STATE OF CONNECTICUT
NANCY WYMAN COMPTROLLER	OFFICE OF THE STATE COMPTROLLER 55 ELM STREET HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06106-1775	MARK OJAKIAN DEPUTY COMPTROLLER

MEMORANDUM NO. 2005-30

August 31, 2005

TO THE HEADS OF ALL STATE AGENCIES 

I. AUTHORITY

State legislation provides for additional benefits and compensation for State employees called to active military service in the armed forces of any state or the United States for Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, a related emergency operation, or a military operation whose mission was substantially changed as a result of the attacks of September 11, 2001, or for federal action or state action authorized by the Governor in support of the federal Department of Homeland Security's Operation Liberty Shield, military operations that are authorized by the President of the United States that entail military action against Iraq, or federal action or state action authorized by the Governor to combat terrorism within the United States.

II. BENEFITS PROVIDED

The State will make provision for the payment of the difference between basic military compensation and the employee's base pay plus longevity for all full time State employees called to active military service as noted above in Section I.

In addition, Public Act 03-3 provides for the continuation of health insurance coverage for the employee and the dependents of such employee and group life insurance on the employee, if such an election was made. 

This act has no effect on Section 27-33 of the Connecticut General Statutes and provisions of various collective bargaining agreements that provide for up to thirty (30) days of paid leave per calendar year when State employees are ordered to active duty. In fact continuation of insurance benefits and the payment of the differential salary will take place after the end of the thirty (30) day period.

III. PROCEDURES

In addition to the information requested in Comptroller's Memorandum 2005-29, agencies should collect the following information from all employees who are in the military reserve, including the National Guard, whether or not they have been called to active duty:

• A notarized Payroll Information Release Form that gives the Comptroller the authority to request payroll information from the military. This will be done only if an agency is unable to attain an activated employee's military LES (Leave and Earnings Statement). The attached form can be photocopied as needed. The Payroll Information Release Form can also be accessed on the State of Connecticut Comptroller's Forms website.
• Fax the signed and completed form to the Fiscal Policy Division at (860) 702-3441 or mail to: Office of the State Comptroller, 55 Elm Street, Room 219, Hartford, CT 06106 Attn: Christine Grodzki.

For employees called to active military duty the following information should be obtained: 

• Gross military pay.
• Copy of military activation orders.
• Election of power of attorney if so elected (a certified copy is required).
• Advice on mailing address for future pay checks.
• Whether the employee wants to continue group life insurance coverage or dependent health insurance. The group life insurance coverage and dependent health insurance may be continued only if the employee was covered on the date of activation and the employee share of the premium is continued. (Note that the employee is also required to continue paying his/her share during any leave under Section 27-33 of the Connecticut General Statutes). If group life insurance coverage is cancelled for non-payment of premium during the leave and the employee wishes to participate in the life insurance plan at a later date, evidence of insurability will be required.
• Whether other elected payroll deductions should be continued; i.e., deferred compensation, credit union, The Connecticut State Employees' Campaign for Charitable Giving, etc.

IV. GENERAL INFORMATION

Employees with questions as to whether they are eligible to receive the benefits should contact their Agency Human Resources Office.

Questions concerning this memorandum should be directed to the Fiscal Policy Division at (860) 702-3440.

NANCY WYMAN
STATE COMPTROLLER

NW:CG

Attachment  - EXCEL form

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