Benefits At-A-Glance (Full-Time Weekly Employees)
Benefits-At-a-Glance is a guide to the benefits enjoyed by regular full-time/limited service weekly paid staff. This benefit program, combined with the exceptional resources of the University, is among the many advantages the University of Pennsylvania offers faculty and staff. Penn provides a flexible benefits package called PennChoice which lets you select the medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage that best meets your needs and those of your family, plus allows you to use pre-tax accounts to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses. In addition, Penn offers several other benefits and programs to promote the well being of the members of the Penn community.
MEDICAL and PRESCRIPTION DRUG, DENTAL, & VISION BENEFITS
Medical, Dental and Vision Plans:
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment for you and your eligible dependents. If you were hired on or before the 15th of the month, your medical,dental and vision insurance is effective the first day of the following month. If you were hired on or after the 16th of the month, your medical, dental and vision insurance is effective the first of the month following thirty days of employment.
How do you get coverage?
Log on to the Penn Benefits enrollment website at www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu
to enroll.
Who pays?
Penn pays the majority of the cost for the medical and prescription drug and dental plans. You pay the balance through pre-tax payroll deductions. You pay the full cost of the vision plan. Your PennChoice literature provides your contribution rates. Note: Your payroll deductions for coverage of a same-sex domestic partner and a partner's children are usually subject to imputed income taxes.
What are the plan options?
The following plan options are available to your and your eligible dependents:
Medical Plans: a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), a Point of Service plan (POS) and two Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) programs.
Prescription Drug Plan: Under all Medical Plan Options, prescription drug coverage is provided through Caremark Prescription Services.
Dental Assistance Plans: Penn Faculty Practice Plan (PFP Plan) and the MetLIfe Preferred Dentist Program (MetLife PDP).
Vision Care Plan: the OptiChoiceVision Care Program administered by Clarity Vision.
Click here for additional information on the Medical and Prescription Drug, Dental and Vision Plans. See SPD Section 2, pages 13-27.
GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
For You:
The University provides basic group term life insurance of one times your benefits base salary (maximum of $300,000) at no cost to you. If your base salary is more than $50,000, you can choose to reduce your basic life insurance to $50,000. In addition to your basic life insurance, you may choose to purchase supplemental group term life insurance with after-tax contributions.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment. Basic life insurance coverage begins on your date of hire. Supplemental life insurance coverage begins the month following payment of the first premium.
How do you get coverage?
Log on to the Penn Benefits enrollment website at www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu
to enroll. Basic Life: Penn automatically gives you basic life insurance. However, you still must name a beneficiary. Supplemental Life: You must enroll via the Penn Benefits enrollment website and name a beneficiary.
Note: Your basic and supplemental life insurance combined cannot exceed $1,000,000. If you elect coverage over $500,000, you will have to provide evidence of insurability to the insurance company.
Who pays?
Penn pays for basic life insurance. You pay for supplemental life insurance with after-tax payroll deductions. The cost for supplemental life insurance is based on your age and salary. For more information see your PennChoice literature and personal enrollment worksheet.
For Your Dependents:
You may purchase $10,000 of life insurance for your spouse/same-sex domestic partner and/or $5,000 of life insurance for each eligible dependent child.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment. Coverage begins the month following payment of the first premium.
How do you get coverage?
Log on to the Penn Benefits enrollment website at www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu
to enroll.
Who pays?
You pay the full premium with after-tax payroll deductions.
Click here for additional information on Group Life Insurance. See SPD Section 3, pages 29-36.
HEALTH CARE & DEPENDENT CARE PRE-TAX EXPENSE ACCOUNTS
The pre-tax expense accounts are designed to save you money by reducing
the net cost for certain expenses that are not covered by other
benefit plans. There are two types of accounts: health care and dependent
care. Health care accounts are for certain eligible expenses that are not
paid by insurance. Dependent care accounts are for certain eligible expenses
that allow you and if you are married, your spouse to work.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment for the Health Care account. After completing one year of
service (and reaching age 21) for the Dependent Care account.
How do you participate?
Log on to the Penn Benefits enrollment website at www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu
to enroll.
Who pays?
You. Dollars are set aside from your earnings before Federal, Social
Security and Medicare Insurance taxes are withheld.
Click here for
additional information on the Pre-Tax Expense Accounts. See SPD Section 4,
pages 37-48.
RETIREMENT
The Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan:
Penn’s retirement plan for covered full-time weekly staff is a tax-deferred
annuity plan called the Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan (TDR). Both you
and Penn can contribute to your retirement investments. The University
offers a wide selection of investment options through TIAA-CREF
and The Vanguard Group.Vesting is
immediate. Keep in mind that
contributions to the Plan are subject to certain limitations under the
Internal Revenue Code.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment for your own contributions.
However, your eligibility for University contributions is based on your age and
length of service. All employees must be 21 years of age and have one year of
service with the University in which you worked at least 1000 hours or one year
of qualified prior service credit with another organization to be eligible for
University contributions. Once eligible, you will receive a basic age-based
University contribution even if you do not contribute. And, if you choose to
contribute, the University will provide a dollar-for-dollar match on your
contributions up to 5% of your base salary.
What is the service credit?
The normal waiting period before
University contributions begin is one year from your date of hire. Penn waives
this waiting period for employees who meet all of the following
qualifications:
- The preceding employer was eligible to maintain a retirement plan under
Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code,
- The employee had no interim employment between the previous employer and
Penn,
- The employee’s position at the previous employer was covered under the
employer's Section 403(b) retirement plan, and
- The employee held the qualified position for at least one year.
If you qualify for the service credit, you and your prior employer must
complete verification forms. Click
Here to download these forms, or you can pick them up at the Benefits Office
at 3401 Walnut Street, Suite 527A. Employees who do not meet all of the above
qualifications must complete the one-year waiting period in order to receive
University contributions. However, you may still make your own contributions
during that one-year period.
How do you enroll?
Call the University of Pennsylvania
Retirement Call Center at 1-877-PENN-RET (1-877-736-6738).
Who pays?
Penn and, if you choose, you. Penn will provide you with a
basic age-based contribution, whether you contribute or not. Then, you may
contribute up to 5% of your base salary to receive a dollar-for-dollar
University matching contribution. Both your contributions and the University’s
are made on a tax-deferred basis.
| Your Age as of January 1 |
Basic University Contribution |
Matching University Contribution |
Total Potential University Contribution |
| Under 30 |
1.5% of salary |
$-for-$ match on employee
contributions up to 5% of salary |
6.5% of salary |
| 30 – 39 |
3% of salary |
8% of salary |
| 40 and over |
4% of salary |
9% of salary |
Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Annuity Plan:
Penn’s Supplemental Retirement Annuity Plan (SRA) allows you to make additional
tax-deferred contributions to your retirement plan.
The University offers a wide selection of investment options through
TIAA-CREF and The Vanguard Group. Vesting is immediate.
Contributions to the Plan are subject to the limitations of the Internal
Revenue Code.
How do you enroll?
Call the
University of Pennsylvania Retirement Call Center at 1-877-PENN-RET
(1-877-736-6738).
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE
Long Term Care Insurance (LTC) can be valuable to you and your eligible
faminly members' future financial planning. Long Term Care benefits
assist individuals who are unable to care for themselves. Benefits can
be provided while at home, in a nursing facility, and even at an adult day
care.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment for individual coverage, and upon proof of insurability for
your eligible family members. Coverage begins on the first day
following your enrollment.
How do you get coverage?
Call John Hancock at 1-800-711-2899, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to
6:30pm, or visit http://penn.jhancock.com.
Who pays?
You pay the full cost.
Click here for more
information on Long Term Care. See SPD Section 5, pages 49-52.
TUITION ASSISTANCE BENEFITS
For You:
Penn provides full-time/limited service staff with tuition benefits for
undergraduate and graduate study at Penn through the Faculty/Staff
Scholarship Program.
When are you eligible?
Within one semester of appointment to a full-time
University position and fulfillment of Penn's admission requirements prior
to the mid-semester deadline.
Who pays?
Penn. The University pays for two course units of tuition, general fees and
technology fees in the fall and spring semesters and two course units to be
used over the summer sessions. Benefits are paid for credit courses, Math
110 and courses associated with the Stretch Program.
Tax Liability: Employees taking two or more graduate courses during the year
at a total cost greater than $5,250 must pay taxes on the tuition costs beyond
the $5,250 that is exempted from taxes. Penn will indicate on your W2 Form that
you received that additional amount of tuition as taxable income. This extra
income will incur income tax, Social Security tax and Medicare tax. The taxes
will be withheld from the gross tuition benefit that you receive from Penn and
the net amount will be posted to your student account.
For Your Dependent Children:
Penn provides dependent children with tuition benefits for undergraduate
study at Penn through the Faculty/Staff Scholarship Program. Benefits for
undergraduate study at other Penn approved, accredited colleges and
universities are provided through the Direct Grant Scholarship Program. When
are you eligible? After three years of full-time/ limited service
employment.
Who pays?
Penn and the student. For eligible dependent children matriculated at Penn,
the University pays 75% of undergraduate tuition and technology fees. The
student pays the rest. For eligible dependent children matriculated at
approved, accredited colleges/universities other than Penn, the University
pays the lesser of the school's undergraduate tuition or 40% of Penn's
tuition. The student pays any remaining charges.
Click here for information regarding restrictions on the
benefit, definition of dependent child and other information that impacts
your use of the benefit.
Tax Liability: Benefits for a same-sex domestic partner's dependent child(ren)
are taxable and subject to withholding of Federal Income Tax, Social Security
Tax (FICA) and Medicare Insurance Tax, unless the child(ren) are your tax
dependents.
For Your Spouse/Same-Sex Domestic Partner:
Penn provides spouses/same-sex domestic partners tuition benefits for
undergraduate study at Penn through the Faculty/Staff Scholarship Program.
When are you eligible? After three years of full-time/ limited service
employment.
Who pays?
Penn and the student. The University pays 50% of the undergraduate tuition
and technology fees for spouses/same-sex domestic partners matriculated at
Penn. The student pays the rest. Tax Liability: Currently, graduate tuition
benefits for employees are taxable and subject to withholding of Federal
Income Tax, Social Security Tax (FICA) and Medicare Insurance Tax by the
University. Benefits for a same-sex domestic partner and/or a partner's
dependent child(ren) are taxable and subject to withholding of Federal
Income Tax, Social Security Tax (FICA) and Medicare Insurance Tax, unless
the partner and/or child(ren) are your tax dependents.
Tax Liability: Benefits for a same-sex domestic partner are taxable and
subject to withholding of Federal Income Tax, Social Security Tax (FICA) and
Medicare Insurance Tax, unless the partner is your tax dependent.
Click here for more information on Tuition
Benefits.
PAID TIME OFF
When are you eligible?
You are eligible for paid time off after you complete the introductory
period of four months. You accrue paid time off each month based on the
following schedule:
| Years of Service |
Monthly Accrual Rate |
| Less than 2 years of service |
1.250 |
| At least 2 years of service |
1.417 |
| At least 3 years of service |
1.583 |
| At least 4 years of service |
1.750 |
| At least 5 years of service |
2.000 |
You may use paid time off as of the first day of the month following the
month of accrual once you have satisfactorily met the introductory period.
Your years of service are accrued based on the date you were hired. If your
hire date is on or before the 15th of the month, you begin accruing paid
time off in the month you were hired. If your hire date is on or after
the 16th of the month, you begin accruing paid time off in the month
following the month in which you were hired. The maximum balance you can
have is 24 days.
Special Vacation:
In addition to the regular paid time off allowance, a special vacation is
usually granted for the days between Christmas and New Year's Day.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
Holidays:
The University observes the following holidays: New Year's Day,
Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day (classes held, but administrative
offices are closed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and the
following Friday and Christmas Day.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
SICK LEAVE AND DISABILITY
Sick Leave:
You accrue sick leave at the rate of one day per completed month of service
in each fiscal year. It may be used for your illness, doctor and dentist
appointments when they cannot be scheduled during non-working hours. You
also may use up to 3 days of your sick leave accrual per fiscal year for the
illness of a member of your household. Unused sick days carry over to the
next fiscal year up to a maximum of 90 days.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
Who pays?
Penn.
Short-Term Disability (STD):
If you are unable to work due to a short-term disability, Penn's short-term
disability plan gives you paid time off based on your accrual of short-term
disability days. You accrue short-term disability days at the rate of one
day for every two unused sick leave days at the completion of each fiscal
year. Before using your accumulated short-term disability, you must exhaust
all available sick leave and paid time off. At that point, you may apply for
short-term disability. Sick leave and short term disability can accumulate
to a combined maximum of 132 working days (6 months).
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
Who pays?
Penn.
Long-Term Total Disability (LTD):
If you are unable to work due to a long-term total disability, Penn's
long-term total disability plan gives you up to 60% of your salary,
inclusive of Social Security, not to exceed $7,500 per month. The University
continues coverage for medical, dental, group life, retirement and tuition
programs. You and the University share in the cost of medical coverage
with the University paying a majority of the cost. If you are enrolled
in an HMO, the University pays the full premium. If you are enrolled
in any other plan, the University pays up to the cost of the premium of the
HMOs and you pay the difference.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment
Click here for
additional information on Long Term Disability. See SPD Section 6,
pages 54-58.
Family and Medical Leave:
Penn provides family and medical leave in accordance with the Family and
Medical Leave Act of 1993. Family and medical leave allows you to take time
off, up to 12 weeks in a rolling year, if you or a family member is ill, and
for the birth or adoption of a child. Family and medical leave is
coordinated with Penn's paid time off, sick leave and short-term disability
policies; therefore, your time off under family and medical leave may be
with or without pay based on your time balances.
Worker's Compensation:
If you are unable to work and have medical expenses as a result of job
related, covered injuries or occupational diseases sustained in the course
of your employment with Penn, the University's Worker's Compensation plan
covers your medical expenses. It also partially covers salary loss after 7
days.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
How do you get coverage?
It is automatic. However, you must report the injury or illness to your
supervisor and apply for the benefit.
Who pays?
Penn.
LEAVES WITH PAY
Leaves with pay are available for jury duty, military training and for the
death of a member of your family.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
LEAVES WITHOUT PAY
Leaves of up to twelve months, without pay, for personal reasons may be
granted at the discretion of the University with approval from your
immediate supervisor, dean or department head and the Division of Human
Resources/Staff Relations. Leave without pay is available, as described by
law, for full-time military service. Benefits may be continued at your
expense.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
PENN’S EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Penn’s EAP, offered through Penn Behavioral Health, is a confidential and
free counseling and referral service designed to assist you and your
immediate family members with personal problems that may affect your
professional life. The University pays for up to 8 sessions per year as a
benefit of your employment. Call 1-888-321-4433, 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week or go online to www.pennbehavioralhealth.org.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
PENN’S WORK & FAMILY BENEFIT
Penn’s Work & Family Benefit provides free, confidential phone
consultation, information and referrals for managing dependent care issues,
including assistance with pre-school, school age, college application time,
adult dependent care and elder care. Call 1-888-203-6847, 24 hours a day, 7
days a week or go online to
http://www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/worklife/default.asp.
When are you eligible?
Upon appointment.
SERVICES AND FACILITIES
As a member of the Penn community, you may be eligible for the following
services: direct deposit of your paycheck into your bank account, Credit
Union Membership, Dependent Care Resources,
discounted SEPTA passes, campus buses, escort service, employee van pools
and training programs offered by Human Resources/Learning and Education.
You can also use the following: University libraries, University
Club at Penn (requires a membership fee), recreation facilities and parking (requires a
fee and depends on availability of space).