Home > III. Human Resources

Chapter 18 – Insurance

(Amended 7/1/73; 7/1/74; 1/1/86; 9/93; 10/94; 10/95; 9/97; 7/99; 10/01; 7/02; 10/04; 2/07; 1/11; 10/15; 7/1/17; 8/18; 7/19/23)

Effective July 19, 2023, this policy has been revised. For individual changes, see the redlined versions of III-18.1 and III-18.4.

18.1 Eligibility

(Amended 7/1/73; 7/1/74; 1/1/86; 7/02; 10/04; 2/07; 10/15; 7/17; 8/18; 7/19/23)

Effective July 19, 2023, this policy has been revised. For individual changes, see the redlined version.

  1. Life Insurance. Mandatory for full-time regular faculty/staff members and part-time regular faculty/staff members working at least 50 percent time. Excludes students, interns, externs, fellows, post-docs, and temporary or visiting staff members. (Amended President 7/1/74; 1/1/86)
  2. Disability Insurance. Mandatory for full-time regular faculty/staff members and part-time regular faculty/staff members working at least 50 percent time. Excludes students, interns, externs, fellows, post-docs, and temporary or visiting staff members. (Amended President 7/1/73; 1/1/86)
  3. Health and Dental Insurance (Voluntary). Available to full- and part-time regular faculty/staff members working at least 50 percent time, with the exception of students, interns, and externs.
  4. Retirement Programs. All University faculty/staff members with the exception of students, fellows, house staff, adjunct faculty,* or appointments of less than six months must participate in one of the following retirement programs:
    1. Iowa Public Employees Retirement System. Available to either full- or part-time, regular or temporary faculty/staff members who are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, with the exception of students, fellows, house staff, adjunct faculty,* and faculty/staff members hired on a temporary basis for less than six months.
    2. University Funded Retirement Program (TIAA or an approved substitute annuity). Available to either full- or part-time, regular or temporary faculty/staff members, with the exception of students, fellows, house, staff, adjunct faculty* and faculty/staff members hired on a temporary basis for less than six months.
  5. Retirement Compensation Limit. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 401(a)(17) and IRS guidance issued under that Code section provide annual limits on the amount of compensation that may be considered under a tax-qualified plan for purposes of determining contributions made to the plan. Neither individual nor University contributions will be permitted on compensation in excess of the IRS annual compensation limit. Individuals hired before January 1, 1996, are governed by the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993 compensation limits. Annual IRS limits are maintained on the University Benefits Retirement Plan webpage.
  6. Social Security. Mandatory for all full- and part-time regular and temporary faculty/staff members, excluding students and certain non-resident aliens.

* Exceptions may occur when other employment is held in conjunction with these types of appointments.

18.2 Life Insurance

(Amended 7/02; 1/11; 7/1/17)

Coverage begins as of the first day of the month following the employee's appointment. Faculty and staff members have a choice of coverage in the amount of $50,000 or 2, 2.5, or 3 times their salary.

The employee may name anyone as beneficiary or beneficiaries, and may change the beneficiary at any time by the completion of the proper form which is available on the Employee Self Service website. 

18.3 Long Term Disability Insurance

(Amended 10/15)
  1. Effective date. The effective date of the Long Term Disability Insurance coverage is the first day of the month following the employee’s appointment. A staff member who is not actively working at that time becomes eligible on the date of return to work.
  2. Benefits.
    1. Qualifications. Enrolled staff members may qualify for benefits if:
      1. they become totally disabled by reason of disease or bodily injury and such disability during the first 24 months prevents them from performing the majority of the material duties of their normal job and during any continuation of such disability beyond 24 months from engaging in any work or occupation for which they are reasonably fitted by education, training or experience; and,
      2. such disability existed for at least 90 working days; and,
      3. they become disabled while their disability insurance is in effect.
    2. Additional requirements and specifications.
      1. Proof of disability must be submitted periodically. The University or insurance company, or both, may require a medical examination by a doctor of its choice.
      2. A staff member who qualifies will receive a monthly income commencing on the 91st working day or commencing on the day following exhaustion of all accrued sick leave, whichever is greater. The 90-day waiting period will not start anew for employees who, in an effort to return to work, return for six months or less but cannot continue.

18.4 Medical and Dental Programs

(Amended 10/04; 7/19/23)

Effective July 19, 2023, this policy has been revised. For individual changes, see the redlined version.

The University offers to faculty and staff members a selection of medical and dental programs. Membership is open to eligible faculty and  staff members on the first day of the month following their first day of employment. 

Medical and dental benefits are explained in detail in booklets furnished by the University Benefits Office, 120 University Services Building, or at https://hr.uiowa.edu/benefits.

18.6 (Reserved for future use)

18.7 Unemployment Compensation

All University staff members, with the exception of certain students, are eligible for unemployment compensation. The cost of the program is paid entirely by the University. The local Iowa Workforce Development Office takes applications for compensation and will explain an employee's rights and obligations. Departments having questions concerning the program may contact the University's Employee and Labor Relations Office, 121-20 University Services Building.