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Life Events - Leave Of Absence
This information is intended to inform you of your benefits while you are on a leave of absence without salary. Refer to the University Policy Library for more information about eligibility for family leave and other unpaid leave.
About Family Leave
- The New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFL) provides for a total of 12 weeks unpaid leave entitlement in a 24-month period. Leave under NJFL can be used for birth or adoption of a child; serious health condition of a spouse/civil union partner, son/daughter, parent, parent-in-law, or a person in a “parental relationship.”
- The Federal Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides unpaid leave entitlement of 12 weeks in a 12-month period. Leave under FMLA can be used 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.
- Eligibility requirements:
- At least 12 months employment by Rutgers
- At least 1000 hours of work in the 12 months immediately preceding the start of the leave
- To apply for family leave for childbirth, adoption, or foster care complete an Certification of Health Care Provider Form for Birth, Adoption, or Placement of a Foster Child and provide it to your supervisor. You can request a form by contacting University Human Resources at 732-932-3020.
- Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
- Continuation and/or conversion of life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Special Military Leave Policy for Employees Called to Active Duty
- Temporary and long term disability
- Resources to help you
Medical, Prescription Drug, and Dental Coverage
To continue medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage, you must pay required premiums.
For all leaves:
- The Division of Payroll Services will bill you for medical and prescription drug coverage
- You will not be billed for dental coverage. You must contact Payroll Services at 732-445-2599 to arrange for payment
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
For personal leave:
- You will pay both yours and Rutgers' premiums up to 12 months
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:
| AIG-Valic | 1-800-448-2542 |
| AXA Equitable | 1-866-786-0856 |
| The Hartford | 1-800-243-7782, ext. 54400 |
| ING Financial | 1-877-873-0321 |
| Met Life | 1-800-545-0108 |
| TIAA-CREF | 1-800-842-8412 |
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 2008 = $524
- 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
