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Death of Dependent

You may use available paid sick leave during a time of bereavement for a member of your family. You should complete a Leave Request Form and submit it to your supervisor. (The Leave Request Form - AFSCME) should be used for employees represented by AFSCME.) A summary of the university leave policy is found on page 2 of these forms.

The death of a family member may create a need to adjust your participation in several available benefit programs and provide the university with updated personal information. You may also wish to review your federal, state and, if applicable, city tax withholding elections. The following is a checklist of issues for you to consider:

  • Personal Information Update - You will need to complete and return a Change of Employee Personal Information Form in order to change any of these items: name, address, phone, title, marital status, emergency contact, or to add/delete dependents on any of the current benefit plans. You can also change your mailing address and/or emergency contact information on the MyHRWeb.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - If you wish to change your level of participation in one of these accounts, you must complete a new Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Form which is found in the HR Forms Library. Under Internal Revenue Service regulations, you must submit this form to the Benefits Office within 31 days of the date of death if you wish to make any changes.

  • Payroll Tax Withholding - If you need to change your federal, state or local income tax withholding you should contact the Payroll Department at 330-672-2637 or you can obtain most forms on the Payroll Web site.  All completed forms must be returned to the Payroll Department.

  • Medical/Dental/Vision Enrollment Changes - You will need to complete and return a Group Insurance Enrollment Form (found in the HR Forms Library) to change your enrollment in the medical/dental/vision plans. This includes changes for single/family coverage or opt-out of the coverage and designation of a primary care physician for any covered family members. Under Internal Revenue Service regulations, you must submit this form to the Benefits Office within 31 days of the date of death if you wish to make any changes.

  • Life Insurance Beneficiary- If you need to change the beneficiary for the group term life insurance provided to you by Kent State University, you must complete and return a Change of Beneficiary Form. Completed forms should be sent to the Benefits Office.

  • Retirement Plan - You should contact the retirement system in which you participate (OPERS, STRS or ARP provider) if you need to update beneficiary information and any personal information which has changed. You can reach OPERS at 800-222-7377, STRS at 888-227-7877.  The ARP Provider list (found in the HR Forms Library) will give you contact information regarding these retirement systems.  Please keep in mind that the university cannot change your personal information with the retirement systems; you must contact them directly to make any changes.