When do benefits start?
ASAP
You can use some benefits
as soon as you’re hired.
Your effective date
Most plans have an “effective date” based
on your date of hire when your
coverage begins.
After a full year
A few programs take
12 months for coverage
to start.
If you’re a full-time hourly associate, you can enroll for benefits after you get your first paycheck, and then you’ll have about three months to enroll.
Specifically, you can enroll for benefits at any time between the date of your first paycheck and the first of the calendar month in which you complete your 89th day of employment.
For example, let's say you're hired on May 11, 2021. Your 89th day of employment will be August 8. So you can enroll any time after May 11 and before August 1. Your effective date, or when you become eligible for benefits, will be August 1. See below for plan-by-plan details.
If you use tobacco and don’t agree to complete a program to quit, you’ll pay higher rates for medical, optional associate life insurance, spouse/partner life insurance, and critical illness insurance. For help quitting, check out our Quit Tobacco programs.
When can you enroll? When do your benefits start?
For all full-time hourly associates except Vision Center managers
| Plan | When you can enroll |
When benefits take effect |
Medical Vision Dental (enrollment is for two full calendar years) AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment) Critical illness insurance Accident insurance |
Between the date of your first paycheck and your effective date, which is the first day of the calendar month during which your 89th day of continuous, full-time employment falls | The first day of the calendar month during which your 89th day of continuous full-time employment falls |
| Company-paid life insurance | Automatically enrolled on the first day of the calendar month during which your 89th day of continuous, full-time employment falls | Immediately once you’re enrolled |
Business travel accident insurance Resources for Living® |
Automatically enrolled on your date of hire | Your date of hire |
| Short-term disability basic plan (not available in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, or Rhode Island) | Automatically enrolled on your 12-month anniversary date of hire | Immediately once you’re enrolled |
Optional associate life insurance Optional dependent life insurance |
Between the date of your first paycheck and the day before your effective date | The first day of the calendar month during which your 89th day of continuous, full-time employment falls |
Short-term disability enhanced plan (not available in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, or Rhode Island; New York short-term disability enhanced plan is available in New York) Long-term disability (LTD) plan LTD enhanced plan |
Between the date of your first paycheck and your effective date, which is the first day of the calendar month during which your 89th day of continuous, full-time employment falls | Your 12-month anniversary date of hire |
For Vision Center managers
| Plan | When you can enroll | When benefits take effect |
Medical Vision Dental (enrollment is for two full calendar years) AD&D (accidental death and dismemberment) Critical illness insurance Accident insurance |
Between the date of your first paycheck and the 60th day after your date of hire | Your date of hire |
| Company-paid life insurance | Automatically enrolled on your date of hire | Your date of hire |
Business travel accident insurance Resources for Living® Short-term disability enhanced plan (not available in California, Hawaii, New Jersey, or Rhode Island; New York short-term disability enhanced plan is available in New York) |
Automatically enrolled on your date of hire | Your date of hire |
Optional associate life insurance Optional dependent life insurance |
Between the date of your first paycheck and the 60th day after your date of hire | Your guaranteed issue amount becomes effective on your enrollment date, your eligibility date, or your date of hire, whichever is later. If you enroll for more than the guaranteed issue amount, your coverage will be effective upon approval by Prudential or on your benefits eligibility date, whichever is later |
Short-term disability enhanced plan (not available in California, Hawaii, New Jersey or Rhode Island; New York short-term disability enhanced plan is available in New York) Long-term disability (LTD) plan LTD enhanced plan |
Between the date of your first paycheck and the 60th day after your date of hire | Your date of hire |
More resources
Need help?
Call People Services at 
See the 2020 Associate Benefits Book with 2021 Summary of Material Modifications for more information about your benefits and eligibility. This document will control in the event of any conflict.
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