University of Minnesota  Appendix

Employee Benefits Information Regarding Military Leaves of Absence

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Please use the contact section in the governing policy.

Medical, Dental, and Basic Life Insurance Coverage

The University will continue to contribute toward the cost of the employee’s current medical and dental coverage during the 15 working days of paid leave provided by state law. If the employee chooses to extend this leave through the use of earned vacation, the University will continue its contribution towards the cost of coverage during the additional days of paid leave. After the paid leave, the employee is entitled to continue medical and dental coverage during the unpaid leave for up to a maximum of 24 months at full cost (without the University’s contribution) by making payments to the University. (The 24-month maximum is pursuant to the continuation provisions of USERRA.) Within 31 days of the end of the continuation period, the employee is allowed to enroll in an individual medical conversion plan provided by the carrier, without providing evidence of good health. 

Dependent Medical and Dental Coverage

Medical and dental coverage for eligible dependents may be continued during the unpaid leave, even if the employee elects not to continue coverage. The premium cost would be the dependent portion of the family rate. Call Employee Benefits for the premium. 

Basic and Optional Life Insurance

All or a portion of the employee’s life insurance (employee, spouse, and child) may be continued for up to 24 months while on unpaid leave of absence. (The 24-month maximum is pursuant to the continuation provisions of USERRA.) Basic life and additional employee life insurance death benefits would be payable in the event of death resulting from military service in times of war and declared emergencies. However, there is an exclusion for war, declared or undeclared or any related accident, in the accidental death and dismemberment portion of the basic life and additional employee life insurance.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)

Employee and spouse partner accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance can be continued for up to 90 days while on leave. However, no claim would be paid for the employee that occurred while on active military duty or due to any related accident.

Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance

Any claims incurred while on active military duty for injuries and accidents due to war would not be eligible for payment under the short term and long term disability insurance. Coverage can be continued for up to 12 months, and non-war-related injuries or illnesses would be eligible for coverage during this period.

Claims incurred while on active military duty would not be eligible for payment under the Academic Disability Program. The University will cancel this coverage when off the payroll.

Coverage Canceled While on Leave of Absence

If the employee wishes to cancel coverage at a later date, that action may be taken. Any benefit that is canceled while off the payroll cannot be reinstated until the employee returns to active employment.

Return to Active Employment

When an employee returns to active employment (if within five years), all basic and optional insurance coverage will be reinstated automatically without proof of good health for you and your dependents. The University’s contribution will commence the first day of the payroll period including the date of return to active employment. Contact Employee Benefits immediately upon your return if you want to cancel any of your previous coverages.  

Retirement Plans

Employees covered by Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) are entitled to make up the contributions missed during the military leave, with no penalty, if repaid in the lesser of five years or three times the length of military service. The University will make up its contributions only if the employee elects to make these contributions within these special limits. The employee should contact Employee Benefits and MSRS for instructions and calculations for this service credit. 

Participants in the Faculty Retirement Plan (FRP) are entitled to make missed contributions into the plan over the lesser of five years or three times the length of military service. The University would be responsible for its portion if the employee elects to make these contributions within these special limits. The employee should contact Employee Benefits to determine the cost of this option.

Participants in the Optional Retirement Plan or 457 Deferred Compensation Plan are entitled to make up the contributions missed during the military leave over the lesser of five years or three times the length of military service. The employee has an expanded cap on contributions; the maximum annual limits do not apply during this time. The employee should contact Employee Benefits to set up this option.

Contact for Questions

It is important that employees who are called to active duty contact Employee Benefits at 612-624-8647 or 1-800-756-2363, option 2, to review coverage, make elections, and receive detailed information regarding continuation procedures. Shortly after Employee Benefits is notified of the Leave of Absence, a letter will be sent to the employee with information regarding benefits while on leave.