Indiana University
Benefits Change Connection
Leave of Absence
Paid Leave of Absence
If you receive regular pay (e.g., not grant or fellowship
monies) during a leave of absence, benefit plan contributions
will continue to be automatically deducted and your coverage
will continue.
Unpaid Leave of Absence
When you begin and return from an unpaid leave of absence,
you have certain options and responsibilities for your benefit
plans. Your options are to:
- Continue your coverage by arranging to make personal payments. Certain restrictions may apply. Please reference our Leave Without Pay Policy for additional details.
- Terminate your coverage. You then have the option to reapply for your benefit plans within 30 days of returning to work.
How to continue coverage
during an unpaid leave absence
If you wish to continue coverage for any of the plans listed immediately below, contact a benefits specialist in the University Human Resource Services office at (812) 856-4459 or by e-mail. A payment plan will be arranged and you will be billed for coverage. During this time you will also have the option to terminate coverage.
How to Terminate Coverage During an Unpaid Leave of Absence
If you wish to terminate coverage for any of the plans listed immediately below, you may either contact our office or simply indicate your wish on your Leave Without Pay Benefit Payment Statement.
How to reinstate coverage after returning from
an unpaid leave absence
To reinstate coverage of the plans listed immediately below,
you will need to 
complete
the Family Status Change process by contacting a benefits specialist and 
make
the changes within 30 days of your return from leave.
- Stop coverage when you begin unpaid leave
- Reinstate coverage when you return
- Make personal payments to continue coverage during unpaid leave
- Stop coverage when you begin unpaid leave
- Reinstate coverage when you return
- Make personal payments to continue coverage during unpaid leave
Personal Accident Insurance plan
- Stop coverage when you begin unpaid leave
- Reinstate coverage when you return (proof of good health required)
- Make personal payments to continue coverage during the unpaid leave for up to 12 months
- Convert to an individual policy within 31 days of the loss of coverage if you do not return to work after 12 months
- Stop participation when you begin unpaid leave
- Suspend coverage during the leave. When you return you can either keep the same monthly contribution (lower annual pledge) or increase your monthly contribution to keep the annual pledge the same. Expenses incurred during any suspended time are not eligible for reimbursement.
- Make personal payments to continue participation during the leave.
Basic Life
- Coverage continues for 3 months (12 months if you are on an approved medical leave) after which may end coverage
- Make personal payments to continue coverage for an additional 9 months
- Coverage automatically starts again when you return from leave
- Convert to an individual policy within 31 days of the loss of coverage if you do not return to work after 12 months of leave
- Stop coverage when you begin unpaid leave
- Reinstate coverage when you return (proof of good health required)
- Make personal payments to continue coverage during the unpaid leave for up to 12 months
- Convert to an individual policy within 31 days of the loss of coverage if you do not return to work after 12 months
Long Term Disability Insurance
- Stop coverage when you begin unpaid leave
- Reinstate coverage when you return (proof of good health required)
- Make personal payments to continue coverage during the unpaid leave for up to 12 months
- Convert to an individual policy within 31 days of the loss of coverage if you do not return to work after 12 months
Note: Personal payments for benefit plans during an unpaid leave of absence are on an after-tax basis.
You may also want to familiarize yourself with how the plans below are affected by a leave of absence.
IU Retirement Plan
There will be no contributions to your IU Retirement plan
while on unpaid leave.
IU Tuition Benefit
You are eligible for IU Tuition Benefit while on an unpaid leave.
Retiree Status
Leave of absence time does not count toward total service
years for achieving Retiree Status.
IU Tax Deferred Account (formerly Tax Deferred Annuity Plan)
Contributions cannot be made while on leave and once you return
to work, retroactive contributions cannot be made.
