Summary of Benefits
Trinity University allocates flex dollars annually to all regular employees to assist in payment of premiums for Medical, Dental, Life, Disability, and Vision insurance, as well as to offset Dependent Care and Medical expenses. Part-time employees who work 30 or more hours per week will be entitled to participate on a reduced basis. Listed below is a brief overview of benefits offered under the Trinity University Flexible Benefits Plan:
Medical Insurance -- Medical insurance is available at the time of hire for all eligible employees. The effective date of coverage is the first of the month following the date of hire. Coverage is available for employees and their dependents. Effective September 1, 2004, Trinity University joined the newly created ICUT (Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas) program named CARES (Collegiate Association Resource of the Southwest) consisting of a consortium of five Texas Private Colleges representing more than 2,900 employee lives. We contract with Cigna to process our claims and as the PPO network provider. There are three plan options available. If coverage is not taken at the time of hire it may not be added except during annual open enrollment periods or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Dental Insurance -- Dental insurance is available to
eligible employees at the
time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following
the date of hire. Coverage is available for employees and their dependents
through Delta Dental. There are two plan options available, an indemnity plan
(DPO)
and a dental HMO (DHMO). Dental insurance may be added during any annual open
enrollment period or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Standard Life
Insurance –
All benefit eligible employees will receive a $10,000 term life policy at the
time of hire, courtesy of Trinity University. Additional life insurance
may be purchased as a “buy up”. The effective date of the insurance “buy
up” is the first of the month following the date of hire. Insurance “buy
up” is available in amounts equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 times the annual salary.
Dependent life insurance for spouse and children is also available at $5,000 for
a spouse and at $2,000
per child. Employees that decline enrollment at the time of hire may participate in the
program only with evidence of insurability and may enroll only during an annual
open enrollment period for the next benefit plan year or within 30 days of a
valid family status change.
Standard Disability Insurance -- Disability insurance is available after completing one year of service with Trinity University. Employees that decline enrollment at the time of their one-year anniversary may participate in the program only with evidence of insurability and may enroll only during annual open enrollment periods for the next benefit plan year or within 30 days of a valid family status change. New employees who were covered under a comparable disability plan with a previous employer are eligible for Trinity's long-term disability insurance immediately. Certification of previous coverage is required and such coverage must have been in force within 3 months of employment with Trinity University. This Disability insurance will pay 60% of the employee's salary up until age 65 or until no longer disabled.
Mass-Mutual/Paul Revere Income Protection (Supplemental Disability) -- Income protection is a supplement to disability insurance for short- and long-term disabilities. This income protection does not offset the Standard Disability benefit. Employees are eligible after one year of employment and must be enrolled in the Standard Disability plan.
Compbenefits Vision Plan -- Vision Care is available to employees and their dependents at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. Coverage includes both eye exams and materials (frames and lenses or contact lenses) with an available benefit every 12 months. It may be added during annual open enrollment periods or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Dependent Care Assistance Program -- Employees with children age 13 or younger or that have the responsibility of providing care for adults not capable of caring for themselves (must be IRS dependents) may take advantage of this income tax savings plan. Your Trinity flexible benefit allowance may be used for the dependent's care expenses and any excess amount may be "pre-taxed." Employees and dependents are eligible at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. It may be added during annual open enrollment periods or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Medical Spending Account -- Another income tax savings plan that may be used for most out of pocket medical, dental and vision care expenses including co-payments, deductibles and co-insurance. The Trinity flexible benefit allowance may be used for the account and any excess amount may be “pre-taxed”. Employees and their dependents are eligible at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. It may be added during annual open enrollment periods or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
OTHER TRINITY BENEFITS
Retirement -- After 2 years of service and attaining age 21, Trinity employees must begin participation in a retirement program through TIAA-CREF (Teachers Insurance Annuity Association - College Retirements Equities Fund) or through Fidelity Investments. Trinity contributes 10% of the employee's salary minus any pre-tax deductions for insurance benefits and the employee contributes a minimum of 3% into the fund(s) of their choice (fixed, variable or mutual fund).
Long Term Care -- Coverage that may be purchased through MetLife on an after-tax payroll deduction for nursing home care, assisted living and day home care for the elderly. Employees, dependents, parents, and parent-in-laws are eligible at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. Premiums may be paid through payroll deduction. This coverage may be added at any time throughout the year.
Auto and Umbrella Liability Insurance -- The auto and umbrella liability insurance is available through the Merastar Prudential Insurance Company at the time of hire or any time there after. Employees coordinate directly with Merastar Prudential. Premiums may be paid through payroll deduction and the rates are group rates, but are not cost-shared by the University. Employees are eligible at the time of hire or at any time thereafter.
Direct Deposit -- After an employee's first payroll, his/her request for direct deposit may be processed. Payroll checks may be directly deposited into checking or savings accounts at any credit union, savings and loan, or banking institution that accepts direct deposit.
University Club -- Membership in the University Club is available to faculty, contract and classified staff at the time of hire or any time thereafter. The membership dues will be deducted from the employee's payroll check.
Tuition Remission -- Full-time, regular employees are eligible to take one course per semester at no expense with no waiting period. Benefits are extended to spouses and children after a designated waiting period.
Savings Bonds -- A minimum of $12.50 per paycheck may be payroll deducted to put toward the purchase of a U.S. Savings Bond. Bonds may be purchased in denominations of $100, $200, $500 and $1,000.
Wellness Program – The Physical Education Department offers the Wellness Program that provides employees with fitness activities (aerobics, tai chi, yoga, etc.), screenings, seminars, handouts, etc. to all employees.
LEAVE BENEFITS
Vacation -- Contract employees will receive 20 days of vacation per year. Classified employees will receive 12 days of vacation leave during the first five years of employment, 15 days from years six through ten and 20 days per year after 10 years of employment. All vacation leave will accrue on the 1st of each month. During the initial six months of employment no vacation leave may be taken. At no time may the total vacation balance exceed one year's accrual. Part-time employees will accrue vacation on a pro-rated basis.
Sick Leave – Contract and classified staff accrue one sick leave day per month with a maximum of 130 days. All sick leave will accrue on the 1st of each month. Part-time employees will accrue sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
University Disability Leave -- Contract and classified staff begin to accrue 44 days of university disability leave after one year of employment up to a maximum of 130 days. See the complete policy or contact Human Resources for more details.
Court Leave -- Contract and classified staff will be granted a leave with pay to attend court as a juror or non-professional witness for the state. Evidence of attendance may be required.
Funeral Leave -- Contract and classified staff will be granted up to three days of funeral leave in the event of the death of a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent or corresponding in-law relationship.
Military Leave -- An employee who is an active member of the military shall be granted leave without pay for voluntary or involuntary training or service. The employee will be responsible for full payment of benefit premiums.
Extended Leave of Absence -- Employees may be granted extended leaves of absence without pay for extended illness or other personal reasons based upon individual consideration. Accrued vacation and/or sick leave must first be exhausted and the total leave without pay should generally not exceed four months.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) -- Employees may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, including the employee's own serious health condition. Please apply in writing through the Office of Human Resources. The Trinity flexible benefit allowance will continue to be provided while on FMLA. Any sick and/or vacation leave will be used to pay the employee.
The Faculty/Contract Staff Handbook may be accessed through the Academic Affairs website at http://www.trinity.edu/departments/academic_affairs/hb/index/.htm.
The Personnel Policies Governing Classified Employees Manual is available for review in your department and is provided to all new classified employees during their benefit orientation. Should you have any questions regarding policies and procedures please contact the Office of Human Resources at extension 7507.
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