Obtain a Social Security Number
Citizens and noncitizens must have a U.S. Social Security number (SSN) to enroll in benefits. If you do not have a U.S. SSN, you may obtain one through the Social Security Administration. Forms and information for obtaining a SSN and card are available online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. For assistance, call the Social Security Administration toll free at 1-800-772-1213, Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., or visit a local Social Security Office. To find an office nearest you, use the office locator on the Web at www.ssa.gov.

Review Your Benefits Enrollment Information
When you are eligible to enroll in benefits, you will receive instructions on how to enroll. It is important that you review all of your benefits information and enroll within 30 days or as specified by your bargaining agreement.

Save Your Confirmation Statement
A Confirmation Statement is a useful tool to help you keep track of your benefits plan choices.

Update Your Address
It is important to keep your address up to date. To update your address with the University, log onto Wolverine Access at https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu and select Employee Business, and then select Addresses under Personal Business on the right side of the page and make your changes.

Contact TIAA-CREF (1-800-842-2776) or Fidelity (1-800-343-0860) directly to change your address for retirement programs in which you are enrolled.

Check Your Deductions
It is important to review all of your paycheck stubs to make sure proper benefits premium deductions are occurring. Prior to each pay day, you will receive an e-mail advising you that your pay stub information is ready to be viewed electronically with instructions on how to access the information.

To view your pay stub, log onto Wolverine Access at http://wolverineaccess.umich.edu and select Employee Business. You will be prompted for your uniqname and UMICH (Kerberos) password to log-in. Pay stub information can be found under View Paycheck. Questions about pay stub information should be directed to the HR/Payroll Service Center at (734) 615-2000 for Ann Arbor and U-M-Dearborn employees, and (810) 762-3150 for faculty and staff at U-M-Flint. You are responsible for making sure that your pay can cover the cost of the benefits you choose.

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities Under COBRA
Within six weeks after you enroll in University benefits, a letter explaining your rights and responsibilities under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) will be mailed to your home. COBRA allows you and/or your dependents to continue your medical, dental, prescription drug, and vision plan and medical care flexible spending account at your own expense if you or your dependents become ineligible for these benefits due to termination or change in appointment or dependent status. You must notify the HR/Payroll Service Center of status changes within the required time limits. See Life Events.

Make Dependent Coverage Changes Promptly
If you want to add an eligible dependent to your coverage (due to birth, adoption, marriage, etc.), you must contact the HR/Payroll Service Center or submit a completed Benefits Enrollment/Change form within 30 days of the event. Otherwise, you will have to wait for the next Open Enrollment period to add your dependent to your coverage and have the change become effective January 1 of the following year.

If your dependent becomes newly eligible for his or her own benefits coverage due to a job commencement or change, or the dependent is deceased, complete and submit a Benefit Enrollment/Change form within 30 days of the event to remove the dependent from your coverage.

If your dependent becomes ineligible for medical, dental, group life insurance or vision coverage, complete and submit a COBRA Notice of Qualifying Event form within 30 days of the event to remove the dependent from your coverage. It may be possible to reduce your monthly costs, and your dependent may be eligible for COBRA. You may lose the opportunity for a refund of premiums if you do not inform the HR/Payroll Service Center within 30 days of your dependent's loss of eligibility. Failure to notify the HR/Payroll Service Center within 60 days of your dependent's loss of eligibility will result in forfeiture of COBRA continuation rights. See COBRA.

Watch for Communications
Watch for communications from the University concerning your benefits. Dated materials may require your prompt attention.