Overview
If your work hours change your benefits may be affected and you may be able to make changes to certain benefits. Benefit changes must be made within 30 days of your appointment percentage change.
How Benefits Are Affected
Review the document below for your appointment type for a summary of how your benefits may be affected.
Important information specific to each benefit plan can be accessed below.
To review which plans you are currently enrolled in log into Workday (myworkday.wisconsin.edu). Once in Workday, from the Menu in the upper left go to Personal, then select Benefits and Pay. In the Suggested Links, select My Insurance Benefits to access the benefits enrollment system.
If you are covered by WRS and your appointment increases to 50% or more and:
- You are not currently enrolled in State Group Health Insurance: You may enroll within 30 days from your increase in appointment. You will be eligible for the full employer contribution towards your health insurance premium. Changes are effective the first of the month following receipt of your change.
- You are currently enrolled in State Group Health Insurance: You will begin to receive the full employer contribution towards your health insurance premium. You may also change to family coverage, change health plans (plan design and/or carrier), or cancel coverage.
If you are covered by WRS and your appointment decreases to less than 50% and:
- You are not currently enrolled in State Group Health Insurance: Your next opportunity to enroll will be during the enrollment period in the fall for coverage effective January 1 or if you experience a qualifying life event that allows for an enrollment opportunity.
- You are currently enrolled in State Group Health Insurance: You will be required to pay 50% of the total premium rates. You have 30 days from your appointment percentage change to less than 50% to cancel your coverage, change health plans (plan design and/or carrier), or change to individual coverage. Changes are effective the first of the month following receipt of your change.
If you are covered by WRS and your appointment increases to 50% or more and:
- You are not currently enrolled: You may enroll within 30 days from your increase in appointment. Changes are effective the first of the month following receipt of your change.
- You are currently enrolled: You may change coverage levels or cancel coverage.
If you are covered by WRS and your appointment decreases to less than 50% and:
- You are not currently enrolled: Your next opportunity to enroll will be during the enrollment period in the fall for coverage effective January 1 or if you experience a qualifying life event that allows for an enrollment opportunity.
- You are currently enrolled: You have 30 days from your FTE change to less than 50% to cancel your coverage or change to individual coverage; changes are effective the first of the month following receipt of your change.
If your appointment percentage changes, this may allow you to change your Health Care FSA and Dependent Day Care Account contribution.
Employer Contribution: If you are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) and your FTE is reduced to less than 50% and you are required to pay half the total health insurance premium, you are eligible for up to half of the annual HSA employer contribution. The total annual employer contribution is pro-rated based on the effective date of your FTE reduction and if you are enrolled for the entire calendar year.
Employee Contribution: There is no impact to your employee contribution to your HSA. You may change your employee contribution at any time by logging into My Insurance Benefits. For assistance with enrolling or making changes to your HSA contribution amount review Making Changes to a Health Savings Account (ET-1142b).
You may want to change your contribution amount if your appointment percentage changes.
For the 403(b) Program, to change (start, edit, stop) your dollar or percentage amount, review Change Benefits-Supplemental Retirement-Employee (KB 144708).
For the 457 Program, to change your contribution amount contact the WDC administrator (Empower) directly at wdcquestions@empower.com or (877) 457-9327.
How to Make Changes
To make changes, log into Workday (myworkday.wisconsin.edu). Once in Workday, from the Menu in the upper left go to Personal, then select Benefits and Pay. In the Suggested Links, select My Insurance Benefits to access the benefits enrollment system.
Resources
Reach out to your benefits contact within 30 days from the date of your qualifying life event with questions.
Beneficiary Designations
Remember to review and update your beneficiary designations when you have a life event to make sure that your benefits are paid according to your wishes. Benefit plans that have beneficiary designations include life insurance plans, retirement plans and the health savings account.
For more information review the Beneficiary Information web page.
Every effort has been made to ensure this information is current and correct. Information on this page does not guarantee enrollment, benefits and/or the ability to make changes to your benefits.
Updated: 08/14/2025