Benefits Links

Faculty Benefits Handbook

The Faculty Benefits Handbook is the official source for all policies and procedures governing the employment of all faculty personnel. Other manuals that govern the institution include: Administrative/Governing Regulations, Chairs' Handbook, Policy and Procedures Manual and Student Handbook.

Full-time, non-temporary and temporary faculty with three consecutive years of full-time employment are eligible for the following employee benefits:

Tax-exempt benefit payments

Section 125 of the IRS code covers tax-exempt benefit payments. Premiums for health, dental, optional life and retirement are paid with "pre-tax" dollars through payroll contribution. This is income earned before federal, state and social security taxes are withheld. Changes to coverage during the plan year cannot be made unless there is a qualifying event.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts are IRS-approved, tax-free accounts that save you money on medical and dependent care expenses. This benefit is provided by FEBCO and participation begins after 30 days of employment.

You authorize an annual election and deposits are made to your FSA account from your before-tax salary on a per-pay-period basis. Expenses are reimbursed daily through an electronic fund transfer (EFT) process to your savings/checking account. You can elect up to $5,000 for medical and/or $5,000 for dependent care expenses annually.

For more information, see our Flexible Spending Account webpage.  

Health Insurance 

To help you evaluate costs when making a decision on your Humana Health Care needs, the 2010 Employee Benefit Contribution guide is a great tool that shows different plan options with a personalized cost analysis on items such as copays, coinsurance amounts, payroll costs, deductibles and many other important variables that are all part of your decision on healthcare. 

For more information, see our Health Coverage web pages.

Dental Insurance 

Dental coverage is provided and underwritten by Delta Dental Plan of Kentucky. Dental benefits begin on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Rates are guaranteed through December 31 of the same year.

All eligible employees must complete an application with the provider to be covered. There are different plans to choose from on the 2010 Employee Benefit Contribution guide.

Preferred plan is a model that has in-network and out-of-network levels of benefits depending on whether the dental provider participates. The university currently pays for single level coverage for the preferred plan.

The Premier plan is a traditional open network and provides one level of benefits regardless of participation.

Delta Dental's website (http://www.deltadentalky.com) contains more information on the provider networks.

For more information, see our Health Coverage web pages. 

Life Insurance  

Group term life insurance (including AD&D) is provided and underwritten by The Standard Life Insurance Company. The university provides for one times the employee's annual base salary (rounded up to the nearest thousand) at no cost.

Coverage begins the first of the month after 30 days of employment. Initially, optional term life insurance is available in an equal amount based on age-rated premiums at the employee's expense. To add optional life insurance after the initial eligibility period would require a statement of insurability by the employee and approval by the carrier.

Short-Term Disability

The university offers employees the ability to participate in a voluntary Short-Term Disability program provided by MetLife.  Short-term disability benefits provide income replacement when an eligible individual has been off work more than 30 days due to illness or injury. 

Benefits are available at various levels up to 60 % of your basic weekly salary, up to the $1,000 weekly maximum.  Participating employees may receive benefits on approved claims for up to 22 weeks or until they are no longer disabled.  A pre-existing condition limitation applies for any condition that exists within three months prior to the effective date of coverage for the first 12 months that an employee is enrolled under the plan.

Long-Term Disability

The Standard Insurance Company is the carrier for the university's long-term disability plan (LTD). The university provides for LTD coverage after one year of employment at no cost to the employee.

Disability benefits are payable (if approved) after six months of consecutive disability. Once approved, a monthly benefit is provided at 60% of the employee's covered monthly salary (1/12 of base annual salary). This benefit will not exceed $10,000 per month less the sum of benefits from other sources.

Retirement

The university has a 403(b) defined contribution plan for all full-time, non-temporary faculty members through TIAA-CREF. Participation in the plan is mandatory the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

For members that have previously contributed to a TIAA-CREF retirement plan, participation may begin immediately. The university contributes 10% of contract salary each pay period and the participant contributes 5%. Contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. Faculty members may contribute additional monies to the plan as provided by law.

Additional Retirement Savings

NKU encourages employees to contribute additional savings towards their retirement. Contributions are made on a tax-deferred basis as allowable under IRS regulations. Employees may choose from the 401(k), 403(b), or 457 plan designs. For additional detailed information on these plans please contact these respective vendors:

• TIAA-CREF: 403(b) plan: 1-800-842-2776 or www.tiaa-cref.org. 
  
  
• Kentucky Deferred Compensation Authority: 401(k) & 457 plans: 1-800-793-4401 or www.kentuckydcp.com.  

Long-Term Care Insurance

The university offers employees the opportunity to purchase long-term care insurance on a voluntary basis. Long Term Care Financial Group administers the plan. There are three different plan designs available. Premiums are at a group discount rate based on the participant's age. Coverage may begin after 90 days of employment. Premiums are paid on an after-tax basis. 
 
Extended family members of the employee and the employee's spouse (i.e. parents, parents-in-law, brothers & sisters) are also eligible as long as they are working full-time (defined as 30 or more hours outside the home) and under the age of 65.

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program is a free, confidential service that is available to all employees that are eligible for health insurance benefits.  NKU realizes that your family, job and wellness are central to your life.  Occasionally, ordinary problems seem overwhelming and being able to talk to someone, no matter what the issue, would be a helpful. 

For more information, visit the St. Elizabeth Employee Assistance Program website. The phone numbers are  1-800-436.9300 and (859) 301-2570. 

Tuition Waiver Plan

NKU provides a Tuition Waiver Plan to employees and their legal spouses and dependent(s). Employees can utilize the tuition waiver program for undergraduate, graduate or law classes. The plan allows for a maximum of six (6) credit hours per semester for full-time employees and three (3) credit hours for regular part-time employees. 
 
Classes may not be taken during an employee's normal working hours. Employees will not be allowed to waive tuition if they have terminated employment, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or submit written notice of intent to terminate prior to the first day of the semester or summer session for which the waiver is requested. Tuition benefits may be applied to the statewide program to attend other state universities or colleges. 
 
The Tuition Waiver Plan allows for the participation of an employee's spouse and eligible dependent(s). Spouses and eligible dependent(s) must meet admissions requirements to NKU and the college/program to which they are applying. They are provided a maximum of six credit hours per semester for undergraduate courses. Spouses and dependents of part-time employees are provided a maximum of three credit hours. 

For more information, see our Tuition Waiver web pages.

Holidays

Eight legal holidays are observed by the university:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Presidential Election Day
• Thanksgiving Day (and the following day)
• Holiday break in December. 

The Board of Regents or the president may grant special holidays in addition to those listed. 

University Identification Card (All Card)

NKU All Cards (IDs) are available for all new employees. Cards can be obtained in the All Card Office (Student Union 120) 24 hours after the first day of employment providing all paperwork has been completed and submitted to Human Resources.

Once an All Card is made, it is activated the following business day. The All Card allows access to the university libraries, Albright Health Center, discounts for dining, vending and for employee purchases at the university bookstore. During this automated process, an e-mail account is also set up for the employee.
 
If necessary, manual entry of employee information can be arranged in advance (at least five working days) of employee's first day by contacting the All Card office. For information regarding the NKU All Card, please access the website: All Card

Campus Recreation Center

This program provides all university employees and retirees free access to the Campus Recreation Center (CRC). Employees must show an NKU All Card to enter the building. Employees' spouses and/or dependent children may purchase memberships: Spouse or dependent child: $84 annually, Family: $108 annually.

The CRC offers a wide variety of amenities for employees to access including fitness room, basketball courts, indoor running track, racquetball courts, pool, locker room, sauna and equipment rentals.  For more information regarding activities and services, please access the CRC website:  http://campusrec.nku.edu/

Credit Union  

Northern Kentucky University is affiliated with two credit unions for employees to join.  No membership fees are required in either of the credit unions.  

For details on the different programs available please refer to the following links: 

• www.deltacommunitycu.org  
  
  
• http://www.nkefcu.org/ASP/home.asp
  

U.S. Savings Bonds

Savings Bonds may be purchased by authorizing a payroll deduction. Bonds are issued as per the terms of the contract agreement.

Payroll

Payday for monthly paid employees (exempt) is the last working day of the month. Absence record cards are due in Payroll on payday. 
 
Payroll deductions are as follows: Federal income and FICA taxes; state income taxes; City of Covington tax (if the employee worked at the Covington campus); City of Cincinnati tax (if desired, a form must be completed); county tax (TANK); retirement; and benefits: credit union, health insurance dependent coverage, court-ordered garnishments, etc. 

Direct Deposit of Paychecks  

University employees may deposit their paychecks directly into a bank, savings and loan, credit union or other financial institution. Direct depositing gives you the following benefits: 

• Convenience: Your net pay is available to you the first thing on the morning of payday. If payday occurs while you are on vacation or sick, your pay is waiting for you in your account.  
  
  
• Safety: Direct Deposit eliminates the possibility of a lost or stolen paycheck.

Drug-Free Work Place Statement 

Northern Kentucky University abides by the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the Drug-Free Campus Act of 1989. All employees receive a copy of Northern Kentucky University's Drug-Free Workplace statement during the benefits orientation program.

University Statement: Asserting Respect for Human Diversity

Northern Kentucky University is a multicultural community of diverse racial, ethnic and class backgrounds, national origins, religious and political beliefs, physical abilities, ages, genders and sexual orientations. Our educational activities and everyday interactions are enriched by our acceptance of one another and, as members of the university community we strive to learn from each other in an atmosphere of positive engagement and mutual respect.
 
Because of the necessity to maintain this atmosphere, bigotry will not go unchallenged within this community. We will educate each other on the existence and effects of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, religious intolerance and other forms of invidious prejudice. When such prejudice results in harassment, intimidation or violence against persons or property, we will not tolerate such behavior.
 
All who work, live, study and teach in the Northern Kentucky University community should be committed to these principles, which are an integral part of Northern Kentucky University's focus, goals and mission.

Human Resources Information

• Office: Landrum Academic Center 708
  
  
• Phone: (859) 572-5200
  
  
• E-mail: hr@nku.edu
  
  
• Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
  

Emily Sumner, Benefits Manager
(859) 572-6387 / sumnere1@nku.edu

Benefit Planning and Administration, Benefit Vendor Management, Benefit Communications and Benevolent Association. 

Decca Buechel, Benefits Coordinator
(859) 572-5203 / buechel@nku.edu

Benefit Enrollment and Changes, Benefit Inquiries.

Trish Figg, PHR, Benefits Analyst
(859) 572-7556 / figgp1@nku.edu

Benefit Inquiries, Orientation, Exit Interviews, Leave of Absence Administration, Retirement Counseling.
 

Leslie Pierce, SPHR, HR-Manager 
(859) 572-7600 / piercel3@nku.edu

Staff Affirmative Action Plan, Diversity Recruitment, Employee Relations, Compliance Reports and EEOC Issues, University Welcome, Orientation.