Leave of absence
Employees who start an unpaid Academic Leave or Personal Leave may choose to drop their coverage at the start of the leave, then reelect coverage upon their return. Please note that Evidence of Insurability rules for life insurance and LTD buy-up will apply.
Other leave types are not eligible for mid-year benefit changes.
Academic Leave
Faculty on an unpaid Academic Leave (see Faculty Handbook pages 26-27 for definition) may drop their coverage at the start of the leave. The request must be made within 31-days of the start of the leave. Coverage will run through the end of the month in which the leave began (e.g. leave begins March 15, coverage ends March 31). Faculty returning from on unpaid Academic Leave have 31-days from the end of their leave to elect benefits. Coverage starts the first of the month coinciding with or following the return from leave date. Use this guide to process your benefits.
Note: if the faculty member continues to be paid via Northwestern University during the Academic Leave, they may not make changes to their benefits.
Personal Leave
Faculty (see Faculty Handbook pages 26-27 for definition) or staff who take an unpaid personal leave may drop their coverage at the start of the leave. The request must be made within 31-days of the start of the leave. Coverage will run through the end of the month in which the leave began (e.g. leave begins March 15, coverage ends March 31). Employees returning from on unpaid Personal Leave have 31-days from the end of their leave to elect benefits. Coverage starts the first of the month coinciding with or following the return from leave date. Use this guide to process your benefits.