New Hire Benefits Information
On this new hire benefit page, you will find valuable information and resources to help you make an informed decision when it comes to benefits for you and your family. Medical coverage begins on your start date, and once you make your selection, information will be back-dated to reflect that.
Important — Benefit selection deadlines are based on your hire date. Please note all the deadlines on this page to make sure your benefits are selected in time.
The information in the tabs below will address common questions from new employees, as well as highlight the forms you must complete for each type of insurance, and the deadline for completing those forms.
Note: If you enrolled in your benefits online already, you do not need to complete the forms marked with an asterisk (**).
Forms, Deadlines and More
Opting into medical insurance includes the following forms of coverage:
- Medical (with Medical Mutual)
- Prescription (with CVS Health)
- Dental (with Delta Dental)
- Vision (with EyeMed)
Relevant Forms
| Form | What is it? | Is it required? | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hire Portal Instructions (PDF) | Use the Portal Instructions to set up your Benefits portal. From there, select/enroll in your medical (which includes prescription and vision coverage) and dental insurance. | YES | 31 Days after your hire date |
| Opt-Out Affidavit (PDF) | Use this form if you would like to opt out of insurance provided by Kent State. Note, you will need to provide evidence of alternative coverage. | Optional | 31 Days after your hire date |
| Domestic Partner Affidavit (PDF) and supplemental documentation (if applicable) | If you have a domestic partnership and would like to cover your partner, use this form and guidelines. | Optional | 31 Days after your hire date |
| COBRA Acknowledgement Form (PDF) | This is an acknowledgment that if you leave the university, COBRA information will automatically be offered to you. This form does not automatically sign you up for COBRA. | YES | 31 Days after your hire date |
If you select the PPO medical insurance plan option, you can register for a Flexible Spending Account.
Relevant Forms
|
Form |
What is it? |
Is it required? |
Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
**Flexible Spending Account Form Contact the Benefits office at benefits@kent.edu for this form. |
Fill out this form to set up your contributions to your Flexible Spending Account. |
Optional |
31 Days after your hire date |
Kent State partners with Securian Financial (Minnesota Life) for life insurance policies and some optional benefits like accidental death & dismemberment and group term supplemental life insurance.
We also partner with Unum for long-term disability insurance.
Relevant Forms
|
Form |
What is it? |
Is it required? |
Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Use this form to designate beneficiaries of your life insurance policy. |
YES |
31 Days after your hire date |
|
|
Use this form if you would like to opt into Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage. |
Optional |
31 Days after your hire date |
|
|
Use this form if you would like to opt into additional life insurance, beyond what you will already get through Kent State. |
Optional |
31 Days after your hire date |
|
|
Use this form if you would like to opt into long-term disability coverage. |
Optional |
31 Days after your hire date |
Full-time classified and unclassified employees may elect to participate in either the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) or an Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP).
Full-time faculty members may elect to participate in either the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) or an ARP.
Part-time classified and unclassified employees must participate in OPERS and part-time faculty must participate in STRS.
Relevant Links
|
Form |
What is it? |
Is it required? |
Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Use this form to select your retirement plan. You will use this form for selecting OPERS/STRS and ARP. |
YES |
120 Days after your hire date |
|
|
Click this link to explore supplemental retirement plans through Kent State's recommended vendors. |
Optional |
Anytime |
A working spouse fee/domestic partner fee will be applied each pay for employees providing medical coverage to a spouse or domestic partner who is employed full-time, eligible for group health care coverage through their employer and elects not to enroll.
You might be eligible to waive that fee if your spouse/domestic partner is:
- Part-time employed
- Retired
- Enrolled in Medicare
- Self-employed/unemployed
- Employed in a benefits-eligible position at Kent State University
- Employed, but does not qualify for or is not offered group health insurance
- Employed, but in a non-Kent State medical plan as primary coverage, utilizing Kent State for secondary coverage
Relevant Forms
| Form | What is it? | Is it required? | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affidavit of Working Spouse/Domestic Partner Insurance Status (PDF) | Use this form to declare the employment and insurance status of your spouse/domestic partner. | YES | 31 Days after your hire date |