Qualifying Events

Marriage

Things to consider

What you need to do

Health Insurance (increase to family coverage or cancel coverage to be covered by spouse) – within 60 days of marriage.

Login to MyGICLink and select qualifying events.

Dental Insurance: Increase to family coverage or keep plan as secondary individual coverage.

Visit Benefits and Wellness >Dental and Vision Care and click on the change form for your applicable union.

Update Beneficiaries

For life insurance, you can update beneficiaries through the MyGICLink portal. MSRB beneficiary change form here.

Long term disability insurance and other insurances

Long term disability insurance can be enrolled in by logging into MyGICLink. For accident insurances, short term disability visit Benefits and Wellness >Aflac.

Change name/address/W4 filing status

Login to HR/CMS employee self-service portal.

Tuition Remission

Eligible dependents are eligible for tuition remission. For information, visit Benefits and Wellness >Tuition Waivers for Employees.

Birth/Adoption

Things to consider What you need to do

Health Insurance (increase to family coverage or cancel coverage to be covered by another plan) – within 60 days of baby arrival.

Login to MyGICLink and select qualifying events.

Dental Insurance: Increase to family coverage or keep plan as secondary individual coverage.

Visit Benefits and Wellness >Dental and Vision Care and click on the change form for your applicable union.

Request Leave of Absence Initiate the leave process by going to Benefits and Wellness >Family and Medical Leaves>Request for Leave of Absence Form. Contact HR Benefits at benefits@westfield.ma.edu or 413-572-5274/8476 to help plan your leave.
Update beneficiaries For life insurance, you can update beneficiaries through the MyGICLink portal. MSRB beneficiary change form here.
Update W4 form Login to HR/CMS employee self-service portal.

Retirement

Things to consider What you need to do

Thinking about retiring or planning to retire? It is important to be informed and know what to expect when retiring from Westfield State University as a state employee. Advance planning is key to ensure a smooth process related to your retirement income, GIC retiree benefits, Medicare (if over 65), and deferred compensation options.

Retirement Planning Guide

Schedule an appointment with Melissa Cody to start planning or ask questions.

Email benefits@westfield.ma.edu or call 413-572-8476.

Leaving Employment

Things to consider What you need to do

Provide resignation notice to department supervisor, HR, and HR Benefits.

Email resignation notice to department supervisor, hr@westfield.ma.edu and benefits@westfield.ma.edu.

Health insurance Coverage ends on the last day of the month following your last day of employment. HR Benefits will email you COBRA information.
Dental Coverage Coverage ends 1st of the month following last date of employment. HR Benefits will email you COBRA information
Transferring to another state agency Email benefits@westfield.ma.edu as soon as possible to coordinate your transfer.

Annual Enrollment

If you need to update your plan elections such as health insurance you will make any changes in the MyGICLink portal. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are updated through TASC and your amount must be elected every annual enrollment. If you have no election changes, no action is needed on your end.

Looking for more information?

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General Benefit and Wellness Inquiries: