HR Policy #60-100

The University offers a wide array of benefits to all qualified employees. To be eligible, an employee must hold a regular full-time position. Individuals employed in full-time temporary positions are eligible to participate in the University's benefit programs only if employment is expected to continue nine (9) months or longer. Individuals holding part-time positions are not eligible to participate in the University's benefit programs (except for limited tuition waivers; please refer to HR Policy #60-150).  Individuals who are employed in temporary or part-time positions are eligible to participate in the University's voluntary supplemental retirement plans if hours of work average 20 or more hours per week.

Benefits Effective Date
Regular full-time employees are eligible to participate in benefit programs on the first day of regular employment.  Employees who are hired on or after July 1, 2009, are eligible to participate in benefit programs effective on the first day of the month following the date of full-time employment.

Mandatory and Voluntary Retirement Contributions
As a condition of employment, retirement participation is required (contributions by the employee and the University) for employees who hold full-time positions covered by the Kentucky Teachers' Retirement System (KTRS).  Retirement participation is also required for individuals holding part-time positions if employment averages seventy (70) percent time or more.  Retirement contributions are applicable regardless of the duration of appointment and are effective on the first day of covered employment.

Participation rules for the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) are the same as those for KTRS.

As a condition of employment, retirement participation is required (contributions by the employee and the University) for employees who hold full-time positions covered by the Kentucky Employees' Retirement System (KERS).  Retirement participation is also required for individuals holding part-time positions if employment averages one hundred (100) hours or more per month.  Under KERS procedures, mandatory retirement contributions only apply to individuals whose employment is expected to be six (6) months or longer.  Should an appointment originally be established for less than six (6) months, but later exceed this limit, retirement contributions must be initiated at the earlier of the following: 1) at the time employment extends to six months or more, or 2) at the time it is determined that employment will exceed the six (6) month limitation, if sooner than six (6) months.

Full-time and part-time employees are eligible to enroll in voluntary supplemental retirement accounts effective the first of any given month following completion of required enrollment documents.

Official Leaves of Absence
Employees who are granted an official leave of absence without pay may elect to continue applicable benefits provided arrangements are made with the Department of Human Resources and the total premiums for coverage are paid by the employee. The University will continue to pay its share of employer sponsored benefits during any FMLA approved leave and/or leave for personal illness.  This same rule applies in situations where employees are granted leave for professional purposes.  Benefit continuation during a leave of absence may extend up to a one (1) year period (refer to plan documents for special rules applicable to certain benefit programs).

Vacation and medical leave are not earned during an unpaid leave of absence. Service credit in KTRS or KERS, as applicable, is not earned during an unpaid leave of absence. However, employees may elect to purchase retirement credit for qualifying leaves following the rules established by the appropriate retirement system. Employees who elect to purchase such credit shall be responsible for all costs and payments to the respective retirement system.