Birth/Adoption/Placement of a Child - AFSCME Unit B Employees
Many congratulations on the new addition to your family!
There are many things to consider with this change in family status including entitlement to leave from your job with UMass Amherst, modification of beneficiary and/or tax designations and more.
Beneficiary Changes
You may wish to change your beneficiary(ies) for your Massachusetts OBRA Retirement Plan directly online in Empower Retirement's system.
Other Benefits and Tax Withholding Changes
There are a number of benefits changes you may wish to consider when a new family member arrives. Representatives at the Human Resources Employee Service Center are able to assist in answering questions.
- College Savings Program (529 plan): two post-tax 529 college savings programs managed by Fidelity are available via payroll deduction. Learn more about 529 plans at www.savingforcollege.com. Enroll or obtain more information on-line at https://www.fidelity.com/massachusetts-529/
- UMass Amherst Center for Early Education and Care (CEEC) provides both childcare and childcare resources to members of the University community. Contact CEEC at (413) 545-1566 with questions about services and enrollment.
- You may wish to change your state and/or federal income tax withholding. You can do that online in HR Direct or by submitting updated tax forms at the HR Employee Service Center. Please contact a tax specialist or financial advisor if you require tax advice.