Life Events

When a major change occurs in your life, you may need to make changes to your benefits, personal information, or other employer records. Here, you will find a brief outline of actions to take following common life events. Certain events may also be considered qualifying events for SEGIP benefits or Life Status Changes for RSL BasicCare.  

If you aren’t sure what steps to take, or if you experience a change not listed here, then contact your university HR office or University Payroll & Benefits for help.

Name, Address, and Phone Number Changes

• If you change your name, typically you’ll need to present your new Social Security Card to confirm the change; however, the process differs by university:
  • Urbana: Contact your college or department HR representative.
  • Chicago/Springfield: Give the completed Name and SSN Change Form to your college or department HR representative.
  • System Offices: Contact System HR Services.
• Update your address and/or phone number in My Profile. Changes to your profile will also update your SEGIP benefits records and, if you are enrolled, the Prudential Long-Term Disability Plan.
• SURS: complete and return the appropriate form to SURS for changes to your name and/or address. For a name change, SURS requires a copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
• If you participate in the University 403(b) Plan, contact TIAA or Fidelity Investments to update your information.
• Update bank accounts, credit union accounts, or other personal accounts with your new information.

Marriage/Civil Union Partnership

• If you are enrolled in SEGIP benefits (health/vision, dental, life, and FSA) you may add your spouse or civil union partner to your insurance coverage on CMS MyBenefits within 60 days of the marriage, with appropriate documentation.
• If you are enrolled in RSL BasicCare you have up to 31 days following the marriage/civil union to add your spouse or civil union partner.You may need to update your spouse or civil union partner as a beneficiary for your benefit plans:
  • SEGIP Life/AD&D Insurance: Online or complete a paper form.
  • SURS: Log in to SURS to fill, print, and sign a form to be mailed to SURS.
  • University AD&D (The Hartford): Complete a beneficiary designation form and submit it to University Payroll & Benefits.
  • University 403(b) Plan: contact TIAA or Fidelity Investments.
• If your name has changed as a result of your marriage, see the Name, Address, and Phone Number Changes section above.
• Review and update your emergency contacts and personal information in My Profile.
• Review your direct deposit information and W-4 Tax Withholding information.Divorce/Separation
• Review your direct deposit information and W-4 Tax Withholding information.

Divorce/Separation

• If you participate in SEGIP, you must remove your ex-spouse or ex-partner from your SEGIP coverage on CMS MyBenefits within 60 days. If you are eligible for SEGIP coverage and lose other coverage, you may enroll within 60 days after the date of divorce.
• If you are enrolled in RSL BasicCare you must remove your former spouse or partner from coverage within 31 days following the date of divorce.If you are eligible for the RSL BasicCare plan and lose other coverage due to divorce/separation, you have up to 31 days after the date of divorce to enroll in coverage. You may wish to modify your beneficiaries for your benefit plans:
  • SEGIP Life/AD&D Insurance: Online or complete a paper form.
  • SURS: Log in to SURS to fill, print, and sign a form to be mailed to SURS.
  • University AD&D (The Hartford): Complete a beneficiary designation form and submit it to University Payroll & Benefits.
  • University 403(b) Plan: contact TIAA or Fidelity Investments.
• If your name has changed as a result of a divorce or separation, see the Name, Address, and Phone Number Changes section above.
• Review and update your emergency contacts and personal information in My Profile.
• Review your direct deposit information and W-4 Tax Withholding information.

Birth/Adoption of a Child

• If you are enrolled in SEGIP benefits (health/vision, dental, life, and FSA) you may add your new child to your insurance coverage on CMS MyBenefits within 60 days of the birth or adoption, with appropriate documentation.
• Consider enrolling in the SEGIP Dependent Care Assistance Plan to help offset child care costs.
• If you are enrolled in RSL BasicCare you have up to 31 days following the birth/adoption to add your child(ren).
• Consider adding child life insurance coverage?
• You may wish to modify your beneficiaries for your benefit plans:
  • SEGIP Life/AD&D Insurance: Online or complete a paper form.
  • SURS: Log in to SURS to fill, print, and sign a form to be mailed to SURS.
  • University AD&D (The Hartford): Complete a beneficiary designation form and submit it to University Payroll & Benefits.
  • University 403(b) Plan: contact TIAA or Fidelity Investments.
• Review your direct deposit information and W-4 Tax Withholding information.

Death of Spouse/Dependent

• If you are eligible for SEGIP benefits (health/vision, dental, life, and FSA) you may need to make changes to your benefits on CMS MyBenefits within 60 days.
• If you are enrolled in or eligible for RSL BasicCare you have up to 31 days to make changes.
• You may wish to modify your beneficiaries for your benefit plans:
  • SEGIP Life/AD&D Insurance: Online or complete a paper form.
  • SURS: Log in to SURS to fill, print, and sign a form to be mailed to SURS.
  • University AD&D (The Hartford): Complete a beneficiary designation form and submit it to University Payroll & Benefits.
• Review and update your emergency contacts and personal information in My Profile.
• Review your direct deposit information and W-4 Tax Withholding information.
• Employee Assistance Programs are available to provide you and your family with confidential help following difficult life events.

Termination/Separation from the University

• Follow the Employee Exit Checklist to ensure that you and your department have taken all necessary steps for a smooth separation.
• Take action on any retirement and investment plans that you are enrolled in – see Separation Preparation.
• Unused vacation time and any compensable sick time (if eligible) will be paid out after your final paycheck.
  
  • You have the option to direct a portion of the payout to your 403(b) or 457 account if you submit a request 60 days before your separation.
  • You cannot extend the date of separation by using accrued vacation or sick leave.

Retirement

• Consider your financial situation, and make sure you are financially prepared to retire:
  • Use the SURS online benefit estimator, to estimate your benefits in retirement.
  • Contact SURS to set up a counseling appointment.
  • TIAA and Fidelity also have tools and calculators to help with retirement preparation.
  • Consider consulting with a financial advisor to discuss your income in retirement.
• Review the SURS retirement preparation guide for the plan you are participating in (Traditional/Portable or Self-Managed Plan).
• Provide your planned retirement date to your unit and/or to your university HR office. Consult with your HR office for additional guidance and resources.
• Consider making additional contributions to your 403(b) and/or 457 account:
  • While still employed, you may be eligible to make extra “catch-up” contributions if you are age 50 or older. Allow at least 60 days for new enrollments or changes to take effect. Contact UPB for additional information.
  • You may be allowed to direct a portion of payouts for any unused vacation time and any compensable sick time (if eligible) to your 403(b) or 457 account. Such deferral requests must be made to UPB at least 60 days prior to your last day of employment.
• Retirees may not return to work for any SURS-covered employer (including the University of Illinois System) for at least 60 days. See Return To Work – 60 Day Rule.