Life Events

If you experience a life event, Wellesley College wants you to be aware of the variety of benefits, resources and programs to support you.

Marriage

If you are eligible for Wellesley College benefits, you are able to change your benefit plan elections. You may enroll your spouse and eligible dependents onto our benefits, or drop your current coverage and join your spouse’s plan.

If you are making changes to your benefit elections, you have 30 days from the date of your marriage to submit your changes through Workday. After 30 days, your next opportunity to change your coverage will be during Open Enrollment in the fall. For instructions, please see details below.

To Do List

Update your marital status in Workday. Use the Personal Information worklet that can be found on the Home Page in Workday and under the "Change" section select "Personal Information". Add in your marital status and the date and be sure to click "Submit".
Decide whether to add your spouse and dependents (if applicable) to medical, dental, and vision coverage or drop your current coverage and join your spouse's plan. You might also elect to maintain your current individual benefits. Changes to medical, dental, and vision benefits are effective as of your marriage date.
To make changes to your benefit elections, please follow these Workday Instructions and submit your election changes within 30 days of your marriage event.
You may add your spouse as a beneficiary to your life insurance coverage - and apply for spousal life insurance by going into the Spouse life insurance worklet.
Be sure to select "submit" once you've made all of your selections.

Additional Actions to Consider

You may add your spouse as a beneficiary to your 403(b) Retirement Plan through TIAA. If you are a participant in the Wellesley College Pension Plan, please submit an updated Beneficiary Designation Form.
Are you changing your name or address? If you are changing your name, you will need to provide Human Resources with your updated Social Security card and submit your name and/or address change in the Personal Information Worklet in Workday.
Are you considering financial planning? Meet with a financial planner and the Wellesley College TIAA representative.
Are you considering estate planning or other legal considerations? Enroll in legal coverage through MetLaw Legal plan for help with your will, family law, real state matters among other legal services.
Do you need to change your Payroll Tax Filing status/exemptions? Change your W-4 deductions and state tax withholdings in Workday by using the Pay worklet in Workday.

Planning to Grow Your Family

As you take this step in your family journey, keep in mind that your Wellesley College benefits are here to support you.

Coverage Through Harvard Pilgrim

If you’re enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim HMO or Harvard Pilgrim PPO with HSA medical plan, many family planning services—consultations, lab tests, treatment, surrogacy, and more—are covered. View the Harvard Pilgrim HMO handbook and PPO handbook for details about covered services. Take advantage of speaking with a Harvard Pilgrim Nurse Case Manager (888-333-4742) as you begin this journey.

Ovia Health

Participants in the Harvard Pilgrim HMO or Harvard Pilgrim PPO with HSA medical plan have a free personal medical assistant available to help them through the Ovia Health mobile apps. No matter what stage of family planning you’re in, Ovia Health has a resource to guide you.

Ovia Fertility

Ovia Pregnancy

Ovia Parenting

Other Resources

Free, confidential counseling through the Employee Assistance Program
Family planning support, education, and advocacy through Resolve New England

Pregnancy/Parenting/Adoption

Wellesley College offers many resources to support you during pregnancy or adoption.

To change your coverage, notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of your new child’s date of birth or adoption, and submit a birth or adoption certificate. After 30 days, your next opportunity to change your coverage will be during Open Enrollment in the fall. Medical and dental changes are effective as of the birth or adoption date.

You also may be eligible for a parental leave and/or a leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act and Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Review the College’s handbooks for more details:

To Do List

Apply for a parental leave, if you’re eligible, and/or FMLA or PFML.
If you’re expecting a newborn contact a Harvard Pilgrim Nurse Case Manager at 888-333-HPHC (4742) to guide you through the pregnancy.
Decide whether to enroll your new child in medical, dental, or vision coverage and/or whether to add or drop coverage for your other dependents.
Notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of your child’s birth or adoption, and submit a birth or adoption certificate. To make changes to your benefit elections, please follow these Workday Instructions and submit your election changes within 30 days of your child’s date of birth.
Consider enrolling or increasing your contributions to a Health Care FSA and/or a Dependent Care FSA.
Consider updating your life insurance beneficiary information.
Consider updating your 403(b) Retirement Plan beneficiary information by logging into your TIAA account.

Additional Benefits to Know

When you need parenting support, take advantage of five sessions of free, confidential counseling through your Employee Assistance Program by calling AllOne Health at 800-451-1834.
Do you need support navigating a caregiving situation? Balancing career, family, and personal life can be challenging, especially if you're caring for yourself or a loved one's well-being. Wellesley College benefits eligible employees now have access to Wellthy, a caregiving support solution that meets you and your family wherever you are in your caregiving journey. WELLTHY Caregiving Resource.
Lactation Support on Campus Currently there are two lactation rooms on campus.
Need childcare? Wellesley College offers several resources:
- On-campus day care at the Wellesley Community Children’s Center for children between 3 months and 5 years old
- The Wellesley College Child Study Center, an on-campus laboratory preschool for the Psychology Department
Thinking about the financial aspect of parenting? Meet with a financial planner and the Wellesley College TIAA representative.
Legal matters to figure out? Enroll in legal coverage through MetLaw Legal Plan for help with the adoption process or your will.
Don't forget about your taxes. Change your W-4 deductions and state tax withholdings in Workday.
Introduce us to the new family member. Update your and your new dependent's personal information in Workday.

Caring for YOU

Maintaining your physical and mental well-being is essential to a happy, healthy life. Wellesley College supports your holistic health at work and at home.

When You Want to Get Healthier

Take advantage of the following resources to help you improve your health, get in shape, and

feel better physically.

Free Wellesley College Fitness Classes—Register Online for yoga, Zumba, barre, or total body fitness sessions.
Free Online Movement and Meditation Classes through Ompractice - Wellesley has teamed up with Ompractice to offer its team members free, unlimited access to our platform of live, interactive yoga, movement, and mindfulness classes.
Gym membership and weight loss program reimbursement
Online resources, including articles, webinars, and tips for reaching your fitness goals, through the EAP
The Whole You rewards program to help you meet your health and financial goals

When You Need Mental Health Support

Whether you need therapy or a prescribed medication, your benefits provide you with the support you need, when you need it.

Use your free, confidential counseling sessions through the EAP administered by AllOne Health to help with depression, anxiety, grief, substance abuse, family issues, and more.
Harvard Pilgrim covers behavioral health resources, behavioral health visits and prescription drugs. If you’re enrolled in one of our plans, find an in-network behavioral health provider, and talk through what’s on your mind.

When You Lose a Loved One

We extend our sympathy and support to you during this difficult time. The following benefits may be of value to you.

You may be eligible for a bereavement leave. View your handbook to learn more.
Talk through your grief with free confidential counseling sessions through the Employee Assistance Program administered by AllOne Health.
If you’re enrolled in our legal coverage, contact MetLaw Legal Plan for help with your loved one’s affairs.

When You Are Transitioning Genders

Caring for yourself is important. Get the support you need.

Your Harvard Pilgrim medical plan includes:

Gender reassignment surgery care to support you on your journey
Covered doctor and behavioral health visits. Refer to your benefit handbook for more information.
Outpatient prescription drug coverage
Guidance throughout your transition through Care Management and Member Services, which can help you:
- Navigate your benefits and network
- Troubleshoot any issues you may have
- Call 888-888-4742 to get started.
Surrogacy coverage through your medical plan. Refer to your benefits handbook for more information.

Balancing career, family, and personal life can be challenging, especially if you're caring for a loved one's well-being in addition to your own. Wellesley College benefits eligible employees now have access to Wellthy, a caregiving support solution that meets you and your family wherever you are in your caregiving journey. WELLTHY Caregiving Resource.

If You or Your Child Is Turning 26

Employees turning 26 and loosing coverage under their parent's plan are eligible to join our benefits as a qualifiying event effective the date their coverage ends. Please notify Human Resources within 30 days of turning age 26.

Dependent children are eligible for Wellesley College health, dental, and vision coverage until they reach age 26. Harvard Pilgrim will send you an email before your child’s 26th birthday reminding you that your child will need to find alternative insurance coverage and that they will receive a COBRA package with the opportunity to continue their benefits at a higher cost if they choose to.

To Do List

Notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of your child’s 26th birthday to remove them from medical, dental, and vision coverage.
Change or stop your FSA contributions, and submit a claim for eligible expenses you incurred on behalf of your child. If your child is no longer a tax dependent, you may not submit expenses for him or her to your Health Care FSA.
Review other health coverage options for your child through the Health Insurance Marketplace and the Massachusetts Health Connector.
Watch this video with your child to help them understand the ins and outs of health insurance.

Divorce

If you get divorced, you can make changes to your benefits elections and the dependents you cover.

Contact the Human Resources office within 30 days of the divorce date and submit a divorce

decree. After 30 days, your next opportunity to change your coverage will be during Open

Enrollment in the fall.

Your former spouse may not continue medical, dental, and vision coverage to the extent federal law requires. See the COBRA continuation coverage section in the Wellesley College Employee Welfare Benefits Plan Summary Plan Description (SPD) for more information.

To Do List

Notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of the divorce date, and submit a divorce decree.
If you cover your ex-spouse on your medical, dental or vision plan you will need to remove your ex-spouse effective the date of your divorce. Please contact Human Resources or follow these Workday Instructions.
Consider changing your contributions or stopping contributions to your Health Care FSA and/or a Dependent Care FSA. Note: Childcare expenses are eligible for reimbursement if you have custody of your child for a longer amount of time than the other parent.
Update your beneficiaries to your life insurance coverage.
Update your beneficiaries to your 403(b) Retirement Plan or your Wellesley College Pension Plan (if you were hired before December 15, 2012).

Additional Actions to Consider

Get emotional support with five sessions of free, confidential counseling. Just call the Employee Assistance Program administered by AllOne Health at 1-800-451-1834.
If you’re enrolled in legal coverage through the MetLaw Legal Plan, you can request assistance with your divorce or to change your will.
Name or address changes? Update your personal information in the "Personal Information" worklet in Workday, and get a new Social Security card and driver’s license.
Get help with your finances. Meet with a financial planner and the Wellesley College TIAA representative.
Change your W-4 deductions and state tax withholdings in the Pay worklet on Workday.

Leaves of Absence

Wellesley College wants you to step away from work when you need to. We offer a variety of leave options so that you can care for yourself, your loved ones.

Leaves of absence, including the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML ), the Wellesley College Short-Term Disability Policy for Staff, and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) are administered by Lincoln Life Assurance Company of Boston.

Lincoln Financial Group offers employees direct access to claims resources and reporting. Report a claim, or check the status of your claim via Lincoln Financial Group’s secure website or by telephone at 888-408-7300.

You may also seek support from the Employee Assistance Program, which gives you up to five free confidential counseling sessions so you can discuss your personal situation. Call AllOne Health at 800-451-1834 to get started.

Balancing career, family, and personal life can be challenging, especially if you're caring for yourself or a loved one's well-being. Wellesley College benefits eligible employees now have access to Wellthy, a caregiving support solution that meets you and your family wherever you are in your caregiving journey. WELLTHY Caregiving Resource.

Additional Leaves

Depending on eligibility requirements, you may qualify for additional types of leaves, including:

Personal leave
Bereavement leave
Jury duty
Professional/sabbatical leave (faculty only)
Military leave

View your applicable handbook to learn more.

How to Apply for a Leave

Contact the Human Resources office at 781-283-2231 (Administrative Staff or Union) or the Provost Office 781-283-3229 (Faculty) if you’re considering taking leave. And follow these steps from Lincoln Financial.

What to know about your benefits while on leave:

If you are receiving paid leave from the College, your insurance premiums and deductions will continue to be taken from each paycheck.
If you are not receiving pay directly from Wellesley during any portion of your leave, you will want to contact Human Resources at 781-283-2212 to get additional information.

Change in Employment Status (You or Your Spouse)

When the employment situation in your family changes, your benefits might change too. Changing or losing a job or a change in your work schedule can affect your benefits eligibility.

If you experience such a change, notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of the employment status change. After 30 days, your next opportunity to change your coverage will be during Open Enrollment, typically held in the fall. Medical, dental, and vision changes are effective the date you lose coverage.

To Do List

Notify the Human Resources office within 30 days of your change in employment status, and submit documentation.
If the change affects your benefits enrollment decide whether to add or drop medical, dental, and vision coverage for yourself and your spouse and/or dependents. To make changes to your benefit elections, please follow these Workday instructions and submit your election changes within 30 days of the event date. If you miss the 30 day window, the next opportunity to make changes will be during Open Enrollment.
Enroll in or change your life insurance coverage, and add your spouse as a beneficiary.
Add your spouse as a beneficiary to your 403(b) Retirement Plan (if you were hired on or after December 15, 2012) or your Wellesley College Pension Plan (if you were hired before December 15, 2012).

Additional Actions to Consider

Get help with your finances. Meet with a financial planner and the Wellesley College TIAA representative.
If you’re enrolled in the legal coverage through MetLaw Legal Plan, you can request assistance with any legal issues that may come up.
Change your W-4 deductions and state tax withholdings in the "Pay" worklet of Workday (if applicable).

Approaching Retirement

Familiarize yourself with the following steps so that you’re ready to retire when the time comes.

Your most important to-dos include:

Contact the Human Resources office at least three months before your expected retirement date.
Review your retirement outlook with the Wellesley College TIAA representative, at no cost to you.
Meet with an independent financial planner.
If you are a participant in the Pension Plan, reach out to Human Resources to request a projection of your benefit amount.

Medical and Dental Benefits

If you or your covered spouse is 65 and older, COBRA coverage will be offered. View the Employee Welfare Benefits Summary Plan Description for more information about your benefits after you turn age 65.

You may be eligible for medical and dental benefits in retirement if you:

Have at least 10 years of service
Are aged 60 to 64
Are enrolled in the medical, dental, and/or vision plans at the time you retire

You may elect to continue medical and/or dental coverage under the active plan at the regular employee rate until you reach age 65.

Take advantage of these resources to help you understand your options, including Medicare and how it works with other health coverage for which you’re eligible in retirement.

Resources and webinars through Prosperous You to help you navigate the health care system and your financial plan in retirement.
Medicare guidance and counseling through the SHINE program. Find a SHINE counselor online, or call 800-243-4636.

Learn more about your retiree benefits.