Overview
If your employment is ending due to permanent layoff you must take action to continue or convert your benefits.
How Benefits are Affected at Layoff
The below summary documents outline what happens to your benefits and leave at termination of employment due to layoff. Review the document for the situation that applies to you.
Protective WRS category (for example, law enforcement):
- If you are younger than 50 years old and not vested in the WRS, review .
- If you are at least 50 years old and vested in the WRS, review .
Employees first covered by the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) on or after July 1, 2011, must have five years of WRS creditable service to be vested. Employees covered by the WRS prior to July 1, 2011, are immediately vested.
Continuation & Conversion Forms
A notice will be sent to you shortly after your last day. The notice outlines your continuation or conversion rights for the plans you were enrolled in at the time of termination. For information on continuing or converting coverage review the Continuation & Conversion web page.
Resources
If you are going to be laid off, review and complete this form with your elections to pay your share of the health insurance premium during the three months you are eligible for the employer share of the premium.
The Sick Leave Credit Conversion Program Estimator is a tool that can be used to help estimate the value of your sick leave credits.
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: 06/05/2025