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The University of Iowa is a leader in the Big Ten in providing a robust and competitive employment package.

Bird's-eye view of the Pentacrest (bottom) with the west side Health Campus (top)

The Benefits Office offers complete services to all staff and assists in benefit selection, enrollment, and changes, as well as claims processing, and the strategic use of your benefits. Whatever your needs, the University can help you tailor a benefits package from a wide range of options.

Depending upon your employment classification, benefits options include:

• A full benefits cafeteria plan that allows you to match your benefit dollars to your personal needs; one of the few such plans in higher education.  All regular Faculty, Professional and Scientific, and Merit Supervisory Exempt staff, with appointments of at least 50 percent time, receive a University contribution toward the cost of their benefits in the form of Flexible Credits that can be used to tailor your benefits package.  (*Dependent on employment classification)
• Choice of comprehensive health plans
• Disease management for conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Check your health plan’s website for more information:
• Comprehensive dental insurance
• Domestic partner coverage for same and opposite-sex partners.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care (adult and child) expenses; creating the potential to save hundreds of dollars in taxes each year.
• Generous vacation and sick leave with:  (*Dependent on employment classification)
• optional conversion of unused sick leave to vacation leave (after 240 hours of accrued sick time).
• payout for unused vacation upon employment separation.
• payout for up to $2,000 for unused sick leave upon retirement.
• family caregiving leave so you can provide care of, and necessary attention to, an ill or injured family member. The program allows carryover of unused hours to the next calendar year.
• benefit continuance while on paid leave.  For more information, please visit http://www.uiowa.edu/hr/benefits/vacation.html.
• a Catastrophic Leave program allows you to donate accrued vacation leave to another eligible employee for their use due to a catastrophic illness or injury to themselves or a family member. You may also request donations if you are in need due to your own, or a family member’s, catastrophic illness or injury.
• Retirement plans with generous University contributions (typically 10 percent of your salary) and a wide variety of investment options.
• Phased retirement allowing eligible employees to propose a schedule for phasing into retirement. If approved by your department and college/division, you can phase into retirement over a maximum period of five years.
• Free financial education classes on a variety of topics available on campus every month through University vendors.  Visit the News and Events section on the Benefits Office web site for information.
• Free retirement account advising for TIAA-CREF participants with release time for a free annual financial advising appointment at the local TIAA-CREF office in Coralville.
• Continuation of TIAA -CREF retirement contributions for you in the event you become disabled; provided through the provisions of the Waiver of Retirement Premium Insurance.
• A University-paid life insurance policy provided upon retirement at age 62 or older, after 10 years of continuous life insurance coverage.
• Group life insurance with beneficiary designation and a conversion privilege upon separation (available when the criteria for a University-paid life insurance policy are not met).
• Supplemental life insurance available in the amounts of 1/2 to 3-1/2 times your annual benefit salary.
• Spousal and/or dependent term life insurance coverage for your spouse and dependents.  You may insure your spouse for $10,000 or $20,000 and your dependent children for $5,000 or $10,000 per child.  (*Dependent on employment classification)
• Group long-term care insurance with guaranteed acceptance of new employees for 60 days following the date of hire, after which time you must be approved. Eligible family members may also apply for coverage, subject to approval.
• Long-term disability and wrap-around long-term disability insurance.
• University health insurance premium contribution for eligible employees on long-term disability.  (*Dependent on employment classification)
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance for you and/or your family.
• Liability protection related to employment activities.
• The Voluntary Insurance Program (VIP) gives you the opportunity to purchase a variety of optional discounted insurance products such as car, life, cancer, and short-term disability insurances. Employees who are paid monthly can do this through payroll deduction.
• Direct deposit of paychecks and reimbursements.
• Payroll deduction available for TreasuryDirect purchases such as savings bonds and treasury bills.
• Online access to benefit and payroll information via the Employee Self Service website where many changes can be completed online (visit Services and Amenities).
• The Benefits Education Center provides electronic education modules on The University of Iowa Benefits programs and other resources. Additional modules cover topics such as picking the right health plan, using your benefits strategically, and making wise healthcare decisions.