must contact the Social Security Administration to defer Part B (no action is not proper deferral of Part B coverage).
Federal law will not allow an individual eligible for employer coverage, or any person they cover, to use Medicare as their primary insurance and coverage through their employer as their secondary insurance.
If your spouse becomes eligible for Medicare and is covered on your active employee state health coverage, your spouse should enroll in Part A, but may also defer enrollment in Part B until your active employee health coverage ends. Your spouse must contact the Social Security Administration to defer Part B (no action is not proper deferral of Part B coverage).
Medicare When Employment Ends (those NOT eligible for state retiree health coverage) You must notify the Social Security Administration that you are no longer working and no longer enrolled in active employee health coverage so you can re-enroll in Medicare Part B, if you deferred it earlier. Medicare When Employment Ends (those eligible for state retiree health coverage) When you stop working and your active employee health coverage ends, you may enroll, if eligible, in retiree group health coverage within 31 days of the date your active coverage is terminated. In addition, you must notify the Social Security Administration that you are no longer working and no longer covered under your active employee health coverage so that you can re-enroll in Medicare Part B, if you deferred it earlier. -
Death of a Spouse or Child
Please allow us to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to you on the passing of your loved one. We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family and we would like to offer you support in any way we can.
There are many important aspects of your benefits that should be considered when a loved one passes and we understand it can be challenging to navigate through the various process. Please contact us so we can provide you with a dedicated Benefits Navigator who can assist and support you.
