Insurance

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Last updated: Oct 16, 2024 by Stephanie Mason

BENEFITS

EMU’s fiscal year and benefits year is July 1-June 30 annually

Eligibility is determined by “Full-time” status that is equal to working 1,560 hours or more (75% or .75 FTE or greater). Employees who were eligible for benefits on June 30, 2006, have a different eligibility scale. Contact Human Resources for more information.

MEDICAL EXPENSE PLAN

Cost:               EMU pays 90% for employee premium and 50% for spouse and/or dependent coverage on the high deductible health plan.

Enrollment:    Medical insurance coverage begins on the first day of employment.  This enrollment must occur within the first 30 days of employment.

Additional information:

  • Provided through Mennonite Educators Benefit Plan.
  • The high-deductible plan has an annual deductible of $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for family. Once the deductible is reached, the plan pays 100%.
  • Preventive health care is provided at 100% under the Highmark Preventive Schedule.

WELLNESS PLAN/HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)

Eastern Mennonite University promotes a wellness initiative. Employees who are covered by the EMU health plan participate by receiving a preventive physical between July 1 and May 31 each year. This exam is covered at 100% by the medical plan. For those who choose to participate, they will receive a contribution from EMU in their HSA.

The contribution is $42.50 for employee-only coverage or $85.00 per month for employee + dependent coverage (spouse or child)

LIFE INSURANCE

Cost:               All cost paid by EMU

Enrollment:    Begins the first of the month following the beginning of employment.

Additional information:

  • Provided by UNUM.
  • Coverage is equal to 1-1/2 times current annual salary up to $150,000 maximum.
  • Accidental death or dismemberment coverage also provided under this policy.
  • Policy expires at the end of the month following termination of employment or retirement.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

Cost:               All cost paid by EMU

Enrollment:    Begins the first of the month following the beginning of employment.

Additional information:

  • Long-term disability is provided through UNUM. It begins after 180 days of disability. The benefit will pay two-thirds (2/3) of your monthly earnings, less other income sources, up to the maximum amount of $8000/month once approved. For disabilities occurring before age 62, benefits may last up to your Social Security Normal Retirement Age as long as you continue to be deemed disabled and meet eligibility criteria.
  • Short-term disability is a payroll practice of EMU. The benefit will pay two-thirds (2/3) of your weekly pay, up to the maximum amount of $1200/week once approved. Benefits begin after 15 calendar days where an employee must use PTO, if available. This policy pays out up to 10 weeks and may run concurrently with FMLA leave as long as you continue to be deemed disabled. There is a pre-existing condition exclusion.

RETIREMENT PLAN

403(b) Employer Contributions

Enrollment:    Begins with signed enrollment form at the beginning of employment. Contributions begin after a two‑year employment period has been satisfied. 

Additional information:

  • Provided through Mennonite Retirement Trust.
  • Fully vested employer contribution to the 403(b) plan.
  • Current contribution rate is 3.75% of qualifying compensation.
  • See "summary plan description" for basic information.

403(b) Employee Contributions

Individuals can also contribute to Mennonite Retirement Trust. For more information, contact human resources.

TUITION DISCOUNT

Discounts are available for tuition charges (not including special fees) at EMU. Discounts are applicable for university courses for tuition or audit.  This discount granted at the beginning of the semester will generally remain the same for the entire semester regardless of a workload change during that time.

Additional information:

  • Full‑time employees receive tuition discount benefits when they reach the 3rd year of employment. 4 SH per semester for a maximum of 8 SH in a year. Prorated 1st year of employment is 3 SH; 2nd year of employment – 6 SH.
  • Spouses of eligible employees receive up to 50% tuition discount.
  • Dependent children through age 24 are eligible to receive up to 50% tuition discount. This is one discount per child from parent or parent couple employed. Children who attend other Mennonite colleges may also be eligible for discounts at those institutions (Check with the Financial Assistance office for a current list of participating institutions.).
  • Employees and spouses enrolled in the degree completion program are eligible for a discount of up to 50% of tuition charges.
  • For spouses, children, and degree completion programs, the prorated benefit for those employed less than 3 years is as follows: 1st year of employment – 10% discount; 2nd year of employment 25% discount
  • Tuition discounts are not automatic. You must apply for the discount at the financial assistance office.
  • A tuition discount will be applied to the student aid package after another grant aid is awarded.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN Section 125

Enrollment:     Begins with signed enrollment form at the beginning of employment.  This enrollment must occur within the first 30 days of employment.

Additional information:

  • Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code allows employees to convert taxable cash (salary) into non‑taxable benefits.
  • Benefits under the plan are funded through a salary reduction agreement.
  • The plan is in four basic parts:
  1. Premium conversion program for health-related premiums
  2. Medical expense reimbursement
  3. Health savings account (only available for individuals on the high deductible health plan)
  4. Dependent care reimbursement
  • Election of eligible expenses is made at the beginning of each plan year for a July 1 effective date.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Participation:  All regular employees (excludes temporary and adjunct faculty) and anyone in their household. Optima EAP representatives will locate a counselor near your home or work and help schedule your appointment. Offers five (5) free in-person counseling sessions.  Call 1-800-899-8174

Additional information:

  • Articles and additional resources can be found at OptimaEAP.com
  • Username: EMU

 VOLUNTARY BENEFITS

  • Principal Dental Insurance – high and low plans
  • Principal Vision Insurance – managed by VSP
  • Principal Accident Insurance
  • Principal Critical Illness Insurance
  • UNUM Life Insurance (Employee, Spouse, Child)
  • UNUM Accidental Death and Dismemberment (Employee, Spouse, Child)

SOCIAL SECURITY

All employees are enrolled for social security benefits under the current provisions of the FICA laws - except for ordained or licensed ministers in the exercise of their ministry whose participation is on a "self‑employed" basis. EMU contributes an amount equal to employee contributions for those "self employed" employees.

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Workers’ compensation provides benefits to employees who sustain work‑related injuries/illnesses while carrying out the duties and responsibilities of employment.

 

PAID LEAVE

HOLIDAYS

EMU provides 14 paid holidays:

  • Good Friday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Day before Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving
  • Day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Break – eight (8) days

PAID TIME OFF (PTO)
PTO is for personal time. It is used for events such as illness, bereavement, weather related events, school, church, or community events. Employees receive 15 days of paid time off each fiscal year.

PTO cannot be rolled over from year to year and is not paid out when employment ends.

VACATION

Vacation is for extended planned time off. Employees earn vacation by years of service at the university:

  • 0 to <3 years           2 weeks vacation
  • 3 to <10 years         3 weeks vacation
  • 10+ years               4 weeks vacation

Vacation cannot be rolled over from year to year and is not paid out when employment ends.

Prorated vacation and PTO amounts are added for new hires according to the start date during the benefit year.  

REMUNERATION

  • Salary statements are issued to faculty annually in July. Administrators, office and facilities staff will receive salary change forms when there is an adjustment on pay. (The fiscal year is July 1 to June 30.)
  • Salaried employees are paid on the last working day of each month. Hourly employees are paid biweekly. Faculty contracts are paid in 12 installments beginning August 31 and ending July 31.
  • Direct deposit is required for all new hires.