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Military Leave

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
The following information answers basic questions for Clemson University employees who are called to active duty with the armed forces or who voluntarily enlist. These are general questions and answers regarding military leave and benefits. This document should not be used as an official interpretation of any federal or state law or University policy that may apply. 

It is important that affected Clemson University employees contact the military to determine what benefits will be provided by the military during active duty prior to making changes to Clemson University/State of South Carolina benefits. For some employees, it may be beneficial to drop University coverage during active duty, while other employees may need to continue current University benefits. 

The FAQ's are divided into the following categories:


 
General Military Leave Questions
  • Is there a limit to the amount of military leave an employee has a right to take? 
  • What are valid military orders? 
  • Is an employer required to pay an employee who is on military leave of absence? 
  • Does an employee have reinstatement rights following voluntary military service? 
  • How does military service affect employee status or seniority in the workplace? 
  • Does an employee accrue vacation or medical/sick days from the employer while on military leave of absence? 
Life Insurance
  • Can I continue my Basic Optional Life and Optional Life Insurance at Clemson University during my active duty? 
  • Will Basic and Optional Life plans pay benefits in the event that the covered person expires as a result of an act of war? 
  • Can I continue my insurance with Travelers/Prudential while on military leave? 
  • Will the Travelers Life Insurance Plan/Prudential Life Insurance Plan pay benefits in the event that the covered person expires as a result of an act of war? 
  • May I drop, discontinue, or suspend my life insurance while I am on military leave?
  • Who do I contact to continue or discontinue my life insurance benefits?
  • Upon my return to employment at Clemson University, what do I need to do to reinstate my optional life insurance benefits with The Travelers? Prudential?
Other Benefits
  • How do I maintain my Clemson University annuities while I am on military leave? 
  • How does being on active duty affect the MoneyPlu$ plan?
Disability
  • Will I be covered by the University's Long Term Disability (LTD) Plan while I am away on Military Leave? 
  • Who do I contact to continue or discontinue my State Basic Long Term Disability (LTD) plan or the State Supplemental Long Term Disability insurance benefits? 
  • Does Long Term Disability provide benefits for disabilities arising from any act of war?
  • Since Long Term Disability does not provide benefits for disabilities arising from any act of war, what coverage would I have in the event that I became totally disabled while on active duty? 
Health and Dental Plans
  • How do I continue my Clemson University health and dental insurance benefits while I am on active duty?
  • What happens to my health and dental insurance benefits if  I am in a leave without pay status? 
  • What happens to my coverage when I am no longer in a paid leave status? 
  • Who do I contact to continue or discontinue my Clemson University State health and dental plans? 
  • How long may I continue to remain enrolled in the Clemson University State of South Carolina health plans? 
  • May I drop, discontinue, or suspend my health and dental insurance benefits while I am on military leave?
  • Who do I contact to continue or discontinue my AFLAC insurance programs benefits?
  • If I were called to active duty and was unable to come to the Benefits Office and make changes, what other means are available for me to make changes related to my health and dental insurance benefits?
  • If I am called to active duty prior to or during the October open enrollment, will I be allowed to make fall enrollment changes?
  • Upon my return to Clemson University employment, what do I need to do to reinstate my health and dental benefits if I should drop them as a results of my military duty? Also when would they be reinstated?
  • If I am an early retiree on the University's health plan, how will my health and dental insurance be affected by being on active duty with the armed services?
  • Will the time I am on military leave count towards my years of service for certain insurance eligibilities?
Retirement
  • How do I maintain my Clemson University retirement benefits while I am on military leave?
  • May I drop, discontinue, or suspend my retirement benefits while I am on military leave?
  • Who do I contact to continue or discontinue my life retirement benefits?
  • If I were called to active duty and was unable to come to the Benefits Office and make changes, what other means are available for me to make changes to my retirement benefits?
  • Can I re-enroll for my retirement benefits when I return from military leave? 
  • Upon my return to Clemson University employment, when will my retirement benefits be reinstated if I should drop them as a result of my military leave?
  • Will the time I am on active duty count toward my years of service for the purpose of retirement calculations? 
  • How do I continue to contribute to my retirement plan?
  • If I do not send contributions to my retirement plan while on an unpaid leave, will I be able to make up any contributions that I missed while on leave?
  • Will the time I am on active duty count toward my years of service for the purpose of retirement calculations?


Please direct questions to the appropriate person found on the Contact page
Last Updated: February 23, 2004