Appointed Academic or Exempt Employees

Benefits for appointed full-time academic or exempt staff employees

As an appointed full-time (75% FTE and above) academic or exempt staff employee at Indiana University, you are eligible for the following benefits. Each benefit has its own detail page where you can find complete information about requirements and how to sign up.

Enroll or change your benefits now

You must enroll in most benefits within 30 days of your hire date to have coverage retroactive to your start date. If you miss this window, you can enroll during open enrollment or after a qualifying life event. Some voluntary plans may require evidence of insurability if you enroll outside the initial 30 days. Benefit elections made during the open enrollment period are effective starting January 1 the following year.

Health coverage

At IU, we value our employees and provide comprehensive health coverage options to give you peace of mind.

IU offers comprehensive medical, prescription, and vision coverage with various plan options. There are no pre-existing condition limits or waiting periods.

Anthem will mail your medical ID card within two weeks of enrollment. You can also access a digital card via the Anthem website or Sydney Health app.

IU offers a dental plan covering routine cleanings, exams, restorative care, and orthodontia for children.

Cigna does not issue physical ID cards; access your digital card through your MyCigna account.

Life & voluntary insurance plans

It is highly recommended to enroll in supplemental life and long-term disability during your first 30 days. If you enroll later on, you may need to provide evidence of insurability. Learn more about each plan on their detail pages.

Life insurance plans

This policy provides a $50,000 benefit to your beneficiary in the event of your death. It also pays out an additional benefit of up to $50,000 in the event of death or dismemberment due to an accident. Additional benefits of the plan include a spouse/child benefit and emergency travel assistance.

You are automatically enrolled in this plan, and the university covers the entire cost, but you must name your beneficiaries.

Learn more about basic group life insurance at IU

Name your beneficiaries

This supplemental insurance is available in amounts ranging from 1 to 4 times your salary.

You can enroll in any of the guaranteed issue levels of coverage during your 30-day enrollment period.

However, if you choose to enroll in maximum coverage, or if you enroll/increase your coverage outside of your 30-day window, you must provide evidence of insurability (a medical history statement) for approval by the benefit underwriter.

Learn more about supplemental employee life insurance at IU

This coverage is in addition to the spouse/child benefit included with your basic life plan. For your spouse, the benefit is $10K, 20K, $30K, or $45K depending on the coverage you elect. For your child(ren) , the benefit is $10K per child.

You can enroll in, change, or terminate this coverage at any time.

Learn more about supplemental dependent life insurance at IU

Other voluntary insurance plans (Enroll within 30 days)

This voluntary insurance pays a lump sum if you or your covered dependent is diagnosed with one of 20 major illnesses covered by the policy (or one of 22 covered childhood illnesses). Coverage is available from $10K–$50K for yourself, from $5K–$25K for your spouse, and at 50% of your coverage for your children.

Learn more about critical illness insurance at IU

This voluntary coverage offers income replacement if you become disabled due to an illness or accident. Options include a 90-day or 180-day waiting period, and a retirement protection benefit.

Learn more about long-term disability coverage at IU

Voluntary AD&D insurance provides a benefit in the event of death or dismemberment due to a covered accident. This benefit is in addition to the AD&D benefit automatically included with your IU-sponsored basic life insurance.

Learn more about supplemental AD&D insurance at IU

Retirement plans

IU’s retirement program helps you build financial security with both base (IU-funded) and supplemental (employee-funded) plans.

As an academic or professional staff employee, you are automatically enrolled in a base retirement plan, the IU Retirement Plan. IU contributes 10% of your base salary each pay period, and you choose how to invest those funds.

New employees are subject to a 3-year cliff-vesting requirement, meaning funds are forfeited if you do not attain three years of IU employment.

Learn more about the IU Retirement Plan

You can enhance your retirement savings through pre-tax or Roth after-tax contributions to one or both supplemental retirement plans. All newly eligible employees (except medical and optometry residents and dually employed physicians) are automatically enrolled in the IU TDA plan at a 5% pre-tax contribution level.

You can change or waive your enrollment or enroll in the IU 457(b) plan anytime. Upon enrollment, you are fully vested in this plan, meaning the money in your account is 100% yours from day one even if you leave IU.

You need to name your beneficiary for your base retirement plan. For supplemental plans, you can enroll, waive, or change contributions any time of year.

Enroll or change retirement contributions

Spending and saving accounts

You may have flexible spending accounts or a health savings account or both, depending on your health plan enrollment. Check out each below.

FSAs are voluntary benefits that allow you to set aside pre-tax money from your paycheck to pay for eligible healthcare and/or dependent care expenses.

You can only enroll in or change FSA elections during your 30-day new hire election period, during the annual open enrollment period, or when you experience an IRS-qualifying life event.

Find out more about your FSA options

Available when you enroll in the Anthem High Deductible Health Plan.

The HSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money from your paychecks to pay for eligible healthcare expenses for you, your spouse, and your tax dependents, now and in the future. Funds above $1,000 in your cash account can also be invested.

You can enroll in or change your contribution amount at any time during the year.

Learn all about IU’s HSA program

Tuition assistance (Apply by semester/term deadline)

You are eligible for a subsidy towards the tuition costs associated with attending IU courses. The benefit extends to you, your eligible spouse, and your tax-dependent children.

Learn more about your tuition benefit

Paid time off (PTO)

Academic employees

Academic employees are eligible for a variety of leaves and paid time off depending on the type and length of appointment.

View policy for academic employees

Exempt staff employees

Exempt staff employees earn 10 paid holidays and 30 days of paid time off each year (36 days after 5 years of service).

View policy for exempt staff

Additional benefits and programs

The following benefits and wellness programs are available to you. Each program offers valuable resources and support services to help you maintain your health and well-being:

Manage on your own

Get care online

More university resources

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