New Appointed Academic and Exempt Staff Employees

The benefits listed on this page also apply to Non-Exempt Non-Union Staff Employees (i.e. individuals who were in an existing PAO or PAU position when the Job Framework when put into place in 2021).

Overview of Benefits for Full-time (75 percent FTE and above) Employees

To participate in most benefits, you must enroll within 30 days of becoming eligible (typically your date of hire). If you enroll during this 30-day window, your benefits will be applied retroactively to the date you were hired. For example, if you were hired on June 1, you have until June 30 to submit your benefit elections, but your coverage will be active starting June 1.

If you miss this 30-day enrollment period, you'll have another chance to enroll during the annual Open Enrollment period in the fall. Alternatively, you can enroll after experiencing a major life event such as getting married or having a child, as defined by the IRS.

Medical, Prescription, and Vision Coverage (Enroll within 30 days)

IU Medical Plans (Enroll within 30 days)
IU offers a choice of medical plans to protect you and your family with no pre-existing condition limits or waiting periods. Each plan offers comprehensive coverage including primary and specialist care, mental health, transplants, prescription drugs, and vision care.

Your Anthem ID card will be sent to your home address within approximately two weeks of submitting your enrollment. You can also access your card digitally 24/7 by logging in to the Anthem website or the Sydney Health app.

Learn More:

Dental Coverage (Enroll within 30 days)

IU Dental Plan (Enroll within 30 days)
IU offers one dental plan that covers two routine cleanings/exams per year, and diagnostic and restorative care up to an annual maximum. Coverage also includes orthodontia services for children.

Cigna does not mail physical ID cards, but you can access your card digitally 24/7 by logging in to your MyCigna account.

Life, Disability, and Accident Insurance (Enroll within 30 days)

Important: If you want to sign up for Employee Supplemental Life or Long-Term Disability coverage, it’s highly recommended that you enroll during your 30-day new hire enrollment period. If you enroll or increase your coverage after this 30-day window, you must provide evidence of insurability (a Medical History Statement) for approval by the benefit underwriter.

Basic Group Life (Automatic enrollment—name beneficiaries only)
This policy provides a benefit of two times your annual base salary (up to $50,000) to your beneficiary in the event of your death. It also includes a spouse/child benefit and pays an additional amount in the event of death or dismemberment due to an accident. You are automatically enrolled in this plan, and the university covers the entire cost, but you must name your beneficiaries.

Employee Supplemental Life Insurance (Enroll within 30 days)
Voluntary Employee Supplemental Life 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.

Dependent Supplemental Life Insurance (Enroll any time)
Voluntary Spouse and Child Supplemental Life coverage is available to employees enrolled in Employee Supplemental Life. 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.

Long-Term Disability (Enroll within 30 days)
Voluntary LTD 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. If you enroll in this plan or increase your coverage after your 30-day new hire enrollment period, you must provide evidence of insurability (a Medical History Statement) for approval by the benefit underwriter.

Supplemental AD&D Insurance (Enroll within 30 days)
Voluntary Supplemental Accidental Death & Dismemberment (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. You can only enroll in or change your Supplemental AD&D election during your 30-day new hire election period, during the annual Open Enrollment period, or when you experience an IRS-qualifying life event.

Retirement Plans (Enroll any time)

Base Retirement Plan (Automatic enrollment—name beneficiaries only)
IU Retirement Plan
You are automatically enrolled in a 403(b) defined contribution plan called the IU Retirement Plan. IU makes all contributions to your account in an amount equal to 10% of your base salary each pay period, but 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.

Supplemental Retirement Plans (Enroll any time)
IU Tax Deferred Account (TDA)
IU 457(b) 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 are automatically enrolled in the TDA plan at a 5% pre-tax contribution level, but you can change or waive your enrollment, or enroll in the IU 457(b) plan, at any time. You are fully vested in this plan upon enrollment.

Spending & Saving Accounts (Enroll within 30 days)

Health Savings Account (HSA) (Enroll within 30 days)
If you enroll in the Anthem HDHP (high deductible health plan), you may also be eligible to open an HSA. 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 change your contribution amount at any time during the year after enrollment.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) (Enroll within 30 days)
FSAs are voluntary benefits that allows 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 coverage during your 30-day new hire election period, during the annual Open Enrollment period, or when you experience an IRS-qualifying life event.

Tuition Assistance (Apply by semester/term deadline)

IU Tuition Benefit Plan (Apply by semester/term deadline)
IU’s Tuition Benefit Plan provides a subsidy towards the tuition costs associated with attending IU courses. Subsidies are available to you, your eligible spouse, and your dependent children.

Paid Time Off

Academic Employees
Academic employees are eligible for a variety of leaves and paid time off depending on the type and length of appointment. Click the link above to find policies related to academic leaves.

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). Click the link above to find policies related to staff leaves.

Additional Benefits & Programs

Have you completed New Employee Orientation?

If you haven’t already, be sure to view the self-guided New Employee Orientation courseto learn about benefits, policies, professional development opportunities, parking, campus-specific perks, and much more. New staff employees are automatically enrolled on or before their first day of employment, but any IU employee may register and view the course by visiting this link and choosing the option to “Enroll in Course”.

Ready to enroll?

When you are ready to enroll in benefits, follow these step-by-step enrollment instructions to create your IU computing account and enroll online.

Have questions or need help?

If you need help or if you have questions, contact AskHR at or 812-856-1234.