Leave of Absence

At some time or another, you may need to take an official leave of absence from your employer. Whether it's for medical, personal, or other reasons, a leave can involve an important change in your employment and perhaps in your insurance and other benefits, as well. In fact, while you're on a leave of absence, your eligibility for insurance may change, or you may need to make special arrangements for some of your benefits to continue.

Note: This brochure will help guide you through the decisions you may need to consider when going on an employer-approved leave of absence. However, if you are going on leave for military service, please refer to our brochure "Military Leave of Absence."

Things to Consider

• To qualify for a leave of absence you must have your employer's approval and there must be a clear intent for you to return to work at the conclusion of your leave.
  
  
• The requirements and benefits issues are unique to each type of leave. Consult with your Human Resource representative to make sure you understand the type of leave you are taking, the length of the leave, etc.
  
  
• If you have an unpaid Thrift Plan loan, contact our savings department to discuss your options. If you don't repay your loan, you may be responsible for income tax and perhaps early withdrawal penalties on the unpaid balance.
  

Checklist

• Obtain your employer's approval for a leave of absence
• Determine whether you want (or need) to maintain your insurance while on leave
• Make sure you re-enroll for health insurance within 30 days of returning to work

In addition, if you are on leave without pay...

• Determine how you're going to pay your portion of the insurance premium
• Contact our savings department if you have an unpaid Thrift Plan loan
• Contact our retirement department to determine how your benefit credit may be affected
• Call us about your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if you have one
• Contact MetLife concerning your group home, auto, or long-term care insurance (if applicable) to make arrangements for your premium payments

As long as you're on paid leave, you can continue to submit claims for FSA reimbursement. However, if you're on unpaid leave, you'll only be able to submit claims through the end of the month in which your unpaid leave began. If this is the case, call us to discuss how you can avoid forfeiting the money in your FSA account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I keep my insurance benefits while I'm on leave?

A. You might, as long as you were enrolled in the insurance at least six months before going on leave. Just how long you can carry the insurance depends on the type of leave. See your Benefits Handbook for details.

Q. Will my employer continue to pay part of the premium while I'm on leave?

A. Yes. How long your employer will contribute depends on the type of leave. Call our membership department for more information.

Q. What happens if my insurance coverage terminates while I'm on leave?

A. If you re-enroll within 30 days of returning to work, your medical and dental insurance will be reinstated the first of the month following your return to work. You will have a six-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions if you've been uninsured for more than 63 days. Also, you will have to prove you're in good health to have your life and disability coverage reinstated. (Note: Exceptions may apply for ministerial leave. Call us for more information.)

Q. What should I do if I have an unpaid Thrift Plan loan?

A. If you are going on unpaid leave, consider making monthly payments to Deseret Mutual. Or, if possible, pay off your loan in a lump sum. Otherwise, the unpaid balance will be treated as a withdrawal, subject to income tax and possible early withdrawal penalties. Because circumstances do vary, we recommend you call our savings department to discuss your particular situation and the options available to you.

Q. Will I continue to earn retirement credit while I'm on leave?

A. You will continue to earn benefit credit as long as you are on a leave approved by your employer and continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

Q. What if I'm enrolled in an HMO and I leave the area?

A. If you're enrolled in an HMO, but are not living in the area while on leave, you can switch to another medical plan for the duration of your leave and then re-enroll in the HMO when you return to the area. If you enroll in BasicCare while you're away, we'll waive BasicCare's two-year enrollment commitment.

Q. What is Family Medical Leave?

A. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job protection for eligible employees to take care of certain personal and family obligations such as: (1) the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child, (2) the care of a close family member who has a serious health condition, or (3) the employee's own serious health condition. Consult your Human Resource representative for more specific information.

Q. What does the Family Medical Leave Act consider to be a "close family member?"

A. The Family Medical Leave Act defines a close family member as a spouse, child, or parent. Accordingly, grandparents, in-laws, and other relatives do not qualify.

This information is provided as a service to help you make informed decisions. Nothing in this information should be considered legal, financial, investment, or medical advise. For a complete description of the plans. please refer to your Benefits Handbook. As with any major life event, you should consult with qualified prefessionals of your choice who can provide you with appropriate counsel and advise.