Human Resources
Quinn Administration, 03, 00076
p. 617-287-5150
f. 617-287-5179

:: Benefits

UMB Employee Benefits at a Glance

Commonwealth Health Insurance

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

Commonwealth Indemnity Plan,Indemnity Plus Plan, or Health Maintenance Organization

*Benefited Employees - All full-time and at least 50% part-time employees with an appointment that is six months or longer

First day of the month following 60 days of employment or two calendar months, whichever is the lesser

75%-80% paid by the university and 15%-20% by the employee (pre-tax earnings)

Choice of one plan. All health insurance plans include a $5,000 term life insurance policy.

Dependent Student Insurance

All full-time unmarried students whose parent carries health insurance through the university

First day of the month after dependent reaches age 19

No extra cost for students under age 24. Employee pays full cost for students 24 and over.

Students under 24 covered under family plan.

Disabled Child Insurance

All children with a physical and/or mental disability who are age 19 or over and are incapable of self support and whose parent carries health insurance through the university

Month child with the disability reaches age 19

No additional charge

Same level of coverage as parent.

LIFE INSURANCE

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

Basic Life Insurance

*Benefited Employees

First day of the month following 60 days of employment or two calendar months, whichever is the lesser

75%-80% paid by the university and 15%-20% paid by the employee

 

$5,000 term life insurance and $5,000 accidental death and dismemberment insurance. Coverage extended to employees not enrolled in a health insurance plan.

Optional (Additional) Life Insurance

*Benefited Employees

First day of the month following 60 days of employment or two calendar months, whichever is the lesser

Paid by employee

Term life insurance purchased at group rates up to 8 times annual salary.

LONG TERM DISABILITY INCOME PROTECTION PROGRAM

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

First of the month following 60 days of employment

Paid by employee

Up to 50% of monthly base salary beginning on the 91st day of disability.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Varies according to plan

Paid by the university to Health & Welfare Funds; Varies according to plan

Coverage varies according to fund.

STATE RETIREMENT PLAN

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees hired prior to age 65, with an appointment of six months or longer

Date of Hire

Paid by employee (Pre-tax earnings)

Compulsory program in lieu of Social Security. Employee contributes 9% of total gross salary, plus an additional 2% of salary over $30,000, which allows for a pension upon retirement at age 55 with the equivalent of 10 years of full-time service or at any age with the equivalent of 20 years of full-time service.
SERS allows faculty members to "buy into" the system for certain periods (up to 10 years) of instructional service in a publicly supported educational institution in another state.

OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM (ORP)

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

Faculty, Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, Deans, Senior Administrators and President of the university

Date of Hire
Note: Implementation for Vice Chancellors, Deans and Senior Administrators is pending. Contact Human Resources for more information.

Employee/Employer contribution

Defined contribution plan offered in lieu of State Retirement Plan.Member contribution rate same as State Plan plus Commonwealth contribution of 5% (minus insurance and overhead)

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Within 60 days of employment.

Minimal administrative fee paid by employee

Program designed to allow payment of up to $5,000/year for child care or other dependent care expenses with pre-tax earnings.

HEALTH CARE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Within 60 days of employment.

Minimal monthly administrative fee paid by employee.

Program designed to allow payment of up to $2,500/year to help employees to save federal and state taxes on non-covered health-related expenses, such as physician office visits and prescription drug co-pays.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon arrangement with private company

Paid by employee

Optional program which allows through payroll reduction, the sheltering from federal taxes of up to 20% of gross salary to a maximum of $15,000/yr.

STATE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon arrangement with The Copeland Company

Paid by employee

Optional program which allows through payroll reduction, the sheltering from federal taxes to a maximum of $15,000/yr.

WORKERS COMPENSATION

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

Coverage for medical expenses and partial compensation for loss of salary due to absences arising from work-related injuries or occupational diseases.

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

Determined by Massachusetts Division of Employment Security

Upon employment

Paid by Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Unemployment benefits based on average weekly wage and number of dependents, predicated on reason for separation.

HOLIDAYS

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

13 paid holidays per year for full-time employees; part-time employees are entitled to pro-rata holiday benefits. Faculty members are paid for holidays which fall during the university's academic year only.

VACATION

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

After one full payroll month of employment

Paid by university

Vacation leave is accrued based on collective bargaining agreements and non unit personnel policies.

PERSONAL TIME

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Immediately upon hire unless hired after the last day of the payroll month of March

Paid by university

Personal time is awarded based on collective bargaining agreements and non unit personnel policies. Employees hired between the first day of the fiscal year and the last day of the payroll month of March are awarded personal time on a pro-rata basis.

PERSONAL SICK DAYS

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

After one full payroll month of employment

Paid by university

Sick leave accrual is based on collective bargaining agreements and non-unit personnel policies.

LEAVES OF ABSENCE

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

Bereavement Leave

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

Either 4 consecutive working days or 2 consecutive working days depending on relationship to deceased.

Maternity & Adoptive Leave

*Benefited Employees

Consult applicable collective bargaining agreement or non-unit policy.

Unpaid leave unless employee uses accrued sick, vacation or personal days in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or non-unit policies.

A leave of up to 8 weeks may be granted provided a 2-week notice of intended departure date and intent to return is given.

Family Medical Leave

All Benefited employees who have worked for UMB for at least 12 months and who have worked at least 1250 hours prior to commencement of leave.

As stated under Eligible

Unpaid leave unless employee uses accrued sick, vacation or personal days in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or non-unit policies.

A leave of up to 12 weeks during a 12 month period when an employee suffers a serious health condition or to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition.

Parental Leave

 

Refer to collective bargaining unit agreements and non-unit policies to determine eligibility.

Refer to collective bargaining agreements and non-unit policies to determine effective date.

Unpaid leave unless employee uses accrued sick, vacation or personal days in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or non-unit policies.

Leave is for the need to care for or make arrangements for the care of minor dependent child as defined in appropriate collective bargaining agreements or non-unit policies.

Family Leave

Refer to collective bargaining unit agreements and non-unit policies to determine eligibility.

Refer to collective bargaining agreements and non-unit policies to determine effective date.

Unpaid leave unless employee uses accrued sick, vacation or personal days in accordance with collective bargaining agreements or non-unit policies.

Leave is for the need to care for or make arrangements for the care of family members as defined in appropriate collective bargaining agreements.

Military Leave

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

Paid military leave is granted to employees called to duty in the armed forces of the Commonwealth in the event of natural disaster or civil disturbance. Unpaid leave for extended periods of active duty.

Reserve Leave

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

Up to 17 paid working days per year for temporary reserve active duty for training in the Armed Forces.

Court Leave

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

Paid by university

Employees receive regular salary when called to serve jury duty or act as a witness on behalf of a governmental body, contingent upon remission of fees to the university.

Professional Improvement Leave

All full-time, professional staff only

After 6 years of full time equivalent professional employment and subject to approval of department head

Paid by university

Up to 5 1/2 months of full salary or 11 months of half salary; must return for at least one year of service. Up to 2 months within any 2 year period at full salary.

TUITION ASSISTANCE

Eligibility

Effective Date Cost Comments

Tuition Waiver

All Benefited full-time employees, spouses/ domestic partners, and dependent children (as defined in Trustee Doc. T96-129) and at least 50% part-time Benefited employees-see comments.

Upon employment
(must be employed as of the first day of the semester)

Provided by Commonwealth

Free tuition at any of the UMass campuses (except the Medical School); Part-time employees receive 7 tuition free credits per semester. Spouse and dependent waiver is not available to part-time employees.

Tuition Remission

All benefited full-time and at least 50% benefited part-time employees, spouses and dependent children

After 6 months of full time equivalent service

Provided by Commonwealth

Full-time employees: 100% tuition remission at any MA state supported college or university (MD program excluded); 50% remission for Continuing Education courses.

AUTOMATIC PAYROLL DEPOSIT

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

N/A

Participation with most banks for direct deposit of paychecks into savings, checking or NOW accounts.

CREDIT UNIONS

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

*Benefited Employees

Upon employment

N/A

The UMASS/Five College Credit Union, located adjacent to the Amherst campus of the university and the State Employees Credit Union, located in downtown Boston, offer automatic payroll deductions for savings and loans.

AUTO & HOMEOWNER'S & PRE-PAID LEGAL INSURANCE

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All full-time and at least 50% part-time Benefited employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee

Employees may purchase discounted auto and homeowner's insurance through payroll deduction over a 52 week period.

U.S. SAVINGS BONDS

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee

Employees may authorize payroll deductions for the purchase of Savings Bonds.

LIBRARIES

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon employment

N/A

Access to extensive resources housed in main and departmental libraries upon presentation of university I.D.

COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN529

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All Benefited
Employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee

California & Connecticut

PRE-PARKING

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All Benefited
Employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee

Parking access with purchase of a semester, monthly or multi-park pass or a daily fee.

PRE-TAX MBTA PASS

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All Benefited
Employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee

Bus to Zone 8

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Eligibility Effective Date Cost Comments

All employees

Upon employment

Paid by employee. Individual or family annual memberships may be purchased or the facility can be used upon presentation of a valid UMass Boston I.D. and the payment of a per visit fee.

Forbes Clark Physical Education Center contains major athletic facilities available to all employees of the Boston campus and their immediate families. The Center includes gymnasia for basketball, dance, volleyball, aerobics and badminton, an ice skating rink, swimming pool, weight room and a fully equipped gymnastics room.

UMB Fitness Center , with state of the art equipment, is available to employees. Membership may be paid for through payroll deduction.


NOTE: These materials are published to highlight the benefits offered to employees of the University of Massachusetts Boston. It is not intended to provide all-inclusive information and all information is subject to change. Eligibility for benefits may vary according to type, percentage of time and duration of appointment. "03" Funded employees and those bargaining unit members who are employed at less than 50% time are not eligible for many of the above mentioned benefits. Please call the Human Resources Office at (617) 287-5150 for further clarification.