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Life Events - Leave of Absence
This information is intended to inform you of medical or family leaves of absence or other university leaves of absence that may be available to you and your benefits while you are on a leave of absence without salary.
- Leaves of Absence
- New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI)
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Continuation and/or conversion of life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Temporary and long term disability
- Resources to help you
New Jersey Family Leave and Federal Family and Medical Leave
The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFL) provides unpaid leave to eligible employees for birth or adoption of a child; or to care for a spouse/civil union partner, son/daughter, parents, parent-in-law, or a person in a "parental relationship" with a serious health condition. NJFL provide for a total of 12 weeks unpaid leave entitlement in a 24-month period.
The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides unpaid leave entitlement:
- For birth, adoption, or placement of a foster child; serious illness of a spouse, son/daughter, parent, or someone who stood in loco parentis when you were a child; or your own serious illness. Leave under FMLA for these purposes may be used for up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period.
- To address certain "qualifying exigencies" for eligible employees with a spouse, son/daughter, or parent on active duty or called to active duty status in the National Guard or Reserves in support of a contingency operation. Leave under FMLA for these purposes may be used for up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period.
- To care for a covered service member who has a serious injury or illness incurred in the line of duty on active duty that may render the service member medically unfit to perform his or her duties, and for which the service member is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy; or is in outpatient status; or is on the temporary disability retired list. Leave under FMLA for these purposes may be used for up to 26 weeks in a single 12-month period.
General eligibility requirements:
- At least 12 months employment by Rutgers
- At least 1,000 hours of work in the 12 months immediately preceding the start of the leave
To request a leave under NJFL and/or FMLA, notify your supervisor, who will provide you with the required information, notices, and forms.
Other university leaves may be available to certain employees. Refer to the University Policy Library for more information about eligibility for family and medical leave and other unpaid leave. Employees represented by collective bargaining agreements should also refer to applicable articles of their bargaining unit contracts.
New Jersey Family Leave Insurance (FLI)
Family Leave Insurance is a wage-replacement program similar to New Jersey’s Temporary Disability Insurance program and replaces lost income when an employee is on an unpaid leave of absence for the care of others under certain circumstances. Eligible employees will receive two-thirds of their wages to a maximum of $561 per week for up to six weeks over a 12-month period to:
- bond with a child during the first 12 months after the child’s birth, or bond with an adopted child within the first 12 months of placement; or
- care for a family member (defined as a child, spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, or parent) with a serious health condition.
The state’s Family Leave Insurance claim form is available online and can be accessed through the Get A Form webpage For more information, visit the FAQ webpage.
Medical, Prescription Drug, and Dental Coverage
To continue medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage, you must pay required premiums.
For all leaves:
- The Benefits Enrollment section of University Human Resouces will bill you for medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage.
For leave of absence due to illness and family leave:
- You pay usual payroll deductions for the first three months of leave
- You will pay both your and Rutgers' premiums for the next nine months of leave (see chart below for rate information)
For personal leave:
- You will pay both yours and Rutgers' premiums up to 12 months
- 2012 Medical and Prescription Group Rates
Continuation of coverage under COBRA
- If coverage ends while you are on leave, continuation of coverage is offered under COBRA for up to 18 months
- You will receive a notice about continuation of coverage under COBRA at the time your coverage ends
- When you return to active status, health coverage is reinstated if enrollment forms are submitted
- For leave due to illness including maternity leave, both contributory (if applicable) and noncontributory life insurance remains in effect for one year
- For all other unpaid leaves, life insurance continues for a maximum of 93 days
- To maintain contributory life insurance (if applicable) during the 93 day period, you will pay required premiums to the Division of Payroll Services
- A conversion privilege is available without medical exam but you must apply for conversion within 31 days of termination of coverage
- Pension credited service does not accumulate during an unpaid leave
- Upon return from leave for illness, an employee may purchase pension credit for up to one year
- Upon return from personal leave, an employee may purchase pension credit for up to three months
- Additional Information on Purchasing Service Credit, visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits website
- University contributions to retirement accounts are suspended during unpaid leaves
- You can make personal payments directly to your ABP retirement account
- Contact the appropriate state-authorized investment carrier
for more information:
| AXA Equitable | 1-866-786-0072 |
| The Hartford | 1-866-490-3656 |
| ING Financial | 1-877-873-0321 |
| Met Life | 1-732-652-1334 |
| TIAA-CREF | 1-800-842-8412 |
| Valic | 1-800-448-2542 |
If you suffer a non-work-related disability, you may file a Temporary Disability Insurance claim within 30 days of the start of the disability.
- Benefit provides income replacement of up to 66% of average weekly wage for up to 26 weeks
- Maximum weekly benefit in 2012 = $572
- All accrued sick time must be used first
- Birth of a child qualifies as condition of temporary disability for the mother
To file a claim:
- Complete Part One of Disability Claim form and have your doctor complete Part Two
- Return the form to University Human Resources. UHR will complete Part Three and mail the completed form to the State Division of Temporary Disability Insurance
Long Term Disability - ABP
If you are expected to be disabled for six months or longer, you may be eligible for Long Term Disability.
- Benefit is 60% of pre-disability salary
- Medical insurance continues by paying required employee premiums
- Employee (5%) and employer (8%) contributions are made on behalf of employee
- Life insurance continues at the full amount
Disability Retirement - PERS/PFRS
Ordinary Disability Retirement is available for PERS members with 10 or more years of pension service or PFRS members with 4 or more years of pension service who become totally and permanently disabled
