Benefits Orientation for New Faculty and Staff
Welcome to the University of Michigan! This site provides comprehensive information about the benefits packages offered by the University of Michigan. These benefits packages are some of the most competitive packages available. In fact, depending upon the benefits in which you enroll, your University of Michigan benefits package will equal 25-30% of your compensation package at the University, giving you a total compensation package that truly adds value and peace of mind to your employment.

Your Benefits 2008 (PDF)
Each of the benefits plans has been carefully researched and negotiated. You can enroll in your benefits with the assurance that your benefits needs are priorities at the University of Michigan. This section provides summaries of the benefits plans. Click the links for more information.

Enrolling in Benefits
You have 30 days (or as specified by your bargaining agreement) to choose the benefits most useful to you and your dependents. Make your benefits elections carefully. Once you submit your elections, your choices will be recorded as your benefits elections until the next Open Enrollment period. You may not make any changes to your elections — even within the 30-day enrollment period — unless you have a qualified family status change.

See Enrollment and Enrollment Deadlines (PDF) for more information.

Tips for New Hires Enrolling in the Retirement Savings Plan

Failure to Enroll

Faculty, Staff and Graduate Student Assistants
Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Student Assistants have 30 days to submit benefit elections.  Failure to submit elections within the 30-day deadline will result in no medical or prescription drug coverage.  If you do not wish to enroll in medical and prescription drug coverage because you are covered by a medical plan other than as an employee, retiree, survivor or dependent of an employee of the University of Michigan, you may be eligible to receive a cash credit for opting-out of University coverage.  In order to receive the credit, eligible employees must waive U-M medical coverage and submit information about the source of their medical coverage.

Research Fellows
Research Fellows have 30 days to submit benefit elections.  If benefit elections are not received within 30 days, Research Fellows will be enrolled in Comprehensive Major Medical (after-tax).

General Information
The following sections are available on this Web site to assist you with your benefits enrollment. Click the headings to view the information.

Paying for Your Benefits
You are responsible for making sure that your pay can cover the deductions for the benefits you choose. This section contains information about frequency of deductions, premium conversions, and other qualified adult tax information.

Your Responsibilities
This section highlights the actions you must take after you enroll in your benefits plans to ensure that coverage for you and your dependents is timely and accurate.

Eligibility
Your eligibility is based on your benefits job/career family, your appointment percentage, and the duration of your appointment. (Your department supplies this information to Human Resource Records and Information Services [HRRIS].) This section includes a chart giving comprehensive information about eligibility for you, your spouse or other qualified adult, and your children.

Enrollment
It is your responsibility to enroll in the benefits most useful to you and your dependents. This section contains step-by-step enrollment information for new faculty and staff members and people experiencing a job or qualified family status change. As a newly employed faculty or staff member, you will enroll in most benefits plans online through eBenefits, accessed through Wolverine Access at https://wolverineaccess.umich.edu. The Enrollment section provides step-by-step instructions. You will enroll in some plans, such as the Retirement Saving Plan, using enrollment forms which are available for download from the Forms page.

Benefits Plans

• Basic Retirement Plan
  The University of Michigan offers a two-for-one match of your retirement plan contributions—if you contribute 5% of your eligible gross salary, the University will contribute an amount equal to 10% of your eligible gross salary. Your retirement contributions are vested immediately. In addition to your Basic Retirement plan, you can establish a Supplemental Retirement Account. Rehires need to complete a Salary or Annuity Option Plan Agreement form each time they begin a newly eligible appointment.
  
• Medical Insurance
  A number of medical insurance coverage options are available, allowing you to choose the plan that best meets the needs of you and your dependents.
• Prescription Drug Plan
  When you enroll in a medical insurance plan, you will be concurrently enrolled in the Prescription Drug Plan.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  Enrolling in either or both the Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account allows you to pay certain medical, dental, and child care bills with tax-free money.
• Group Term Life Insurance
  University Plan — $30,000 of life insurance coverage for you only paid for by the University.
  Optional Plan — If you are enrolled in the University Plan and want additional coverage.
  Dependent Plan — Coverage for your spouse or other qualified adult and/or your dependent children.
• Dental Plan
  The Dental Plan offers three options with differing features.
• Vision Plan
  Each enrolled person may receive an eye exam, eyeglass lenses and frames or contact lenses, once each calendar year.
• Legal Plan
  Obtain help on a personal legal matter (excluding divorce) from a participating attorney in your area.
• Expanded Long-Term Disability
  This plan pays 65% of your covered pre-disability base salary in the event you should become totally disabled. The plan also pays the cost to continue most of the benefits you have at the time of disability.
• Travel Accident Insurance and Secure Travel Plan
  While traveling on business for the University, all active faculty or staff members are covered by travel accident insurance, the entire cost of which is paid by the University.