If you are planning a leave of absence to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or to take a sabbatical or fulfill a military obligation, you'll want to understand the resources available to you when you're away from work. Here are some steps you may take:

• Check with your employer to learn application procedures and benefit policies, and let your employer know when you will be leaving and when you expect to return. If you serve a church, coordinate with the congregation to see that the good work will continue.
  
  
• If your leave is for anticipated medical reasons, such as childbirth or elective surgery, be sure to follow your medical plan's procedures if your plan requires you to obtain advance authorization of a hospital stay or surgery.
  
  
• Depending on the type of leave you are taking, you may be eligible to keep your benefits or to enroll for continued coverage. Be sure you know the options available to you.
  
  
• Check your options for keeping your retirement savings going and be sure to make arrangements to pay any insurance premiums, such as for long-term care insurance, so your policies don't lapse.
  
  
• If you work for an employer subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (generally FMLA applies to employers with more than 50 employees) you may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave within 12 months. Check with your employer to see what advance notice is required for your leave.
  
  
• Contact your employer to provide:
  
  
  • Your address, if it will change during your leave
    
    
  • Your tax withholding, if you need to change it
    
  
  
• Speak to your lawyer if you need to create or change your will or other legal documents.
  
  
• The Tools section can help you model the effect your leave could have on your future savings needs and how much you want to set aside for a health care flexible spending account or a dependent care flexible spending account.