Benefits

The university offers a competitive benefits package. Many of these benefits are provided at no cost to you. However, some plans require you to contribute financially in order to participate.

The information in this handbook summarizes benefits available to regular employees at the time of its publication. Except as specifically noted or defined by contract provisions, this information also applies to researchers and employees in collective bargaining units. Detailed information about these plans is included in plan documents and brochures or is available through the Benefits website.

Please note that the university makes benefits available to regular employees who are part of a civil union, same/opposite-sex domestic partnership and who have completed and had the appropriate declaration forms approved by Benefits.

The university reserves the right to modify or discontinue its benefits program in whole or in part at any time. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the terms of the individual certificates or group insurance contracts and this document, the terms of the contracts/certificates control. You should carefully review the benefit plan documents, including any restrictions, limitations, exclusions, applicable copayments and deductibles, and tax implications before enrolling in any benefit plan.

Regular full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible for university benefits. Regular full-time positions usually last more than six months and are generally
scheduled an average of 40 hours per workweek (also can be scheduled between 35 and 40 hours per week).

Regular part-time positions are anticipated to last for a minimum of one fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) and are scheduled to work more than 14 hours and fewer than 35 hours per workweek. Regular part-time employees are eligible for benefits, prorated to the number of hours they are scheduled to work per workweek divided by 40.

  • Information about most benefits offered to you by the university can be found on the Benefits website.
  • Information about the university’s parking and commuter benefits (and other payroll issues) can be found on the Payroll Services Website.

Services are available to assist regular staff with resources and counseling for child care and elder care needs.

The Wellbeing Hotline also provides support and resources.

You must have a valid Social Security account number to be employed at the university. You are covered by the provisions of the Old Age, Survivor, Disability Insurance Act of 1935, as amended-commonly referred to as Social Security. The university and its employees are required to make tax contributions toward Social Security benefits in accordance with current federal regulations.

You can receive Social Security retirement benefits in addition to any benefits received through participation in the university's retirement plans. Social Security disability benefits are also administered by the Social Security Administration and are a factor in determining benefits provided by the university's long-term disability benefits plan.

The university maintains Workers' Compensation Insurance coverage for employees who sustain an injury or illness compensable by law. The university pays the full cost of the workers' compensation insurance. All workers' compensation claims are subject to evaluation and investigation by the university and its insurance carrier. If you are injured while performing university duties, you must report the injury promptly to your immediate supervisor or Human Resources Representative and to the university’s Office of Risk Management. For more information and accident reporting forms, visit the university's Risk Management Website.

University employees are covered in accordance with applicable unemployment compensation laws and regulations. All unemployment compensation forms or contacts related to unemployment compensation should be delivered or referred to Human Resource Management and Development.