Yes. Full-time employees who are covered by the Group Term Life and AD&D insurance program may also elect to purchase additional supplemental AD&D life insurance protection for themselves or a legally married spouse/registered domestic partner, and/or dependent children.  The premiums for this additional supplemental life insurance are paid through payroll deduction with after-tax dollars.

Yes, once an employee reaches the age of 65, reductions of the original value will begin. At age 65, the reduction is 65 percent of the original value. At age 70, the reduction is 50 percent of the original value, and at age 75+ the reduction is 35 percent of the original value.

Open Enrollment is a great time to review and update your beneficiary if needed.  You can submit a new Beneficiary Form (PDF) to benefits@kent.edu at any time, or if you would prefer, you can fax it directly to our office at 330-672-5447, or even drop it off at Heer Hall, on the Kent Campus.

The premiums are employer-paid; however, any amount of employer-paid insurance over the amount of $50,000 is subject to taxation as IMPUTED INCOME under Section 79 of the Internal Revenue Code. To calculate the imputed income, please review the imputed income example (PDF) for a better understanding of the imputed income cost versus the overall benefit.   

Health Savings Account Educational Library (PDF)

Flexible Spending Account Educational Library (PDF)

HSA Identity Verification Guide and Form (PDF)

Once enrolled in either the HSA or FSA, PNC Bank, which administers both the HSA and the FSAs for Kent State University, will send you a debit/credit card to access your accounts. If you lose your card or have questions about your PNC account, you can contact PNC through their website PNC BenefitPlus or call their customer service at 844-356-9993.

According to the IRS, the maximum amount you can contribute to the Dependent Care (DAYCARE) FSA is $5,000 for a married couple filing a joint tax return or if filing separate tax returns are $2,500 per spouse. 

If you are enrolled in the 85/60 PPO plan, you can contribute to both healthcare and dependent care FSAs.

The Health Care FSA provides you the opportunity to have funds deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis for health care expenses for yourself AND your dependents. These funds can be used for expenses that are not covered by your medical, dental, or vision plans such as copays, coinsurances, etc. Eligible health care expenses examples are:

You choose a total annual contribution for 2025 and that amount will be divided and deducted on a pre-tax basis from each of your paychecks. Kent State University front-loads this amount to your FSA in early January, giving you immediate access to funds in case you need them.