Employee Benefits
Medical, dental and vision benefits are generally effective on the employee's first day of employment. All other benefits are effective on the first day of the month after the first day of employment (e.g., March 1 for an employee starting Feb. 6), unless the first day of employment is on the first day of a month (e.g., Feb. 1 for an employee starting Feb. 1).
Employees who do not enroll within the first month of their initial eligibility must wait for either open enrollment in the fall or a qualifying life event before enrolling.
Annual Disclosure Notices
Discounts and Special Rates
Brandeis employees can avail themselves of discounted museum and movie theater passes, T passes and homeowners insurance as well as special rates on products ranging from Apple and Dell computers to Verizon wireless plans.
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Procurement and business services has negotiated special rates on a variety of goods and services with many of our preferred vendors to include discounted pricing that is extended to faculty and staff of Brandeis University. These include:
- Apple
- AT&T Wireless
- Dell
- Enterprise National Car Rental
- GovConnection
- UPS
- Verizon FiOS
- Verizon Wireless
- WB Mason
Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible spending accounts enable employees to pay for eligible health (medical, dental and vision) and/or dependent care expenses with pretax dollars, thereby reducing their tax burden.
See overview of flex spending accounts
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Flexible spending accounts allow employees to pay for eligible dependent care expenses up to $5,000 per year with pretax dollars, thus reducing their overall tax burden. Eligible expenses include:
- Before- and after-school programs for children
- Child or adult day care
- Day nursing care, if primarily for dependent adult(s)
- Preschool for children
- Summer day camp for children
See list of eligible dependent care expenses
Flexible spending accounts allow employees to pay for eligible health care expenses up to $3,200 per year with pretax dollars, thus reducing their overall tax burden. Eligible expenses include:
- Health care, including acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, laser eye surgery, orthotics, prescription drugs and many over-the-counter medications
- Dental care, including orthodontia
- Vision care, including contacts, glasses and laser eye surgery
See list of eligible health care expenses
A Health Savings Account (HSA), allows you to set-aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. As an additional benefit, the University is contributing $500 in January 2024 to the HSAs for employees who enroll in the HDHP. Unlike a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you own your HSA account and therefore it’s portable, which means that if you separate from Brandeis, you can take your HSA funds with you.
OPENING AND CONTRIBUTING TO YOUR FIDELITY HSA
The HSA is managed by Fidelity. Call and speak with a Fidelity HSA service specialist at 800-544-3716 and or view Fidelity's HSA reference guide (pdf) for guidance and more information.
Health Insurance (Dental, Medical, Vision)
Brandeis offers eligible employees a choice of four medical plans, two dental plans and a voluntary vision plan.
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Medical Insurance options administered through Harvard Pilgrim Health Care:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Dental Insurance plan options administered by Delta Dental of Massachusetts:
Voluntary vision coverage administered by VSP.com
As we previously communicated, Tufts Health Plan and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are now combined into a single health and well-being organization -
Point 32 Health. While Point32Health has assured us that they will offer the same level of care and access as to medical providers as we had with Tufts Health plan, there are several important transitional items that you need to be aware of:
- As of January 1, 2024, your current Tufts Health Plan will transition to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care health plan.
- MyConnect, (866-623-0184) is a Member Advocate service and is your direct connection to Harvard Pilgrim for assistance with questions about your coverage.
- You and your covered family members will receive new member ID cards in the mail for your 2024 health plan.
- If you are actively receiving care from a Tufts Health Plan provider who is not available as a Harvard Pilgrim provider, you will be able to continue receiving care from this provider for 90 days or through March 31st, 2024, whichever is greater.
- As Harvard Pilgrim members you will continue to have access to our internal teams and service navigation support, as well as broad network of providers for your behavioral health service
- A robust New England network of providers with nearly 80,000 doctors and specialist and 153 hospitals
- A national network provided by UnitedHealthCare with access to more than 1.5 million providers nation-wide
- Telehealth services through Doctor On Demand for 24/7 virtual urgent care and Behavioral Health needs
Good health can actually cost less if we take greater control through healthy life styles and smart health care decisions.
Brandeis University will offer a consumer driven High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) for the 2024 plan year. The HDHP will be offered as a new option in addition to the existing medical plans.
The HDHP will allow employees to be more active in decisions regarding their health care with lower employee rates and a higher deductible before coverage starts. Enrolling in the HDHP will also allow you to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) where you contribute pre-tax dollars to offset your out of pocket costs.
As an additional benefit, the University will also contribute to the HSAs for employees who enroll in the HDHP and elect the HSA. The HDHP is structured very differently than our other medical options and it will be important for you to understand the plan in detail before enrolling.
Life and Disability Insurance
Brandeis provides group term-life insurance and group long-term total disability insurance to eligible staff and faculty.
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Brandeis University provides group term-life insurance to eligible staff and faculty. The formal plan governs entitlement to benefits, benefit levels and other life-insurance coverage matters.
The university provides group long-term total disability insurance to full-time staff (both nonexempt and exempt) and faculty. Follow these links for details:
Retirement Savings Plans
Brandeis University provides a 403(b) defined contribution retirement plan that enables eligible employees to direct contributions to investment options sponsored by Fidelity Investments.
See overview of retirement savings plan benefit
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All regular faculty and exempt staff who are scheduled to work half-time or more for not less than 39 weeks per year are eligible to participate in the basic retirement plan upon completion of one year of service and attainment of 21 years of age.
Faculty and exempt staff who make a contribution of at least 5% of their salary will receive an 8% university contribution. For participants over age 50, the university contribution increases to 10%.
Visit the university's retirement savings portal
All regular nonexempt employees who are scheduled to work half-time or more for not less than 39 weeks per year are eligible to participate in the basic retirement plan upon completion of one year of service and attainment of 21 years of age.
Nonexempt employees who make a contribution of at least 3% of their salary will receive a 6% university contribution. For participants over age 50, the university contribution increases to 8%.
Visit the university's retirement savings portal
Time Off and Leaves of Absence
All regular benefits-eligible staff earn paid vacation, sick and personal days as well as leave time for military service, educational advancement, family and medical emergencies, becoming a parent or losing a family member.
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All regular benefits-eligible staff earn time off on a per-pay-period basis based on time worked or paid leave. Accruals are prorated for part-time employees. Employees may track time taken in Workday.
Regular faculty and staff will be granted leave with pay up to five calendar days in the event of the death of a family member depending upon circumstances and custom.
Learn more about bereavement leave policy
An unpaid leave of up to six months may be granted to employees who wish to pursue educational advancement in an area or field that is work-related. Such leaves are granted only when the employee intends to return to the university following the leave.
learn more about educational leave policy
In accordance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, eligible faculty and staff are eligible for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave during a 12-month period.
Brandeis University is committed to protecting the employment rights of employees absent on military leave. In accordance with federal and state law, no employee or prospective employee will be subjected to any form of discrimination on the basis of that person's membership in or obligation to perform service for any of the uniformed services of the United States.
learn more about military leave policy
Eligible new parents may take up to eight weeks of unpaid leave for the birth of a child or the adoption of a child under the age of 18, or for a child under the age of 23 if the child is mentally or physically disabled.
Learn more about parental leave act
It is the policy of Brandeis University to allow employees time off for certain family-related purposes in accordance with the Small Necessities Leave Act of 1998. This policy is designed to guarantee eligible employees up to 24 hours of time away for specific purposes not covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
learn more about the small necessities leave act
Brandeis employees are covered by the laws of the commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to workers' compensation insurance. The coverage provides a weekly cash benefit and payment for medical expenses relating to an accidental injury while at work for the university. Brandeis has elected to self-insure for workers' compensation.
Learn more about workers' compensation plan
Tuition Remission
Brandeis offers tuition remission — financial help to take undergraduate courses— to many employees and their spouses and children. Employees also are eligible to receive tuition remission for graduate courses.
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Spouses of full-time employees may enroll in Brandeis University undergraduate courses on a space-available basis and receive a 75% tuition remission. Courses may be taken through either the School of Arts and Sciences or the Rabb Summer School program.
learn more about tuition remission for employee's spouse
Dependent children of qualifying staff may receive tuition-remission benefits after being accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University.
Dependent children of eligible full-time faculty members (excluding full-time faculty in the Rabb School) and senior management may receive tuition-remission benefits when they are accepted and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate academic program at Brandeis University or another higher educational institution.
learn more about tuition remission for dependent children enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs
Work-Life Balance
To help balance work achievements and life activities, Brandeis offers a variety of programs, services and resources to help our employees attain a healthy lifestyle.
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Dependent Care Resource and Referral Programs
Quality, dependable child care arrangements are a major consideration when you’re a parent.
The
Gersh and Sarah Lemberg Children's Center, located directly across from campus, offers employees full- and part-time care for children 6 weeks to 6 years. Along with parents and Brandeis students, professional child care providers operate this nonprofit, accredited, licensed day care center, with payment based on income.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. You can reach them at 781-736-2200.
Resources
We are pleased to announce that starting January 1st Brandeis will be partnering with KGA as our new Employee Assistance Program. KGA offers 24/7 access to a network of experts providing support for mental health, childcare, eldercare, legal, financial issues and more. KGA’s confidential services are available to you and your adult household members, at no cost to you. You do not need to receive benefits through Brandeis to access this resource.
KGA MOBILE APP
Call 1-800-648-9557or visit the website. Log-in password: brandeis
KGA WELLNESS CALENDAR
KGA VIDEO - SERVICES OVERVIEW
KGA SUMMARY OF SERVICES PDF
Financial Wellness Events - Attend a Complimentary Workshop
Fidelity continues to offer very informative live and on demand in-person workshops and webinars. Participate in practical in-personal workshops, where you’ll learn strategies and tips to help manage your financial future with confidence.
Understanding Roth Contributions in your Workplace Plan*: In this workshop, you’ll learn about the Roth contribution option, available in your workplace savings plan. This is a virtual workshop: Tuesday, May 21st @ 12pm Register now!
Five Money Musts: Learn about five basic money concepts to help you start your financial journey on the right foot. This is a virtual workshop: Monday, June 10th @ 12pm Register now!
You can also schedule a phone call or virtual one-on-one. Call 800-642-7131 or visit www.fidelity.com/schedule to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a registered Fidelity Representative.
Financial Planning Webcasts
Wellness Reimbursement
Harvard Pilgrim is excited to offer our new wellness reimbursement program, which expands on the existing fitness reimbursement. Now, you and dependents on your health plan can be reimbursed for qualifying fitness, select nutrition and mindfulness program fees up to $150 per individual plan and up to $300 per family plan. Faculty, staff, and postdocs are eligible.
For information and forms go to Wellness Reimbursement.
For More Discounts and Savings go to Harvard Pilgrim Health Care.
Harvard Pilgrim - Well-Being Programs
Fitness Webinar Series
The free webinar series has been expanded to offer several programs each week, including regular sessions of guided mindfulness, Zumba, yoga and rotating health and wellness topic.
Monthly Health & Wellness Topics
This series of classes takes a holistic look at health to help you stay physically and mentally resilient. This webinar series will run on Wednesdays from 1 to 1:30 p.m. ET live via Zoom.
To enjoy a variety of topics please visit the HPHC Living Well at Home page.
7th Annual edHealth/HPHC Walking Challenge is Back!
Monday, June 3, 2024 through Saturday, July 6, 2024
The intercollegiate edHealth Walking Challenge is back. Brandeis, edHEALTH and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care are proud to invite you to take part in the Seventh Annual Walking Challenge for all employees. While Harvard Pilgrim is hosting the Walking Challenge for all employees, this does not affect your medical health plan coverage and you are eligible regardless of your health insurance carrier.
Employees can compete individually or as a team. Each member of a team tracks their steps individually, but team members can walk together to help each other boost their step count. Everyone who meets the weekly step challenge of an average of 5,000 steps per day will be entered into a raffle to win great prizes each week.
For eligibility, registration and awards information please visit
edHealth Walking Challenge Page
edHealth Walking Challenge (PDF)
Other Benefits
The list of benefits keeps going: ATMs, a credit union, parking and more!
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ATMs are located in the Shapiro Campus Center lounge (Citizens Bank) and in the basement of the Usdan Student Center, outside the university print shop (Santander Bank).
Metro Credit Union allows employees to save, borrow, obtain a VISA card or use a variety of other available banking services. Transactions are processed through payroll deductions. Employees interested in opening an account with Metro Credit Union can go directly to the Metro Credit Union Website.
Brandeis offer its community a world-class dining program, featuring great menu variety, the highest quality products and service, in a relaxed setting.
Employees may have their paychecks deposited directly into up to three different checking and/or savings accounts. Enroll online through Workday (login req.) or contact the payroll office.
Free parking is available to all employees who operate or park a motor vehicle (automobile, truck, motorcycle, motor scooter or motor bike) on university property. Vehicles must display a valid permit, which are available from the Department of Public Safety.