Seattle University - Benefits Summary

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Staff Benefits Overview

Printer-Friendly version of SU's Benefits Overview

Benefits Program
Premiums
Flexible Spending Accounts
Seattle University Retirement Plans
Tuition Remission and Exchange Programs
Other Benefits
2007 Rates

Seattle University's Benefits Program

Seattle University's group benefits program is for Seattle University staff and administrators in regular positions at 53% or more (50% for Union Employees) Full-Time Employment (FTE) or faculty who are at least 50% FTE in a full academic year appointment. The University pays the full premium costs for FTE staff and faculty; the University and benefits-eligible part-time employees share in the cost of medical+vision and dental coverage for the employee.

Program Benefits

The program includes the following:

Health Care Benefits (including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug and mental health coverage.) Seattle University offers a choice of two medical insurance plans (Regence Blueshield PPO and Group Health) and one dental plan (WDS). A vision plan with VSP is attached to each of the medical plans.
Disability Benefits to provide partial income replacement if participant is unable to work because of illness or injury. There is a self-insured Short-Term Disability program that provides for a benefit of 60% of pre-disability income as well as a Long-Term Disability insurance plan (benefits under the long-term disability plan are available following 12 months of employment).
Life Insurance (Basic and Supplemental) and Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Dependent Life Insurance.

Premiums

Seattle University pays the full premium or premium equivalent for medical+vision, dental and the Basic Life and AD&D insurance coverage for FTE staff and faculty. The premiums for medical+vision and dental coverage are pro-rated for part-time employees who are in regular positions at 53% or more (50% for union employees) of FTE. The University pays the premiums for Basic Life and AD&D insurance for benefits-eligible part-time employees.
Seattle University pays the premium for all Long-Term Disability coverage on an after-tax basis. Benefits-eligible employees pay taxes on the dollars used to pay the premium in order to receive the Long-Term Disability benefit tax-free.
Benefits eligible staff and faculty may elect additional, Supplemental Life and/or AD&D coverage for themselves. The employee pays the full cost for this supplemental coverage as an after-tax payroll deduction.
Benefits-eligible staff and faculty may elect to cover their dependents for medical+vision, dental, Supplemental AD&D and Dependent Life insurance. The cost for any dependent coverage is the responsibility of the employee. The premiums for medical+vision and dental coverage elections are treated as pre-tax deductions, with the exception of cost of coverage for a Legally Domiciled Adult. All other insurance elections are treated as an after-tax deduction.

Seattle University Retirement Plan

Seattle University has a 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan. Eligibility begins after 12 months of employment or immediately with applicable prior service at another accredited college or university. Upon eligibility, the University contributes 10% of gross base salary each pay period to the employees account. The investment elections are controlled by the employee and may be invested with either TIAA-CREF or Fidelity Investments.

Employees may begin contributing their own money towards a retirement account through Seattle Universitys Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan immediately following regular employment with Seattle University. The employee may invest their contributions in an account with either TIAA-CREF or Fidelity Investments.

Flexible Spending Accounts (Reimbursement Accounts)

Health Care Account
Allows employees to set aside tax-free dollars to pay for qualified health-related expenses that are not covered by insurance. Reimbursement period runs for 15 months, from January 1 through March 15 of the following year.
Dependent Care Account
Allows employees to set aside tax-free dollars to pay for qualified child and dependent care expenses. Reimbursement period is a calendar year January 1 through December 31.

Tuition Remission and Exchange Programs

Tuition Remission for Faculty, Staff and Administrators
- After completing three full months of employment, employees are eligible for 100% tuition remission (up to 6 credits per quarter); with a maximum of 20 credits per year on undergraduate and/or graduate coursework at the University (pro-rated by FTE).
Tuition Remission for Dependents
- Following 12 months of continuous employment through 36 months of continuous employment, eligible dependents (spouse and eligible children) receive 50% tuition remission on the first undergraduate degree at Seattle University (pro-rated by FTE). This is applicable in your second and third completed years of service.
- After 36 months of continuous employment, eligible dependents receive 100% tuition remission on their first undergraduate degree at Seattle University (pro-rated by FTE).
Tuition Exchange Programs for Dependent Children

The University participates in two tuition exchange programs:
- After completion of 3 years of continuous service, dependent children are eligible to participate in the undergraduate exchange programs, FACHEX and Tuition Exchange. Eligibility does not guarantee your child an exchange scholarship.
- Tuition exchange and tuition remission eligibility may be accelerated with applicable prior service at an accredited college or university. (The Benefits Office can provide more information).

Other Benefits

Vacation Benefit
(For Staff and Administrators: annual vacation days determined by years of service.) See Section 9.3 in the Human Resources Policy Manual for specific information on vacation accrual.
Sick Leave Benefit
The University regards sick leave as a form of insurance, available to employees when the need arises. See Section 9.1 in the Human Resources Policy Manual for specific information on sick leave benefits for staff and for faculty.
Paid Holidays
The University observes the following holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving, day following Thanksgiving, and Christmas. (Union employees also have the day before Christmas off).
Paid Days Off
The University is closed for the 4 work days occurring (most often) between Christmas Day and New Year's Day with paid time off during the closure (see policy provisions 9.5 for applicability). Union employees receive 4 Personal Days as they are expected to work during this period.
Flex Pass/Pre-Tax Transportation Plan
The University Flex Pass is an annual regional transit pass that allows travel on all Community Transit, sound Transit, and Metro busses. There is a 75% subsidy on Kitsap Transit and ferry passes. Pass and Parking permit deductions may be paid with tax-free dollars.
Virginia Mason Tender Loving Care Program
Virginia Mason offers a quality place to take your sick child while you work.
Employee Assistance Plan
The EAP provides confidential telephone counseling assistance and referral services with all issues of daily living (family, finances, childcare, etc.).
Book Store Discounts
The Book Store offers 10-20% discounts on purchases plus specials throughout the year.
Connolly Center Membership (Tennis, Racquetball, Swimming, Weights, Cardio, etc.) for employees and household members
A.A. Lemieux Library Privileges
Credit Union Memberships (Alaska USA, Group Health and Washington School Employees Credit Union)
OIT Technical Purchasing
The Universitys OIT Technical Purchasing program includes employee personal purchasing privileges with a variety of electronic/technical vendors.

The information provided is a brief overview of the Seattle University benefits programs. Please refer to detailed summary plan descriptions available in the Office of Human Resources or online at HR InSite for specific policy provisions of each program.