Benefit Enrollment Deadlines

To obtain coverage for you and your eligible dependents, you must enroll in your benefits within the election period.  The election coverage you choose, including waiving benefits, will remain in effect until the next open enrollment unless you experience a qualified family status change. Changes must be made within 60 days of the qualifying event. 

Qualified Family Status Change Examples

New Eligible Dependent

  1. Marriage
  2. Birth
  3. Adoption or placement for adoption
  4. A dependent becomes your eligible tax exemption

Loss of Spouse

  1. Divorce
  2. Annulment
  3. Death

Loss of Dependent

  1. Death
  2. No longer eligible (over the age of 26)

Changes in Employment Status

  1. Yourself
  2. Spouse
  3. Eligible Dependent

Deadlines

Insurance Type Election Deadline No Election Received by Deadline
Health Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no health coverage or prescription drug coverage. 
State Life Insurance through Minnesota Life Anytime Must apply within 31-days for automatic approval - can apply anytime after this but will be subject to underwriting.
Dental Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no dental coverage.
Accident Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no accident coverage.
Cancer Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no cancer coverage.
Critical Care Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no critical care coverage.
Disability Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no disability coverage.  If applying during open enrollment, you will be subject to underwriting. 
Flexible Spending Accounts 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no flexible spending account coverage.
Long-Term Care Insurance Anytime Applications during the first 31-days of employment are subject to limited underwriting.  After the 31-day period, subject to full underwriting.
Term Life Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no term-life coverage. If applying during open enrollment you will be subject to underwriting.
Vision Insurance 31 days from hire date Failure to submit election within the 31-day deadline will result in no vision coverage.
Retirement - PERS 30 days from hire date PERS-Retirement is mandatory for all PERS eligible employees.
Retirement - ORP 30 days from hire date ORP eligible employees - failure to submit election within the 30-day deadline will result in mandatory PERS retirement
403 B Optional Retirement Anytime 403 B eligible employees can contact the 403 B vendors anytime.
MS Deferred Compensation Anytime MS Deferred Compensation eligible employees can contact Ms Deferred Compensation Office anytime.
Qualifying Life Event 60 days from QLE date Failure to submit election forms within 60 days of the qualifying life event will result in no change in coverage. Your next available opportunity to make changes will be during the annual open enrollment period in October.