We have been notified by the State Department of Budget and Management’s Employee Benefits Division (EBD) of the delay in the State Personnel System (SPS) implementation.  The EBD indicated this decision was made in an effort to ensure that EBD staff have a complete understanding of the system and how to use it for benefits administration in the various State agencies.  This will ensure that employee benefits enrollment and coverage are properly and accurately administered without delay or interruption. 

In the meantime, the open enrollment period will be October 12 through November 15, 2017.  All regular faculty and staff enrolled in benefits will have access to enroll for benefits, make changes to existing coverage, add dependents, etc. via the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system used in prior years.  Retirees and Direct pay employees (contractual, part-time, employees on leave of absence) will be required to complete the appropriate enrollment form to enroll and/or make changes to existing coverage.   Those not making changes will not need to take action during this year’s open enrollment.  

Our HR Benefits Staff will continue with the original testing schedule previously outlined and targeted for completion August 28, 2017.   In addition, the process changes outlined in our initial campus notification will begin January 1, 2018, namely 

1. Effective Dates of Coverage: Coverage will begin on the 1^st of the month following the start date of a new hire or the “Qualifying Event” date (such as marriage, loss of coverage, divorce, etc.). Effective dates for newborns will be adjusted to the actual date of birth. Employee will be billed by the State of Maryland back to their effective date of coverage.
2. Terminations:  Coverage will terminate on the last day of the month in which an employee separates from employment.

Updates regarding the SPS implementation, as well as the annual Open Enrollment process will be available on the HR website under Benefits. The annual health fair is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, October 3^rd from 11:00 – 2:00 in the University Center Ballroom.  More details about open enrollment will be distributed at the fair.   Questions about open enrollment can be directed to benefits at hrbenefits@umbc.edu 

The new SPS system has many features such as online enrollment, upload of documentation, ability to view benefit information online and more.  In addition, there are two key policy changes that will become effective on September 1st with regards to effective dates of coverage for new hires and termination dates of coverage for employees who separate service.

The State of Maryland requires employees to review their personal/demographic information.  Employees should log into myUMBC and review current personal information under their profile by July 31, 2017).  Instructions can be found on the UMBC SPS Workday webpage.

Please see the full memo outlining verification needed by you and important policy changes.  Human Resources will be providing training and guidance through this implementation period and open enrollment.  If you have questions please contact Rochelle Sanders rsanders@umbc.edu or Zahira Meyers zmeyers@umbc.edu.

Thank you and stay tuned for more information!