Separation from Employment

The following information will help with the transition when an employee leaves the University. This information is usually applicable when an employee’s employment ends due to voluntary or involuntary separation, retirement or when a Faculty/Admin Pro has their assignment reduced to less than half-time (50% FTE).

Download the Benefits Separation Guide.

Separating from the University

CSU medical, dental and vision coverage will end on the last day of the month your employment with the university terminates. Premiums are deducted from your final paycheck as they are paid in the month coverage is effective.

Medical, dental and vision coverage may be continued through COBRA at the expense of the employee.

Faculty, administrative professional and non-classified staff

State Classified

Retiring from the University

If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements for retirement from the University and would like to obtain more information, please contact our Benefits team at [email protected] or submit a Workday ticket.  

If you may be eligible for retirement, please select your applicable retirement type for more specific information regarding next steps:

Faculty, administrative professional and non-classified staff

State Classified

Road winding through a hilly landscape
COBRA

Faculty, administrative professional &other non-classified staff

Under federal law (COBRA), CSU is required to notify you of your right to continue coverage under which includes health, dental, vision, EAP and a health care flexible spending account, when coverage would end because of qualifying events such as the end of your employment, reduction of work hours below benefits eligibility or other reasons affecting your dependents. Specific information regarding COBRA can be found in our SPD.

  • Medical, dental and vision: may be continued through COBRA at the expense of the employee, for up to 18 months after the CSU separation date. The continuation period may be longer based on other event types such as divorce or if your dependent reaches a certain age.
2026 CSU COBRA Premiums

COBRA premiums are 102% of the current premium for active employees (includes a 2% administrative fee.)

Initial Payments: If you elect COBRA coverage, you must make your initial payment within 45 days after the date of your election. The first payment covers premiums from when your active coverage ended through the month your COBRA is effective. WEX will mail you a coupon booklet for payment once you have enrolled.

Future COBRA payments: Are due the first of each month thereafter and should be mailed on or before the due date. You will have a grace period for each monthly premium payment. Failure to pay any regularly scheduled COBRA premiums by the end of the month’s grace period will terminate your participation in the COBRA group health plan(s).

COBRA Information
  • Health care flexible spending account: can be continued through the end of the calendar year, as long as there was a positive balance in the account at the time of separation.

You should receive COBRA information from our third-party administrator, WEX approximately two weeks after your CSU health coverage ends. It will be mailed to the last address in Workday. You may elect COBRA coverage within 60 days of the date of the notice or the date when coverage ends, whichever is later. Coverage is retroactive to the first of the month following the end date.

  • Ask WEX a question: [email protected] or 1-866-451-3399
  • COBRA inquiries and forms: WEX | PO Box 869 | Fargo, ND 58107-0869
  • WEX Payments Address: WEX | PO Box 2079 | Omaha, NE 68103-2079
Additional Benefits Plan Continuation
Flexible Spending Accounts

Participation in a health care FSA for all employee types will terminate on the last day of the month in which they end employment. You may submit reimbursement requests for expenses that were incurred during your employment toward the balance in your FSA until for up to 90 days following the benefit termination date.

Employees may choose to continue health care FSA participation on an after-tax basis through the COBRA administrator.

Participation in a dependent care FSA for all employee types will terminate on the date they end employment. You may submit reimbursement requests for expenses that were incurred during your employment toward the balance in your FSA until for up to 90 days following the benefit termination date. There is no continuation for a dependent care FSA.

Group term life insurance and voluntary group term life insurance coverage for all employee types will terminate on the last day of the month in which they end employment.

You may be able to continue all or a portion of your insurance or convert to an individual policy.

Faculty, Admin Pro, Non-Classified Staff will automatically be mailed a letter with conversion or portability options, or employees can call Sun Life Financial  at 800-451-4531. The group life policy number is 978964.

The employee and employer contributions to either the Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) or Colorado PERA end upon termination from the university. For information on options relative to the retirement accounts, employees should contact their vendor directly. 

Fidelity: 800-343-0860
Colorado PERA: 800-759-7372

Employee Study Privilege: If an employee leaves CSU or has an FTE change during the middle of an academic term, they are eligible to receive the Employee Study Privilege through the end of the semester in which their employment status changes. 

Tuition Scholarship for Eligible Family Members: Tuition scholarship assistance will cease immediately after the academic year in which the change in employment status occurs.

Faculty, Admin Pro, Non-Classified Staff: Upon termination, employees who have worked for the University for at least 6 months shall be paid for their accrued annual leave up to 24 days. Sick leave is only payable upon retirement from the University. 

State Classified Staff: Upon termination, unused annual leave is paid out up to the maximum accrual rate based upon years of service at CSU:

  • 5 years: 27 days
  • 6 – 10 years: 33 days
  • 11 – 15: 39 days
  • 16 and more: 48 days

Sick leave is only payable upon retirement from the University.

Most employees of the University are covered by the Colorado Employment Security Act of 1971. Graduate assistants, veterinary residents, fellowship grant trainees, student hourly and work study students are not covered. Covered employees who leave the University may be entitled to unemployment benefits, and may file a claim on the basis of wages earned at the University provided the terms and conditions of the Colorado Employment Security Act are met. All cases are handled separately and rulings determining eligibility are made on an individual basis.

You may file a claim by contacting the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment at (800) 388-5515.

COBRA

State Classified

The Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) allows employees and their covered dependents to continue group health coverage under certain circumstances. The State uses a COBRA third-party administrator (TPA). The TPA is responsible for sending COBRA notices and for managing COBRA enrollment, billing, payment, and cancellation. Your COBRA coverage will become effective once your first premium is received by the COBRA TPA. Coverage is retroactive once payment is received.

For questions related to enrollment or payment, contact the COBRA Third-Party Administrator (TPA) at:

  • Phone – 1-877-725-4545
Photo of mountains with yellow trees in the front

A COBRA enrollment packet will be mailed to the address in Workday within 7 business days of the entry of your separation date into the system. 

Additional Benefits Plan Continuation
Flexible Spending Accounts

Participation in a health care FSA for all employee types will terminate on the last day of the month in which they end employment. You may submit reimbursement requests for expenses that were incurred during your employment toward the balance in your FSA until for up to 90 days following the benefit termination date.

Employees may choose to continue health care FSA participation on an after-tax basis through the COBRA administrator.

Participation in a dependent care FSA for all employee types will terminate on the date they end employment. You may submit reimbursement requests for expenses that were incurred during your employment toward the balance in your FSA until for up to 90 days following the benefit termination date. There is no continuation for a dependent care FSA.

Group term life insurance and voluntary group term life insurance coverage for all employee types will terminate on the last day of the month in which they end employment.

You may be able to continue all or a portion of your insurance or convert to an individual policy.

State of Colorado’s Securian Financial/Minnesota Life Insurance Company Group ID: 33780-G

The employee and employer contributions to Colorado PERA end upon your separation from employment from the university. For information on options relative to the retirement accounts, employees should contact PERA directly. 

Colorado PERA: 800-759-7372

Employee Study Privilege: If an employee leaves CSU or has an FTE change during the middle of an academic term, they are eligible to receive the Employee Study Privilege through the end of the semester in which their employment status changes. 

Tuition Scholarship for Eligible Family Members: Tuition scholarship assistance will cease immediately after the academic year in which the change in employment status occurs.

State Classified Staff: Upon termination, unused annual leave is paid out up to the maximum accrual rate based upon years of service at CSU:

  • 5 years: 27 days
  • 6 – 10 years: 33 days
  • 11 – 15: 39 days
  • 16 and more: 48 days

Sick leave is only payable upon retirement from the University.

Most employees of the University are covered by the Colorado Employment Security Act of 1971. Graduate assistants, veterinary residents, fellowship grant trainees, student hourly and work study students are not covered. Covered employees who leave the University may be entitled to unemployment benefits, and may file a claim on the basis of wages earned at the University provided the terms and conditions of the Colorado Employment Security Act are met. All cases are handled separately and rulings determining eligibility are made on an individual basis.

You may file a claim by contacting the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment at (800) 388-5515.