Postdoc Benefits

GW values the contributions that postdocs make to further the university’s research mission. Just as you are committed to advancing your research and scholarship, it is also important to take time to focus on your health and well-being goals.

The university offers a Postdoc Benefit Program*, to both postdoc associates and scholars, including health and welfare benefits, well-being programs, as well as optional voluntary benefits. You will be required to make active enrollment decisions among the health and welfare benefit offerings in order to have coverage in 2026, as current benefit elections will not automatically rollover. 

*Important Note: Additional benefits may be available based on your Associate or Scholar classification. See below.

Classifications

A GW postdoc is grouped into one of the following classifications, depending on the nature of their association with the university and form of financial support:

• Postdoctoral Associates
  • Postdoctoral Associate is the title given to a postdoc who receives financial support in the form of a salary, paid by GW payroll, that is typically funded by grants, contracts or departmental funds secured by a faculty mentor. In these cases the source of funding does not restrict direct payment/employment from the university.
• Postdoctoral Scholar
  • Postdoctoral Scholar is the title given to a postdoc who receives financial support in the form of a fellowship or stipend, paid by GW via accounts payable, on behalf of an external sponsor. In many such cases, due to the requirements of the funding source, scholars cannot be considered GW employees, but they are fully associated with the university and the postdoctoral community.  

For questions regarding your classification, please contact postdocsupportgwu [dot] edu (postdocsupport[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Your Benefits

While we strive to maintain consistency in benefits for both associates and scholars, the pay mechanism (i.e. whether paid from payroll or accounts payable) does create some differences in the offerings. Please review the information below for benefit plan details:

Benefits Programs Available to all Postdoc Associates and Scholars

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Medical
  • Aetna Transition PDF
  • 24 Hour Nurse Line
  • Aetna Health App & New Member Website
  • Find a Provider
• Pharmacy
• Dental
  • Dental PPO (High) Benefit Summary
  • Dental PPO (Low) Benefit Summary
  • Dental DMO Benefit Summary
  • Find a Provider
• Vision
  • Vision Benefit Summary
  • Vision Provider Network
  • Vision Welcome Brochure
  • myuhc.com website
  • Contact Lens Selection List
  • Glasses Lens Options
  • Laser Vision Correction
• Simple Therapy
  • A musculoskeletal program available to Postdocs as well as their covered dependents (age 18 or older) who are enrolled in the GW Postdoc PPO.   
• Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
• Basic Long Term Disability
• Aetna One Choice
  • A clinical support program for chronic condition diagnoses, including cancer through Aetna. Their clinical team will work with you to get the treatment, care and support that you and your family need.

Voluntary Benefits

• Pet insurance
• Identity theft protection
• Group rates from Liberty Mutual
• Capital Bikeshare
• Critical Illness
• Hospital Indemnity
• Group Legal

Well-Being and Work-Life programs

• Headspace
• Employee Assistance Program with Textcoach
• Family Care benefits
• Health Advocate
• Real Appeal
• Aetna Enhanced Maternity Management Program
  • If you are pregnant and covered under a GW health plan, you are eligible to participate in the Aetna Maternity Management Program at no cost. The Aetna Enhanced Maternity Program supports all members regardless of risk level throughout their entire maternity journey. Program components include Obstetrical-experienced nurse care management for members with conditions that place them at risk for unfavorable outcomes, mental health support including referral to AbleTo (stress, depression, postpartum and anxiety support) and other plan BH benefits, Behavioral Health Specialist support for Women’s Health, postpartum depression screening and support, resources and educational materials through the Maternity Support Center on Aetna.com.

Retirement Savings Counseling

• Retirement Counseling

Time Off Programs Available to all Postdoc Associates and Scholars

The following vacation time policy will apply based on a postdoc’s start date and months of service. In addition, postdocs will accrue 12 days of sick time per fiscal year. Use of time off must be approved by the faculty mentor.

Vacation Time Policy

• For Postdocs with a start date prior to 1/1/22:

GW Service Time	Monthly Accrual Rate (Hours)	Maximum Vacation Hours
0 - 47 months	12	216
48+ months	14	252

 

• For Postdocs with a start date of 1/1/22 and after:

Monthly Accrual Rate (Hours)	Maximum Vacation Hours
12	216

 

• Part-time Postdoc Scholars and Associates accrue vacation time based on years of benefits-eligible service (if applicable) and percentage of effort.

Pandemic Time

The university’s time off policy was enhanced in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency by adding a temporary paid time off option, Pandemic Time (PND), to the accrual balances of eligible postdocs. Beginning May 12, 2023, postdocs will no longer be provided new balances, however, any remaining balances will still be available to those that were hired and who begin work on or before May 11, 2023. For questions regarding when PND can be used or how to enter PND time in the Time Reporting System (TRS), please contact timeoffemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu (timeoff[at]gwu[dot]edu). 

Postdoc Time Off and Leave Guide

The Postdoc Support Office maintains a Postdocs Time Off and Leave Guide, which provides details on paid time off and leave of absence programs, including eligibility, accrual rates, manager tips and more.

Please note that personal leave is managed at the department level. Postdocs must complete the personal leave request form (PDF) as far in advance of the intended leave as possible.

For questions about your time off and leave benefits, please contact the Postdoc Support Office at postdocsupportgwu [dot] edu (postdocsupport[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Benefits available to Postdoc Associates

Retirement Savings

• The 403(b) for postdoc associate contributions
• The 401(a) for university base and match contributions

Pre-Tax Transportation

• Pre-Tax Parking
• WMATA – SMARTrip

Tuition Programs

• Tuition Exchange
• Tuition Remission

 

Benefits Guide and Resources

Please take some time to review the Benefits guide, Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) PPO Postdoc, contribution rates, and other benefits information and resources. You can also view open enrollment information here.

We’re Here to Help

• GW Benefits is available M-F from 8:30 a.m.—5 p.m. ET by email at benefitsgwu [dot] edu (benefits[at]gwu[dot]edu) and by phone at (571) 553-8382 to assist with postdoc benefit program questions.
• Contact the Benefits Call Center at 833-698-0324 for assistance with any enrollment system questions.