Congratulations on the new addition to your family! Having a baby is considered a “life change event” in terms of your benefits. This means, you can update your benefit enrollments without having to wait for the next open enrollment period. The following items are a few things you should consider during this life change event. Please note, if you have adopted a child, visit the Adoption section of Life Events.
Benefits
Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Benefits
If you plan on adding the baby to your health benefits, you will need to complete the Healthcare Enrollment Form within thirty (30) days of the birth. Although, the enrollment form requires a social security number for dependents, you do not need to wait until the baby receives a social security number (SSN) to add him or her to your insurance. However, you should provide Human Resources with the SSN upon receipt.
Flexible Spending Account
You may elect to participate in or change the amount you contribute to your Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA). In order to do this, you need to submit a Flexible Spending Agreement Form (PDF).
Life Insurance
Consider purchasing or increasing Voluntary Term or Group Universal Life Insurance coverage on yourself, as well as Voluntary Dependent Life Insurance coverage for your child(ren) and spouse. Be sure to update the beneficiaries indicated on your life insurance policy by completing a Beneficiary Designation Form.
Retirement
Contact your retirement vendor to verify and/or update your beneficiary designations. Contact information for the Retirement Vendors may be found on this site.
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
Welcoming a baby into the world brings many joys to your family’s life! It can also be stressful! The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is a free benefit that offers confidential counseling and referral services to you, your household, and dependents living away from home.
Taxes
You should revisit your federal (W-4) and state (IT-4) tax documents to ensure you are claiming the correct number of allowances and exemptions.
Leave Programs
Paid Parental Leave
Parental Leave is available to full-time employees (75% FTE or greater) who have completed one (1) year of service prior to becoming a birth parent. Wright State University provides six (6) weeks of paid leave for birth mothers and three (3) weeks of paid leave for birth fathers and domestic partners. The leave begins and can only be taken immediately following the birth of a child. Detailed information on Parental Leave may be found on this site.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
In relation to the birth of a child, FMLA gives all full-time and part-time employees the right to take job-protected leave for up to a total of twelve (12) weeks in any twelve (12) month rolling calendar period. Leave for the birth of a child may be used at anytime within the twelve (12) months following the birth, but must be completed within that initial twelve (12) months. This type of leave runs concurrently with any other available leaves (i.e. sick leave, parental leave). For additional important information, visit the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) page.
