Benefits FAQ

Changing Benefits

  • Can I change benefits if I change positions?
  • When can I make changes to my insurance benefits?
  • How many hours do I have to work to be eligible for benefits? 

Insurance

  • When can I enroll in or change my Optional Life insurance?
  • Can I increase the amount of life insurance on my child(ren)?
  • Is it true that I lose any money that has not been reimbursed from my Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts at the end of the year?
  • I am not enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account, but a MoneyPlus admin fee is being deducted from my check.
  • Why is Optional Life listed twice on my paycheck?
  • If you are a new hire, please review the New Hire Insurance FAQs.

Additional FAQ Resources:

Changing Benefits

Can I change benefits if I change positions?

  • Insurance: An employee may not make changes to their benefits if they change to another benefits eligible position. They may enroll in benefits if their FTE percent increases to at least 50 percent or higher.
  • Retirement: An employee may not make changes to their retirement plan due to a position change unless they have opted out and are now employed in a position that requires their participation.

When can I make changes to my insurance benefits?

Enrollment Periods occur every year from October 1st through October 31st. Employees may make changes to their benefits based on the type of enrollment period. All changes and any applicable premium changes are effective January 1st of the following year. Annual Enrollment changes are allowed every year, while Open Enrollment changes are permitted in October of the odd-numbered years only.

You can review the changes permitted each year on the Enrolling and Changing Benefits page.

How many hours do I have to work to be eligible for benefits?

To be eligible for insurance benefits, MUSC employees must work at least 50 percent (20 hours per week).

Retirement eligibility is not based on FTE percent, it is based on position. A classified employee or faculty member is required to participate in the one of the SC Retirement Systems plans. Resident, research grant, temporary and postdoctoral scholars have the opportunity to participate, but it is not mandatory unless they have an active account or are retired from the SC Retirement Systems.

Insurance Questions

When can I enroll in or change my Optional Life insurance?

If you participate in the pre-tax premium feature, you may enroll/add/drop/decrease during guaranteed increases and apply with medical evidence during Annual Enrollment (every year).

If you do not participate in the pre-tax premium feature, you may enroll/add/drop/decrease during guaranteed increases and apply with medical evidence at any time throughout the year.

Can I increase the amount of life insurance on my child(ren)?

The life insurance is a set amount of $15,000. The Hartford may increase this amount in the future. Each child is insured with $15,000 and the cost is $1.24 total per month, not per child.

Is it true that I lose any money that has not been reimbursed from my Dependent Care and Medical Spending Accounts at the end of the year?

Expenses must be incurred by the calendar year end. All remaining funds not used by March 31st of the following year are forfeited.

Why is Optional Life listed twice on my paycheck?

If you participate in the pre-tax premium feature, then your entire premium is deducted from your check before taxes. The pre-tax portion is noted with an asterisk* under "Taxes and Deductions" on your paystub. Any coverage amount over $50,000 is multiplied by an IRS imputed rate. This amount is added back to your earnings listed as OTL Imputed NC under "Earnings" on your paystub.