Benefits eligibility: What you need to know

Enroll within 30 calendar days

Whether you're new to ASU or becoming eligible for benefits, understanding the enrollment process and important deadlines will help you make the most of your benefits. 

You have 30 calendar days from your hire date or the date you become benefits-eligible to enroll in your benefits. 

To complete your enrollment, you must:

• Select your benefits in Workday. 
• Submit all required supporting documentation. 

Important: The Office of Human Resources must receive all required documents within 30 days of your hire or eligibility date. 

If you miss the deadline, you must wait until the next open enrollment period or experience a qualifying life event. Learn more about how and when you can enroll and update your benefits. 

Your benefits coverage starts on the first day of the pay period following submission of your enrollment task and any required supporting documentation. 

Keep in mind: Benefits do not begin on your hire or eligibility date.

Exceptions for rehires and transfers within the Arizona university system — ABOR, NAU and UofA — or Arizona state agencies: 

• Rehire within 30 days: If you are rehired within 30 days of leaving a benefit-eligible position, your coverage starts on your hire date. You must confirm your enrollment in Workday and keep the same benefit elections. 
• Transfer within 30 days: If you transfer from another agency or university, your coverage starts on your hire date or the start of the next pay period after your previous coverage ends — whichever is later. There may be a gap in coverage and elections must remain the same. Contact HR support online to request an agency transfer.

Arizona State University employees must participate in a retirement program if they work 20 or more hours per week for at least 20 weeks in a fiscal year, as outlined in Title 38 of the Arizona Revised Statutes regarding social security and retirement. These programs include the Arizona State Retirement System and the Optional Retirement Plan.

Some employees are exempt, including:

• Postdoctoral scholars
• Undergraduate and graduate student workers 
• F1, J1, M1 and Q1 visa holders

Can I waive retirement participation?

You may be eligible to decline participation in ASRS if all of the following apply: 

• Age 65 or older. 
• Hired on or after Aug. 2, 2012.
• Not an active, inactive, disabled or retired ASRS member. 

If you qualify, submit the ASRS 65+ Membership Waiver Form to HR Retirement within one week of employment.

Arizona State Retirement System 

University staff who meet the membership criteria must participate in the ASRS. Contributions begin the first day of the pay period after a 182-day waiting period. Note: You may owe retroactive contributions. 

Exception:

Contributions begin on your hire or eligibility date if you:

• Already have an active ASRS account 
• Were hired before July 20, 2011 

Optional Retirement Plan 

Faculty, administrators, academic professionals and other eligible employees may choose between: 

• Arizona State Retirement System 
• Optional Retirement Plan 

Participation begins on the first day of the pay period after you complete enrollment. 

Public Safety Personnel Retirement System

Certified ASU peace officers who meet the following criteria must participate in the PSPRS: 

• Assigned hazardous duty regularly
• Work at least 40 hours per week 
• Expected to work more than six months 

Participation starts on the first day of the pay period that includes day 91 of your employment. 

Exception: Participation begins on your hire or eligibility date if you are already a PSPRS member.