Benefits and Services

Faculty members participate in the TIAA-CREF retirement program.  Their contributions to the program are matched by the University up to a limit that varies with age. The University provides basic long-term disability and life insurance, with the option of purchasing additional coverage.  In addition, faculty members receive their choice among several health insurance policies which include medical, prescription, vision, dental, and mental health care.

Health benefits are available to domestic partners, as well as to spouses. The university greatly subsidizes, but no longer fully funds, medical insurance for the faculty member and his/her family. Retired faculty members are allowed to purchase the health insurance as their primary plan until age 65, at which time the state’s plan will be secondary to Medicare. For more information visit the Human Resource Services benefits website or call HRS at 509-335-4521

Disability and Life Insurance

The University provides basic long-term disability and life insurance.  Faculty members have the option of purchasing additional coverage.

Health Insurance

Faculty members receive their choice among several health insurance policies which include medical, prescription, vision, dental, and mental health care.  Health benefits are available to domestic partners, as well as to spouses. The university greatly subsidizes, but no longer fully funds, medical insurance for the faculty member and his/her family. Retired faculty members are allowed to purchase the health insurance as their primary plan until age 65, at which time the state’s plan will be secondary to Medicare.

Retirement

Faculty members participate in the TIAA-CREF retirement program.  Their contributions to the program are matched by the University up to a limit that varies with age.

Faculty members who are 55 years old or older and who have served the University for at least 10 years can reduce their work time from 100% to 50% over a period of up to seven years. The details are negotiated on an individual basis. Phased retirement guidelines (PDF)

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

An FSA lets you deduct dollars from your paycheck and put them into a special account that’s protected from taxes. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for some of your health care expenses.