Individual full-time employees and part-time employees who work at least 17 ½ hours per week are eligible for health insurance.  Coverage for your spouse, dependents and same gender domestic partner is also available with the State contributing towards the premium cost and the employee paying the balance through payroll deductions.  All State employees have the opportunity to select a health insurance plan at the time of hire and once again each year during an open enrollment period, usually during the month of May.

Every employee should carefully look at the health care options offered and be sure to elect one that best meets his or her individual and/or family circumstances. Plan description booklets, enrollment/change forms, and provider directories are available in your local Human Resources office.

Health insurance coverage generally becomes effective the first day of the second full month following application, with the premiums paid one month in advance. For example, if you applied for coverage during the month of May, you would be covered as of July 1.  This would also apply to any change in coverage, such as adding or canceling family members.  It is critically important that you add any new family members to your coverage, as they become eligible, by completing the proper health insurance forms. If you forget, the family member will not be covered by your health insurance and you may have to wait until the next open enrollment period to add the new member. New employees must review the health insurance planner and choose the medical and dental options that best meet your needs. Visit eBenefits to make your benefit elections. If you prefer, you can still complete the Core-CT generated form, which you can get from your agency benefits/payroll specialist.

• Complete your enrollment online or return the completed form within 31 calendar days of the date you were hired. Paper forms should be faxed, emailed or dropped off at your agency benefits (payroll) office.
• If you enroll as a newly hired employee, your coverage begins the first day of the month following your hire date. For example, if you’re hired on October 15, your coverage begins November 1.

Continuation of coverage following termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct is available to eligible employees, their spouse or former spouse, and dependent children, for periods of 18 to 36 months, depending on the qualifying event.  Those who elect to continue coverage will be responsible for the full premium payment. Information and premium rates for continued coverage can be obtained by contacting your local Human Resources office. Dental coverage is a separate election and can be combined with any of the primary health plans listed above. Dependent coverage for dental expires at age 19, whether a student or not. Continuation of coverage is available, but at the full premium rate.

CONSOLIDATED OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT (COBRA)

Under federal law, the State of Connecticut is required to offer covered employees and covered family members the opportunity to elect a temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates, when coverage under the plan would otherwise end due to certain qualifying events. This rate includes the employee's share, the State's share and a 2% administrative fee. Examples of qualifying events are: termination, lay off, leave of absence without pay; death of employee or retiree, divorce or legal separation and dependent child no longer qualifying as dependent. Please contact your Payroll Benefits Unit if you have any questions.

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

Group Life Insurance is an option available to permanent employees with six (6) months of continuous State service.  The amount of coverage is based upon your annual salary and premiums are paid bi-weekly through payroll deductions at the rate of $.20 for each $1,000 of life insurance. You must elect or decline such coverage at the time of hire.  If you elect coverage it is effective after six(6) months of employment.  If you choose to obtain coverage at a later time you may be required to provide evidence of insurability.

This plan provides term life insurance for the duration of your State employment and terminates upon resignation.  Upon retirement, your Group Life is continued at a reduced amount of coverage at no cost to you.  For more details on Group Life Insurance Coverage visit the Office of the State Comptroller Web site at State of Connecticut - Office of the State Comptroller - Group Life Insurance for Employees of the State of Connecticut - Table of Contents.

RETIREMENT

The State of Connecticut provides retirement benefits through the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) that is comprised of several different retirement plans.  Your collective bargaining unit and date of hire determine eligibility for participation in one of these plans.

On line copies of the Tier I, Tier II and Tier IIA, Tier III and Tier IV retirement booklets as well as other helpful information regarding retirement is available at the Comptroller's web site at Retiree Resources (ct.gov). 

In certain circumstances death benefits are payable to a surviving spouse and various payment options that allow continuation of retirement benefits to your surviving spouse or designated beneficiary if you die after retirement benefits have started.  It is very important that you notify the Department of any change in your retirement beneficiary.  For reporting this, Form CO-999- DESIGNATION OF RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFICIARY FORM FOR ACTIVE/INACTIVE MEMBERS, is available from your local Human Resources office.

The Retirement Division of the State Comptroller's Office in Hartford and the DAS Benefits and Leaves Retirement POD provides retirement counseling.  If you are considering retirement in the near future, it is very important that you contact the DAS Benefits and Leaves Retirement POD two to three months prior to your anticipated retirement date so that the necessary paperwork can be completed in a timely manner. You may contact the DAS Benefits and Leaves Retirement POD at DAS benefitsandleavespod5@ct.gov. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in a delay in receiving your retirement benefits.

LONGEVITY PAY

Each bargaining unit employee with permanent status who has completed at least ten full years of State service is eligible to receive a semi-annual lump sum longevity payment.  The amount of each payment is based on your length of service and salary group as of April 1 or October 1 of the current year.

You must be on the active payroll as of October 1 or April 1 in order to receive a longevity payment. If you are otherwise qualified but are on a leave of absence without pay on those dates, you will receive your longevity payment when you return to work.  If you are terminated or resign prior to those dates, you will not receive a longevity payment. However, retiring employees are allowed a pro-rated longevity payment based on service from the preceding payment date to their retirement date.

Military war service as defined by Conn. Gen. Statutes Section 27-103 is creditable for longevity purposes.  In order to be credited for this time you must submit a non--returnable copy of your discharge papers (DD-214) to your local Human Resources office.

For further information consult your collective bargaining agreement or your local Payroll Benefits unit.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

All permanent State employees have the option of deferring a portion of their income by payroll deduction.  The primary purpose of a Deferred Compensation Plan is to allow the employee to set aside a portion of salary for retirement and reduce their gross taxable income. Federal income taxes are not paid on these deferrals until they are withdrawn.  Interest and dividends are also not taxed as they accumulate.  Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code sets an upper limit on such deferred earnings.  Contributions can be taken out of the Plan when the employee retires, leaves State employment, or under some emergency financial situations.  For more information on deferring compensation, call the Plan Administrator at (860) 702-3543, or visit the Comptroller's web site at State of Connecticut Deferred Compensation Plan Information and click on State of Connecticut Deferred Compensation Plan Information.

SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS

Following is a summary of benefits available through the State of Connecticut Supplemental Benefits Program.  All benefits are available on a voluntary basis and are paid entirely by the employee through the convenience of payroll deduction.  If you are interested in more detailed information on any of the programs please contact the agents listed to obtain more information regarding the benefits and the enrollment process.

Bear in mind that both the available benefits and the authorized vendors are subject to revision.  You can get a list of current offerings from your local Human Resources office or access it on line at Supplemental Benefits - Care Compass (ct.gov)

Short Term Disability Insurance**  Two vendors offer this product

Colonial Supplemental Insurance Company (800) 884-0689 or email ColonialHR@Colcapitol.com On the web: visityouville.com/StateofCT. 

Eligibility: Employees are eligible to enroll on their first day of employment, provided they work at least 17.5 hours per week and meet the issue-age requirements of 17-69 years of age. 

Available to full-time, active employees working 20 or more hours per week, this product protects against the short-term loss of income due to an on the job or off the job covered accident or illness.

Lincoln National- (866) 858-1171 

Available to Employees are eligible to enroll on their first day of employment, provided they work at least 17.5 hours per week.

Medical Life Insurance company - (866) 858-1171

Available to full-time, active employees working 20 or more hours per week, this product protects against the short-term loss of income due to an off the job covered accident or illness.

Long Term Disability Insurance** One vendor offers this product

The Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company - (888) 723-8583 or 203-634-2829 or email USICT.SCEVLTD@usi.biz 

Available to Employees working at least 17.5 hours per week are eligible to enroll for coverage on their first day of employment. 

Auto & Homeowners Insurance  Three vendors offer this product

Liberty Mutual Insurance Company - (800) 225-8281
http://www.libertymutual.com/stateofct

Farmers Insurance Phone: (800)438-6381
http://www.myautohome.farmers.com/

Travelers Phone: (888) 695-4640 (new enrollment) (800) 842-5075 (existing clients)
http://www.travelers.com/ct

Identity Theft Protection One vender offers this product 

Norton LifeLock- (844) 698-8640 (option 2) or stateofct.exelsiorenroll.com 

Active employees are eligible for Norton LifeLock benefits using payroll deduction (excluding those paid on the Special Bi-Weekly pay cycle). State employees who retire or separate employment may transition or port the policy to a similar retail benefit with Norton LifeLock.  

*Open enrollment periods are conducted for these benefits.  Eligible employees will be allowed to enroll during their agency's open enrollment period without the need for medical underwriting or a physical examination, subject to certain coverage limitations.  This privilege will be extended to new employees hired after the open enrollment period concludes.

Note: The definition of a full-time, active employee may vary by vendor.  Please contact vendors for eligibility requirements.

*Domestic Partners are defined as:  At least 18 years of age, of the same sex, have lived together at least 12 months, are not married to someone else and are jointly responsible for maintaining a common household.

** Open enrollment periods are conducted for these benefits.  Eligible employees will be allowed to enroll during their agency's open enrollment period without the need for medical underwriting or a physical examination, subject to certain coverage limitations.  This privilege will be extended to new employees hired after the open enrollment period concludes.

***Grandchildren who are residents of New York and under the age of 14 ½ are not eligible.

Additional voluntary benefits and programs such as the Connecticut State Employees Credit Union, the State Employees Campaign for Charitable Giving, Dependent Care Assistance Program and YMCA membership are available through payroll deductions.  For further information contact your local Human Resources office.