Regular Employee Benefits

REGULAR BENEFITS

Benefits and Personnel Services provide consultation and information to academic, executive, professional/administrative staff and classified staff employees regarding retirement benefits and savings programs, health benefits programs, credit union membership, tuition reimbursement programs, employment insurance and worker's compensation.

The Basic Benefits Package and Supplemental Health Plans encompasses the following:

• Group Medical and Health Plans, Dental, Prescription and Vision Care
• Term Life and Personal Accident and Dismemberment Insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Optional Retirement Plans
• Maryland State Retirement and Pension Plans
• Retirement Savings and Investment Programs
• State Employees Credit Union Membership
• Tuition Waiver Program
• United Buying Service
• Earned Leave
• Social Security
• Unemployment Insurance
• Worker's Compensation

HEALTH BENEFITS (Revised 11/19)

Group Medical Plans, Dental, Prescription and Vision Care Plans

• Each employee has the option of enrolling in any of the health plan options within sixty (60) days of his/her employment date. Otherwise, the employee will have an opportunity to join any of the options during the annual Open Enrollment Period in October, with benefits commencing in January of the following year.
• Employees enrolling dependents under health care options must provide verification of eligibility, i.e., birth certificate copy for dependent(s) and a tax affidavit and an official marriage license for the spouse.
• Two types of medical plans are available: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, and the Exclusive Provider Organization plan (The EPO plans replaced HMO plans and include the availability of a national network of physicians).
• Each medical plan (PPO, or EPO) offers a standard set of benefits, including mental health/substance abuse benefits and vision care services.
• Two dental plans are available: Delta Dental (DHMO) and United Concordia (DPPO) plans.
• Dependents of eligible State employees who are enrolled in a health plan are entitled to receive benefits until the end of the calendar month in which they turn age 26. There is no age limit for the eligibility of a disabled dependent child as long as the disability began prior to the 19th birthday and medical certification determines incapacity is permanent.
• Contractual employees may enroll in any of the medical and health benefits plans within sixty (60) days of their initial contract with the University. The medical and prescription plans are subsidized for full-time contractual employees working 30 hours or more a week and have at least a three month contract. Otherwise, the employee will have an opportunity to enroll during Open Enrollment. Contractual employees are responsible for the monthly employee voucher payments once enrolled in health benefits. Enrollees are billed directly for payment and may pay online or via check or money order.

United Concordia PPO Dental Plan

• Provides a contracted panel of dentists to render dental services.
• This plan covers preventive dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, and orthodontics.
• One option offered: the DPPO (Dental Preferred Provider Organization) plan, which allows for dental services in network and out-of-network and a maximum benefit. No adult orthodontia care.

Delta Dental HMO Dental Plan

• Provides a contracted panel of dentists to render dental services.
• This plan covers preventive dentistry, prosthetic dentistry, and orthodontics.
• One option offered: DHMO (Dental Health Maintenance Organization) which allows for dental services with in-network providers.

CVS Caremark Drug Plan

• Maximum benefits are received when you use a network pharmacy for the State of Maryland.
• Both generic and name brand drugs are covered under the plan, however, the employee must meet a co-payment of either, $10.00 and $25.00 and $40.00, respectively.
• A mail-order option is available.

Vision Plan

• Employees have a partial reimbursable vision care plan where such services as an eye exam, lenses, and frames are available once a year. Vision care benefits are included through the medical plans only.
• The employee may secure claim forms through the medical plan and may either file a claim for partial reimbursement, or, if, the provider agrees, to assign his/her benefits to the provider.

METLIFE Term Life Insurance

• Term life insurance is purchased with pre-tax premium dollars up to $50,000 in coverage.
• Employee coverage levels over $50,000, up to maximum of $300,000, can be purchased with post-tax premium dollars. The completion of a medical review application and a physical examination are required.
• Dependent coverage is available up to 50% of the employee's coverage level.

METLIFE Personal Accidental and Dismemberment Plan

The plan provides benefits in a certain percentage of the principal benefit amount in a lump sum payment to employees who experience paralysis and/or dismemberment (loss of sight, hearing or limbs). The beneficiary will receive the full benefit in the event of the employee's death as a result of an accident.

• Three benefits levels are available: $100,000, $200,000 or $300,000.

P & A Group Heath Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

• Employees contribute pre-tax money to either the health care or dependent care flexible spending accounts for twenty-four (24) pay periods. Nineteen (19) pay periods if a faculty member on a 21 pay schedule.
• Medical and dental expenses (maximum of $2500 annually) or dependent care expenses (maximum of $5000 annually) are reimbursable.
• Spending accounts will lower your taxable income.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

State law mandates that new employees become a member of one of the pension plans available either through membership with the Maryland State Teachers/Employees Pension Plan or one of the two (2) optional retirement plans: FIDELITY INVESTMENTS or TIAA/CREF. In addition, employees selecting the Maryland State Teachers/Employees Pension Plans are required to make a 7% mandatory contribution on a bi-weekly basis. Classified employees become members of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems as a condition of employment.

Optional Retirement Plans

• Academic, executive and professional administrative staff employees may select one of the optional retirement benefit plans available: FIDELITY INVESTMENTS or TIAA/CREF.
• All optional retirement plans are non-contributory. The University contributes 7.25% to the employees' pension account on a twenty (20) pay schedule basis.
• Employees are immediately vested and become eligible for contributions upon their enrollment. Your decision to select an optional retirement plan is irrevocable.

The Maryland State Retirement and Pension Plans

• Is a defined benefit plan that provides employees with retirement benefits, survivor benefits, and, in some instances, a lump-sum death benefit payment for the beneficiary.
• Employees become vested (eligible for contributions) after ten years of employment.
• Academic, executive and professional/administrative staff employees may enroll in either the defined benefit plan (basic retirement benefit plan) or one of the defined contribution plans (optional retirement benefit plans) available.
• The University contributes to the employees' pension account on a twenty-six (26) pay schedule basis for the administrative staff personnel and a twenty (20) pay schedule basis for the faculty.

Supplemental Retirement Plans

• All State employees, including contractual employees, are eligible to contribute to either the 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) plans. Contributions are made on pre-tax dollars deducted from the employee's salary.
• No taxes are paid on the contributions or earnings until the funds are withdrawn.
• Supplemental retirement accounts are available with TIAA/CREF and Nationwide Retirement Solutions (formerly PEBSCO).

Deferred Compensation

• All State employees, including contractual employees, are eligible to participate in the deferred compensation plan with Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This plan allows you to defer both a portion of your income and the payment of taxes you would normally pay on that income until a later date.
• Types of investments generally include: mutual funds, common stock mutual funds, fixed annuities and growth stock funds.
• There is a minimal deferral deduction amount of $10.00 per month.

OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

State Employees Credit Union

• All State employees, including contractual employees, are eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union. It offers a variety of banking services including establishing savings and checking accounts.
• Automatic direct deposits of your paycheck can be made to your account.
• The University houses an on-campus SECU ATM machine in the McKeldin Center.

Tuition Waiver Benefits Program (See the current Tuition Waiver Policy dated 11/5/13)

• Is available to regular full-time and part-time employees, retirees, military (ROTC) personnel, the National Guard, foster care recipients and senior citizens.
• Full-time employees may take up to eight (8) credits per semester free of tuition charge for both undergraduate and graduate studies. The employee must be employed for two (2) consecutive years with the University, in order for dependents to become eligible for tuition waiver benefits.
• The dependent children of employees are allowed to take advantage of full tuition benefits at Morgan State University. Providing the employee's hire date began prior to January 1990, the dependent children of the employee may pursue studies at the University System of Maryland institutions, Baltimore City Community College and St. Mary's College with full tuition benefits. Employees should refer to the appropriate tuition waiver/tuition remission policy for up-to-date information and procedures to be followed at the institution. Morgan State University's web site is www.morgan.edu and the University System of Maryland's web site is www.usmd.edu.
• All University fees are the responsibility of the student for undergraduate or graduate study. Part-time employees and their spouses and dependent children may qualify for the tuition waiver program on a pro-rata basis.

United Buying Service

• All regular employees are eligible to utilize the service to purchase motor vehicles and home furnishings with substantial discounts.

UBS Car Buying Service

Social Security

• All employees of Morgan State University are covered by federally regulated social security benefits. The employee's share of the contribution is withheld by payroll deduction.

Unemployment Insurance

• Every State employee is automatically covered from the first day of employment for unemployment insurance under Article 95A of the Maryland State Code.
• Unemployment insurance provides you with a cash benefit if you become unemployed through no fault of your own.
• The State, as your employer, pays all contributions for unemployment insurance.

Worker's Compensation

• If you are injured or disabled while on the job you are covered under Worker's Compensation.
• Your benefits include: accident leave benefits, with payment at 2/3rds of your annual salary; payment for medical, surgical, and hospital expenses arising from an injury or disability; temporary total disability benefits; permanent disability benefits; vocational rehabilitation; and death benefits.
• You are automatically covered under the Worker's Compensation Program from the first day of employment.
• The State, as your employer, pays all contributions for Worker's Compensation.

EARNED LEAVE

Annual Leave
The amount of annual leave earned for the full-time non-exempt employee is:

• 1-4 years of service = 10 days per year at a rate of 3.08 hours per pay period
• 5-10 years of service = 15 days per year at a rate of 4.62 hours per pay period
• 11-20 years of service = 20 days per year at a rate of 6.15 hours per pay period
• 21 or more years of service = 25 days per year at a rate of 7.69 hours per period

Full-time exempt executive and administrative staff employees are eligible to earn 22 days per year at a rate of 6.77 hours per pay period. Annual leave is pro-rated for part-time employees. Employees with 21 or more years of service earn 25 days per year at a rate of 7.69 hours per pay period.

Holiday Leave
Employees are eligible for up to 11 holidays per calendar year. Employees earn additional leave for general or congressional elections and special holidays declared by the Governor.

Sick Leave
Regular employees are eligible to earn up to 15 days of sick leave per year. Sick leave may be accumulated without limit. If the employee is a member of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension System, accrued sick leave is credited to the employee's service time at retirement. Faculty members on a nine and one-half month contract earn sick leave at a rate of 11.87 days per academic year. Faculty members on a ten- month contract earn sick leave at a rate of 12.5 days per academic year.

Other Types of Leave
There are other types of paid leave available, such as: administrative, sick, compensatory, accident, and emergency release which can be used by the employee.

Paid leave is also granted for the following: military service for up to 15 work days per year; jury duty; summoned court appearances, as long as the employee is not a party to the action nor a paid witness; and up to four hours for exams and interviews within the State Personnel Management System.

Links:
Department of Budget & Management (Health Benefits): www.dbm.maryland.gov/benefits
Maryland State Retirement: www.sra.state.md.us or www.sra.maryland.gov
Maryland Supplemental Retirement Accounts: www.msrp.state.md.us
Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov
TIAA/CREF: www.tiaa.org
Fidelity Investments: www.fidelity.com

11/19
MAA:OHR