Layoff FAQs

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When will my medical insurance coverage end?

Medical, dental and prescription drug coverage will terminate at the end of the month the termination of employment occurs. Example: employment termination date is May 16th, insurance coverage will end on May 31st. Since employment termination results in the loss of State Health Benefits coverage, you may be eligible for COBRA.

What is COBRA?

COBRA is an acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It is a Federal law that provides employees and dependents who would otherwise lose coverage an opportunity to purchase health benefits for a limited time.

Who is eligible to be covered under COBRA?

Employees and dependents enrolled in State Health Benefits at the time of a "COBRA event” resulting in the loss of coverage are eligible.

When will I receive my COBRA notice?

You should receive a packet within 10-14 business days of your termination date. If you have not received a packet by this time, please contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits directly at 609-292-7524.

How do I enroll in COBRA?

The Division of Pensions and Benefits will mail COBRA instructions to employees.

Can I elect a different plan?

Yes, for example an employee enrolled in NJ DIRECT 15 may elect to enroll in one of the HMO plans under COBRA.

Can I elect a reduced level of COBRA coverage, such as going from family coverage to employee only?

Yes, however you may not increase level of coverage while on COBRA unless there is a qualifying event such as a birth or marriage.

How long may COBRA coverage continue?

Coverage may continue under COBRA for a period of 18 months in the event you are terminated from your job.

What are the COBRA rates?

Rates will be included in the COBRA packets. They can also be found online:

What is the deadline for returning a completed COBRA application to the state?

An individual has 60 days from the loss of coverage or the date of employer notification, whichever is later.

When do I pay the premium?

The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits will send you a monthly invoice. For information on the billing notice, please review Fact Sheet #30.

Where can I direct COBRA billing questions?

New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits
P.O. Box 299
Trenton, NJ 08625-0299

You may also call the Division at 609-292-7524.

Will there be a break in continuous coverage after COBRA enrollment?

No, the COBRA start date coincides with the active coverage end date.

What are my options for benefit continuation if I cannot afford COBRA?

Please visit http://www.healthcare.gov/ for information on Affordable Health Care (ObamaCare).

What happens to my life insurance?

Life insurance coverage continues for 31 days after termination of employment date.

Can I buy/convert the life insurance coverage after the 31 days?

Conversion without medical exam is available and the application for conversion must be submitted within 31 days of termination of employment

To convert, please contact the Prudential Group Life Conversion department at 1-877-889-2070. You can use the online Prudential Life Insurance calculator at:

Please refer to the policy numbers below based on your retirement plan:

  • ABP:
    • G-14800
  • PERS:
    • Contributory life group G-14800
    • Noncontributory life group G-139000
I am an ABP member, what will happen to my Long-Term Disability benefit?

Your long-term disability coverage will end on the date of termination. Unfortunately, there is no conversion option available.

I am a PERS member enrolled in the UNUM Long Term Disability benefit, when will that end?

Your coverage will end on the date of termination. A conversion privilege, without medical exam, is available and an application for conversion is required within 31 days of termination of coverage.

UNUM - Voluntary Long-Term Disability Insurance is available for members of PERS/PFRS in Administrative, Professional, or Supervisory titles and members of the Federal Retirement Systems.

For more information, please contact: Ed Marko, RHU Benefits Consultant/Officer Phone# - 1 (609) 860-7900 Cell# - (732) 690-3311 Email – edmarko@bfamerica.net

If my employment is terminated, will I receive payment for unused vacation, Administration Leave (AL), Personal Holidays (PH), Mandatory Leave (ML) or sick leave days?

Your accrued and unused Paid Leave Bank (PLB) and vacation days, will be paid at the time of separation, unless otherwise stated in your layoff letter. Unused Sick leave, AL, PH, and ML days will not be paid at termination.

I am a PERS member, can I withdraw the monies in my pension?

You have the option of withdrawing your pension contributions and ending pension membership. By withdrawing your monies, you will be forfeiting your NJ State pension credited service. If you return to work for any NJ State Agency, your prior years of service will not count. For information on how to withdraw your monies, please log on to your Member Benefits Online System Account (MBOS) via the NJ State website: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/

Please note: With your employment ending as a result of a layoff, your PERS account can remain inactive for up to 10 years.

I am an ABP member, can I withdraw the money in my retirement account?

If you are vested, you do not have to withdraw funds until you are age 70-1/2.

If you are vested and choose to withdraw funds, you are considered retired and may not enroll in a New Jersey State pension plan again.

If you have participated in ABP for less than twelve months, you will receive only your own contributions and earnings, but will not receive Rutgers’ contributions.

For information regarding your retirement account, please contact a representative from your Investment Carrier.

Rutgers (Legacy): https://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/investment-carrier-representative-contact-information

Rutgers RBHS: https://uhr.rutgers.edu/benefits/investment-carrier-representative-contact-information-legacy-rbhs-plans

As a PERS member am I eligible to retire and collect a pension?

Based on your age and years of service, you may be eligible to retire. Please refer to PERS Tier Chart below to confirm eligibility:
https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/documents/forms/sc0853-pers-tpaf-tier-chart.pdf

If you are eligible to retire, and will like to discuss further, please contact OneSource at 732-745-SERV (7378) or OneSource@rutgers.edu

Please note: Once a member retires, they will not be allowed to participate in any New Jersey State-administered retirement system.

I am in ABP, am I eligible to retire?

There is no minimum retirement age, or years of service required under the ABP. If you are eligible to retire, and will like to discuss further, please contact OneSource at 732-745-SERV (7378) or mailto:OneSource@rutgers.edu

For information regarding your retirement account, please contact a representative from your Investment Carrier.

Please note: Once a member takes a distribution, including a rollover of any amount to an IRA, the member is automatically considered retired, regardless of age, and cannot participate in any New Jersey State-administered retirement system. A minimum withdrawal of $1,000 is also required.

I have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) with HorizonBlue - Further, what will happen to my account?

Your FSA membership will end on the last day of the month that employment is terminated. There is a limited COBRA option available, directly by Further, only if the account is underspent.  Please visit www.HorizonBlue.com/enrollfsa and follow the enrollment instructions provided by Further or call 866-999-3531 on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

I have a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) with Further, what will happen to my account?

Your FSA membership will end on the last day of the month that employment is terminated. Unfortunately, there is no COBRA option offered.

I have Voluntary Tax-Savings Accounts (Deferred Compensation, 403b/ACTS, and/or SACT, how can access my account information?

If you have an account with the NJ State Employees Deferred Compensation Plan (457) please contact a Prudential Financial Advisor.

  • If you have a 403B/Additional Contributions Tax Sheltered (ACTS) account, please contact the Financial Advisor for your carrier and campus:
  • If you have Supplemental Annuity Collective Trust (SACT) please contact the Division of Pensions and Benefits at 609-292-7524 or email pensions.nj@treas.nj.gov.
COBRA Questions
Can I elect a different carrier?

Yes, for example an employee enrolled in NJ DIRECT 15 may elect to enroll in one of the HMO plans under COBRA.

Can I elect a reduced level of COBRA coverage?

Yes, however you may not increase level of coverage while on COBRA unless there is a qualifying event such as a birth or marriage.

How do I Enroll?

The Division of Pensions and Benefits will mail a COBRA instructions to employees home address.

How long may COBRA coverage continue?
  • 18 months - termination of employment, change in job status, or leave of absence
  • 29 months - if on Social Security disability status
  • 36 months - death of employee, divorce, or dependent loses eligibility status
What are the COBRA Rates?
What is COBRA?

COBRA is an acronym for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It is a Federal law that provides employees and dependents who would otherwise lose coverage an opportunity to purchase health benefits for a limited time.

What is the deadline for returning a completed COBRA application to the state?

60 days from loss of coverage or date of employer notification, whichever is later.

When do I pay the premium?

The New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits will send you a monthly invoice. For information on the billing notice, please review Fact Sheet #30 on the COBRA SHBP website.

Where can I direct COBRA billing questions?

New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits
P.O. Box 299
Trenton, NJ 08625-0299

You may also call the Division at 609-292-7524.

Who is eligible?

Employees and dependents enrolled in State Health Benefits at the time of a "COBRA event” resulting in the loss of coverage are eligible.

Will there be a break in continuous coverage after COBRA enrollment?

No, the COBRA start date coincides with the active coverage end date.

OLR Questions
I have been laid off, what are my rights?

If you have been laid off from a position covered by a collective negotiation agreement, you may be eligible for additional layoff rights. Please refer to your applicable collective negotiation agreement - https://uhr.rutgers.edu/collective-negotiations-agreements.

For more details, please contact OneSource at OneSource@Rutgers.edu or 732.745.SERV (7378).

Unemployment Questions
How do I file for unemployment?

Form BC-10

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development mandates that all employers, including Rutgers, issue Form BC-10 (Instructions for Claiming Unemployment Benefits) to employees who are separated from employment.

All sections of the form must be completed by your department before it is issued to you. If you have not received a BC-10 form, please contact your supervisor or OneSource 732-745-SERV (7378).

Please visit the Division of Unemployment Insurance website or call one of the phone numbers below based on their regional area:

  • North New Jersey: 201-601-4100
  • Central New Jersey: 732-761-2020
  • South New Jersey: 856-507-2340
  • Out-of-state claims: 888-795-6672 (you must call from a phone with an out-of-state area code)
What options do I have for other jobs at Rutgers?

Please refer to the Rutgers Employment Opportunities website and create a profile.

What options do I have for other job opportunities in NJ?

Please refer to the Career and Employment Services page.

How do I confirm my employment history?

Please contact OneSource at 732.745.SERV (7378) or OneSource@Rutgers.edu. We can provide facts pertaining to dates of employment, position(s) held and salary.

General Questions
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

Please contact OneSource at 732.745.SERV (7378) or OneSource@Rutgers.edu.

How is Tuition Reimbursement and/or Remission impacted by layoff?
How do I return university property and/or obtain my personal properties from my workstation?

Please coordinate with your supervisors, and/or HR representatives.

How is pre-paid parking being reimbursed?

Employee Refund Policies for Rutgers Employees Only

Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the DOTs office and must be accompanied by documented evidence of departure from the university. Refund request forms are available at the DOTs office, as well as at https://ipo.rutgers.edu/dots. Refund requests for gate cards will not be accepted. The parking permission will be removed from the employees account once the required documentation has been verified.

Leave of Absense Questions
If I am currently on a leave and receive a layoff notification letter will I be subject to the terms of the layoff letter?

Yes, you will still be subject to the terms in your layoff notification letter.

Can I still apply for a leave during a layoff notice period?

If you have a qualifying leave reason and you are actively scheduled to work during the notice period, you may still apply for a leave of absence for/during the notice period.

If I apply for the leave for/during the notice period and approved will I still be laid off?

If you are approved for a leave of absence, it will not change your layoff status. You will still be subject to the terms in your layoff notification letter.