As you leave employment with Washington State University, the following are some topics we encourage you to review to ensure you are aware of how your separation from the university impacts your benefits and retirement program(s). Human Resource Services - Benefits staff members are available to answer your questions, please contact us at (509) 335-4521 or hrs@wsu.edu.
Medical and Dental Coverage
Your medical and dental coverage ends on the last day of the month in which you are paid for at least 8 hours or more*. You may be eligible for continuation of your medical and/or dental coverage for at least 18 months (up to 29 months under provisions due to an Involuntary Separation/Termination). The State's Health Care Authority in Olympia will mail a continuation of coverage packet to your home address. You have 60 days from the date your coverage ends to pursue this benefit.
In the event your spouse or qualified domestic partner works for WSU, they have the option to add you and any eligible dependents you may have been carrying on their insurance as a dependent for a lower premium rate than the self-pay rates. You have 60 days from the end of your coverage to pursue this option.
*8 hours of employment may not generate enough compensation to cover your monthly premiums. Outstanding premiums are still the responsibility of the separating employee.
Retirement Plans (including Voluntary Investments Programs)
You have several options regarding your retirement account upon separation from employment, which could include leaving your funds in the account; rolling-over funds into another investment vehicle; or withdrawing some or all of your retirement funds. It is strongly recommended that you contact the retirement plan directly and speak with a tax advisor to understand the implications of your choice, such as taxes, possible penalties, etc. The following is contact information for the various retirement vendors:
TIAA-CREF (for Regular and Voluntary Accounts) Contact TIAA-CREF at 1(800) 842-2776 or visit their website at
www.tiaa-cref.org for additional information.
Department of Retirement Systems (PERS & LEOFF Plans) Contact the DRS at 1(800) 547-6657 or visit the website at
www.drs.wa.gov. For specific information to take into consideration before deciding to withdraw/rollover your contributions, go to
www.drs.wa.gov/Forms/member and click on “Withdrawals”.
Deferred Compensation Program Contact DCP at (888) 327-5596 or visit their website at
www.drs.wa.gov/dcp for additional information.
In the event you are eligible for retirement, contact HRS-Benefits and your retirement plan to review your options.
Life Insurance
Life insurance coverage ceases after your employment ends, see chart below for additional information. When both husband and wife or both qulified domestic partners are covered WSU employees, and one employee's coverage terminates, in-force life insurance may be transferred, without evidence of insurability, to the remaining insured employee's life insurance. Please contact a Human Resource Services - Benefits staff member at (509) 335-4521 or
hrs@wsu.edu for additional information on transferring life insurance.
| Termination of Employee Coverage | This web page provides detailed information on when life insurance coverage ends for a covered employee. |
| Termination of Dependent Coverage | This web page provides detailed information on when life insurance coverage ends for a covered dependent. |
| Conversion of Life Insurance | The WSU life insurance policy contains a conversion privilege allowing insured employees, and covered dependents to convert their group life insurance to a non-participating individual life insurance policy, without proof of good health, when coverage terminates. You must apply and pay for the first premium within 31 days following the end of your appointment. |
Long Term Disability Insurance
Both the optional and basic long term disability (LTD) coverage cease after your employment ends, see chart below for additional information.
Flexible Spending Account
An FSA is an employee benefit, so coverage in the FSA typically ends when your employment ends. This means you can claim expenses, up to the amount of funds that are available, incurred during your employment. Generally you cannot claim any expenses incurred after you leave employment unless you continue coverage under Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) or WAC 182-12-133. If you are eligible to continue coverage under WAC 182-12-133 or COBRA, you may extend your period of coverage so you may claim expenses incurred after your employment ends. To do this, contact ASIFlex within 60 days from the end of your employment. If you elect to continue your FSA coverage, your contributions will be made on a post-tax basis. For additional information contact ASIFlex at 1(800) 659-3035 or asi@asiflex.com.
| FSA Guide | This ASIFlex publication provides detailed information about your Flexible Spending Account, when your employment ends (pages 10-12). |
Dependent Care Assistance Program
You may continue to incur reimbursable expenses (to the extent of your account balance) for the remainder of the calendar year until your available funds are exhausted. For additional information contact ASIFlex at 1(800) 659-3035 or asi@asiflex.com.
| Program Summary | This ASIFlex publication provides information about your Dependent Care Assistance Program. |
Liberty Mutual Auto/Home Insurance
Your group insurance discount rate will end after your employment ends. For information about continuing your coverage and making adjustments in premium payments, contact Liberty Mutual at 1(800) 295-3753.
Leave Payoff (for employees who accrue annual and/or sick leave)
If your appointment is eligible for annual leave payout, WSU will process the leave payout after your leave/time reports are received from your department and audited. Sick leave is not eligible for payout, unless a qualified employee is retiring from the University. For additional information contact HRS at (509) 335-4521 or
hrs@wsu.edu.
Address Changes
It is important to update your address online at
www.my.wsu.edu. This will ensure that WSU is able to mail any important information, such as your W2 form. Contact TIAA-CREF and the DRS directly (at the phone numbers listed above) to report the updated address for retirement accounts, and future mailings from them.
