Frequently Asked Questions

• Employment
• Health and Dental Benefits
• Retirement
• Life Insurance
• Tuition Benefits
• Credit Union
• Sick and Vacation Times
• Leaves of Absence
• Family Changes
• Disability

Employment

If I have a question regarding my paycheck, whom should I contact?

You should contact your human resources representative if you think that there is a problem with your paycheck.

I am not having enough taxes withheld. How can I change my W-4?

To make any changes in your withholdings, you need to complete a new W-4 Form. After the form is returned to Human Resources, it will be submitted to Payroll for the next pay period.

When am I eligible to apply for another position?

To be considered for a transfer or promotion, you must be satisfactorily employed for at least six months in your present position.

What is the process for applying for another position at Lesley?

All open positions are posted on the Lesley University Web site. To be considered for a transfer or promotion, you must be satisfactorily employed for at least six months in your present position.

If you are interested in pursuing an opening, you should complete an on-line job application, unless there are instructions that state otherwise accompanying the job posting. All transfers and promotions will be coordinated through Human Resources.

If you are chosen to interview for a position, you should inform your current supervisor before meeting with the supervisor of the department where the opening exists.

If an internal employee is selected to fill the open position, the old and new supervisors will negotiate a transfer date.

If I apply for a new position within the University, am I required to inform my current supervisor?

If you are chosen to interview for a position, you should inform your current supervisor before meeting with the supervisor of the department where the opening exists.

Health and Dental Benefits

If I have not decided on a doctor or a dentist yet, can I still hand in my enrollment forms and decide later?

You must indicate the name of your Primary Care Physician (PCP) and/or your Primary Care Dentist (PCD) (for DeltaCare) when enrolling in health and/or dental insurance. We are unable to process the form(s) with the health and dental providers without this information. You may change either your PCP or your PCD at any time by calling Tufts (800) 462-0224, or DeltaCare (800) 327-6277 directly.

What do I do if I do not receive my health or dental insurance cards?

If your cards do not arrive within three weeks after your completed enrollment forms are received by Human Resources, please contact customer service at Tufts (800) 462-0224, DeltaCare (800) 327-6277 or DeltaPremier (800) 872-0500 directly.

How do I change my Primary Care Physician?

Contact your health insurance carrier, whose telephone number is on the back of your identification card.

When can I change my health, dental, or flexible spending benefits elections?

You are able to enroll in health, dental and flexible spending (reimbursement accounts) benefits within thirty days of your date of hire or, you can make changes to your benefits elections during the annual open enrollment period, which usually occurs during November for changes that take effect the following January 1. There may be certain qualifying events (e.g., birth of a child, divorce) that may allow you to make changes during the year. Please contact your human resources representative for more information.

Are acupuncture and chiropractic services (e.g.) covered by my health plan?

You can contact Tufts (800) 462-0224 to determine whether certain services and/or procedures are covered by insurance. Additionally, the customer service number for the insurer is on the back of your insurance ID card.

What happens when I retire?

Currently, Lesley does not offer any retiree health or dental benefits to employees, other than the required COBRA coverage offered to employees upon termination of employment from the University.

What happens if I become totally disabled?

Our insurance carrier for long-term disability is Aetna Life Insurance Company. Long-term disability benefits partially replace your income if you become totally or partially disabled.

The period of time that you need to be continuously or partially disabled before your long term disability benefits are payable (also know as your elimination period) is 90 days. If your disability is approved under the requirements outlined by Aetna, you could receive up to 60 percent of your total monthly earnings. The maximum monthly benefit you could receive is $9,000.

If you have an extended illness, contact your human resources representative about the process for applying for long-term disability insurance.

How long will my benefits continue?

The amount of time your long-term disability benefits will continue depends on the age at which your disability begins. Typically if you become disabled at age 59 or younger and have been approved for a long-term disability benefit from Aetna, your benefit will continue until age 65. Note that Aetna will on occasion ask you and/or your physicians for more information or updates regarding your illness, treatments, etc. Aetna reserves the right at any time to discontinue your benefit payments if it is found that you no longer meet eligibility criteria to receive a long-term disability benefit. Refer to the Summary Plan Description available in the Human Resources Department for more information about the length of benefits and eligibility criteria.

How and when do I enroll in Medicare?

At or around age 65, you should contact the Social Security Administration or call (800) 633-4227 to find how and when to enroll in Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). Medicare is typically available at the beginning of the month you turn 65. Most people get Medicare Part A automatically when turning age 65. Additionally, many people do not need to pay a premium for Medicare Part A because they or their spouse was paying Medicare taxes while working. If you are working at age 65 and are already receiving health benefits through your employer, you can continue with your employer-sponsored coverage and Medicare Part A will become the "second payer" (paying some charges not covered by your employer-provided plan). In terms of electing Medicare Part B, (Hospital Insurance) your initial enrollment period and associated fees depend on your employment status and time at which you elect Medicare Part B. Contact the Social Security Administration or call (800) 633-4227 directly for more information on this benefit. You can also go to http://www.medicare.gov for more information about Medicare.

What happens if I die when I am a member of the plan?

Your enrolled dependents will be able to continue their coverage through COBRA for a period of 18 to 36 months.

What happens if I am actively employed when I reach age 65?

If you are actively employed by Lesley at age 65, your membership in your Lesley group health or dental plan will continue as your primary insurance. You may delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without a penalty as long as you remain covered under the Lesley University Health Plan.

At or around age 65, you should contact the Social Security Administration or call (800) 633-4227 to enroll in Medicare Part A and to receive additional information about other types of benefits that you may be eligible for.

What happens if I take a leave of absence?

If you are planning to take a leave of absence, please contact your human resources representative for an explanation of the impact of your leave on receiving health insurance. If applicable, your human resources representative can also discuss termination and re-enrollment in Lesley's health insurance program. Note: A leave of absence may be considered a qualifying event and as such, may enable you to drop your coverage for a period of time.

For a leave of absence covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), any health or dental insurance benefits (and associated costs) you elected before the commencement of the leave will continue on the same basis as before the leave began. You will be required to make your usual insurance premium payments, and the University will make its required contribution. If you are in a paid status during your FMLA leave, this amount will be payroll deducted per usual. If you go into an unpaid status at any time during your FMLA leave, you will be required to submit payments to Lesley University to cover the costs associated with your insurance coverage.

What happens if my leave is not covered by FMLA?

If you are out on leave of absence not covered by FMLA, you are responsible for the full cost of any benefits you have elected (i.e. the employee and employer subsidy). Please contact your human resources representative for more information.

What happens when my employment ends?

Your health and dental insurance coverage ends the last day of the month in which you terminate employment from the University. At that time you have the option of electing COBRA insurance for you and your dependents for a period of 18 to 36 months. Please see our section on COBRA Benefits for more information.

Retirement

How do I sign up for the retirement plan (TIAA-CREF)?

If you would like to enroll in a Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA) or if you are eligible to enroll in Lesley's Retirement Annuity (RA) through TIAA-CREF, contact your human resources representative who will send you an information packet. Once you have completed the enrollment paperwork and decided on your contribution allotments, you and your representative can discuss the necessary paperwork for payroll deductions.

How do I change the amount I am contributing to my TIAA-CREF account?

Please contact your human resources representative who will assist you in filling out the paperwork necessary to make this change. You can make changes to your contributions up to four times in one calendar year.

How do I change the allocation of my retirement plan funds?

Contact TIAA-CREF at (800) 842-2776 to make any changes in fund allocation.

How do I change my beneficiary designations for TIAA-CREF?

Contact TIAA-CREF at (800) 842-2776 to make any changes in your choice of beneficiary.

What happens if I take a leave of absence?

If you are on a paid leave of absence, both your and Lesley's contributions will continue on the same basis as when you were actively at work. If you are on an unpaid leave of absence; however, all contributions will cease.

What happens when I leave the university?

Your participation in the retirement plan terminates at the end of the month in which employment terminates. Nevertheless, TIAA-CREF will maintain your account until retirement age is reached, unless instructed otherwise by you. If you want to make a withdrawal from the plan upon termination and are not at the required retirement age, you will be responsible for paying any penalty fees to the IRS. Rolling over your account to a new employer's retirement plan might be an option for you. Consult with TIAA-CREF and the new employer's human resources department for a description of the rules and regulations on rolling over a 403(b) account.

Life Insurance

How do I change my beneficiary designations for my life insurance?

Contact Human Resources at (617) 349-8784 so that a new Beneficiary Election Form can be sent to you. After completing the form, return it to Human Resources where it will reside in your file.

Tuition Benefits

How many graduate-level tuition remission credits can I take before I am taxed?

For the 2006-2007 Academic Year, you can typically take 9 credits before encountering a tax liability. If you are in an off-campus program or are in the Independent Studies program, please contact Human Resources, as your information may be different.

Credit Union

How do I sign up for the credit union?

If you are interested in establishing an account through University Credit Union (UCU), please call or email the Benefits Coordinator who handles this at (617) 349-8783. Once you complete the UCU payroll deduction form and return it to the UCU, the credit union will communicate with Lesley's Payroll Department and your account will be established.

Sick and Vacation Time

If I am a monthly paid employee, how do I find out my vacation or sick balance?

Contact lfc@mail.lesley.edu for this information.

If I am a bi-weekly paid employee, how do I find out my vacation or sick balance?

These amounts are visible on your paycheck.

Leaves of Absence

When am I eligible to take a Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)? How do I apply?

If you have been employed at Lesley for twelve months, not necessarily consecutively, and have worked 1250 hours in the last year, you are eligible for FMLA. FMLA may be taken in the event of:

• the birth/adoption and subsequent care of your own child;
• the placement of a foster child;
• the need to care for or to provide comfort to your child, spouse, or parent (or elder relative under certain circumstances) with a serious health condition; or
• your own serious health condition.

Contact your human resources representative for further information about your eligibility and arrangements to designate your leave as FMLA.

I am taking a FMLA leave; what will happen to my benefits?

The accrual of sick and vacation days will continue while you are on the paid portion of your leave of absence. All other benefits will remain intact during your paid leave. Your health and dental insurance premiums will continue to be deducted from your paycheck.

Family Changes

I am getting married, what do I need to do?

If your name changes, you must send written notification to your human resources representative and complete a new I-9 form in Human Resources. Additionally, you may want to complete a new W-4 form. Receipt of these forms will generate a change to your record in Colleague, as well as Payroll notification. Employees who change their names may want to contact University Technology to make changes to an email address and Colleague access. If your address changes, send written notification to your human resources representative. Your information will be updated in both the Colleague and Payroll systems. To change your life insurance beneficiary information, contact your human resources representative to obtain the appropriate form. Return the form to Human Resources. This change may be made at any time. To change your TIAA-CREF beneficiary designation, call TIAA-CREF directly at (800) 842-2888.

I just had a baby, what do I need to do?

If you give birth/adopt, contact your human resources representative to get the paperwork to add your new child to your health insurance. You must return the forms to Human Resources within 30 days of the birth/adoption of your child. At that time, you may also enroll in or change the amount of an existing dependent care flexible spending account (FSA). Contact your human resources representative to get the appropriate form. The form must be returned within 30 days of the birth/adoption of your child. You may also enroll in or change the amount of an existing medical FSA. Contact your human resources representative to get the appropriate form. The form must be returned within 30 days of the birth/adoption of your child. An FSA calculator is available to help calculate the amount to allocate to one or both of these accounts. Both Dependent Care Reimbursement and Medical Expense Reimbursement forms can be found online from Crosby Benefit Systems, our FSA administrator. To change your life insurance beneficiary information, contact your human resources representative to obtain the appropriate form. Return the form to Human Resources. This change may be made at any time. To change your TIAA-CREF beneficiary designation, call TIAA-CREF directly at (800) 842-2888.

Disability

How can I request a reasonable accommodation for a disability?

Please consult with your supervisor when requesting a work-related accommodation because of an illness, injury, disability, or other reason. Your supervisor will then consult with your human resources representative. Human Resources is the department responsible for consulting about, coordinating responses to, and monitoring situations related to work accommodations for all employees, including adjunct faculty. (Note: The Disability Services Office in Student Affairs is responsible for students, not employees.)