Each year, employees filling certain designated positions are required to complete a Statement of Financial Interests Form and submit it to the Department of State in Tallahassee by July 1.  At the University of South Florida we have approximately 75 positions which are so designated. 

The forms are mailed directly from the State to the incumbents of the designated positions.  Most affected individuals should have received the form and the guide by now.  The forms must be completed, signed, and returned to Tallahassee, even if none of the items apply.

We recommend you retain a copy of the completed form for your records.

Do not send the completed forms to Human Resources.  The mailing address is listed on the back of the form.

If you have any questions regarding the requirement to file or the form itself, please contact either Nancy Ward at ext. 45385 or Sandy Lovins at ext. 48063.

UPDATE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS

The Division of Retirement is preparing to create the 2006 Annual Statements for FRS Pension Plan participants. To ensure that you receive your statement in a timely fashion, please take the opportunity to review and update your mailing address on file with the University. 

Your mailing address maybe accessed on line through GEMS Self Service. To access GEMS Self Service, click on the link and follow the steps below:

If you have any questions concerning GEMS Self Service, please contact Human Resources at 974-2970.

New employees may enroll in any benefit plans for which they are eligible within 60 days from their date of hire.   All employees are given the opportunity to change their benefit plan selections once a year, during Open Enrollment.  Otherwise, employees enrolled in benefits through the State Group Insurance Program may not change their benefit elections during the course of a plan year (January 1^st – December 31^st) unless they experience a Qualifying Status Change (QSC) event.  This is in accordance with IRS regulations regarding pre-tax premium plans.

QSC events include, but are not limited to:

Marriage or divorce
Death of a spouse or dependent
Birth, adoption, or legal guardianship
Change in employment status of employee, spouse, or dependent, including

·        Termination of spouse’s or dependent’s employment

·        Unpaid leave of absence over one calendar month

·        Change from part-time to full-time status or vice-vers

If you experience a QSC and wish to make a change to your benefits, you must notify People First within 31 days of the QSC.    If notification is received more than 31 days after the event, the request for changes will be denied and cannot be processed until the next annual Open Enrollment period.  Please note that if you experience a QSC due to the birth of a child, you have 60 days (instead of 31 days) from the date of birth to add the new born to your benefits

To make a change to your benefits as a result of a QSC, you may contact People First at 1-866-663-4735 (toll free) or you may contact your Benefits Office.