New Employee Benefits Enrollment
Essential steps to get you started with the benefits enrollment process.
Eligible employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package
On your first day or first day of eligibility, you'll join a Benefits Orientation with the Human Resources team. They’ll explain everything about your options and help you start the enrollment process.
Mandatory Retirement Plans
All benefits-eligible employees are required to enroll in either the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) of MS or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). If an ORP election form is not received by Human Resources, the employee will be defaulted into the PERS plan.
The deadline for enrollment is 31 days from the new hire date or eligibility date (30 days if you are ORP eligible).
Insurance
Benefits-eligible faculty and staff have access to a variety of insurance options designed to support the health and wellness of both themselves and their families.
Benefits enrollment dates and deadlines
| Benefit | Eligibility/Effective Date | Enrollment Deadline |
| Medical | Coverage begins either on your first day of employment or your date of eligibility, depending on when your enrollment forms are submitted to Human Resources. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Dental | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. Orthodontics and major services benefits are effective after 12 months of continuous coverage without a waiver of waiting period. To request a waiver, send proof of other coverage to Human Resources. For dependants, these services are only available for those age 19 and under. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Vision | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Life Insurance | Mississippi State and School Employees’ Life Insurance Plan coverage begins either on your first day of employment or your date of eligibility, depending on when your enrollment forms are submitted to Human Resources. UNUM coverage is effective the first of the month after your start date or date of eligibility. Amounts over the guaranteed amount are subject to underwriting. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Cancer, Dreaded Disease and Intensive Care Insurance | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Long-term Disability | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
How to enroll
Benefits enrollment is a two-step process: online enrollment and physical form submission. You must complete both steps within 31 days of your hire date or becoming eligible to receive benefits.
Required enrollment forms (must be completed whether enrolling or waiving coverage):
- Signed Benefits Summary
- State Retirement Form(s):
- PERS Form 1 and Form 1B or
- Form 4E-ORP *position specific
- State and School Employees’ Health Insurance
- State and School Employees’ Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Form, if enrolling
Important: In addition to your online elections, we must receive a physical copy of your state retirement forms signed by hand with ink.
Step 1: Online Enrollment
- Log In: Go to myOleMiss to start.
- Add Dependents: If you’re adding dependents to any health plan, do this step first. Make sure you select "Valid From" and select your date of hire or benefits eligibility date for each dependent. If you’re not adding dependents, skip this step.
- Benefit Plan Enrollment: Choose your benefit plans and review your benefits summary. You must sign this summary and submit it to Human Resources with the required New Hire Enrollment Forms.
- Waiving Benefits: If you’re not choosing any benefits, you must still submit an online waiver for State Health. Don’t select any other plans. You still need to enroll in state retirement, which is mandatory. Sign and submit the benefits summary and New Hire Enrollment Forms to Human Resources.
Step 2: Submit Required Forms to Human Resources
- Fax: (662) 915-5836 (or just 5836 from a University fax machine).
- Drop Off or Campus Mail: Deliver them to the Human Resources Department at 1111 Jackson Ave West, Jackson Avenue Center – Central.
- Secure File Upload: Include your personnel number in your file name when uploading.
Contact the HR Service Center
If you have a question, need help, or are dealing with an HR problem, the HR Service Center is here for you. Whether it's about benefits, pay, leave, insurance, tuition waivers, or anything else, our team of experienced HR Service Coordinators is ready to get you the answers you need as quickly as possible.
We're Here to Help!