15.A General Principles

One of the ways the University of Michigan strives to attract and retain an outstanding faculty is through its benefits programs. Faculty and their dependents are eligible for a variety of benefits with a significant portion of the cost underwritten by the University. Many benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, are administered centrally through the Benefits Office, located in the Wolverine Tower Low Rise. Questions regarding payroll and benefits can be answered by calling the HR/Payroll Service Center at (734) 615-2000 or 1-866-647-7657 (toll free for off-campus long-distance calling within the U.S.). Following is a brief description of some of the main benefits available to University faculty. The book entitled "Your Benefits" details the various benefit options. It is sent to all new faculty and is available during new employee orientation sessions. For more information, see the Benefits Office website at <www.umich.edu/~benefits>; Chapter 16, "Leaves, Absences, Holidays, Vacations, and University Closures;" and Chapter 19, "Retirement, Emeritus/Emerita Status."

The University has a flexible benefits plan that allows faculty members to choose the benefits that best fit their personal needs and lifestyles, including opting out of certain benefits because they have other insurance outside the University, and receiving cash back. However, enrollment in most benefits plans is not automatic. New faculty receive information about benefits when they arrive on campus and should follow the enrollment procedures within the stated time limits. Changes to health insurance coverage may be made only during the annual open enrollment period, with the exception of a qualifying change in circumstances or family status (i.e., marriage, birth of a child, etc.). Before the Open Enrollment period begins, eligible faculty and staff receive information about their current benefit elections, options and costs for the next calendar year, and how to sign up for changes in their benefit elections during Open Enrollment.

Faculty with a change in family status (i.e., birth of a child or marriage) must register the change with the Benefits Office within 30 days after the event in order to add or delete dependents from benefits coverage. Faculty who anticipate taking a leave of absence should contact the HR/Payroll Service Center at 734-615-2000 or 1-866-647-7657(toll free for off-campus long-distance calling within the U.S.) as soon as the leave is approved for information about benefits coverage during the leave period. See Section 16.C.4, "Family and Medical Leave Act."

Benefits Office
HR/Payroll Service Center
G-250 Wolverine Tower - Low Rise
3003 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1281

Phone: (734) 615-2000 or 1-866-647-7657 (toll free for off-campus long-distance calling within the U.S.)
Fax: (734) 763-0363
Email: benefits.office@umich.edu
Web: <www.umich.edu/~benefits>

Limitations on Benefits

The University in its sole discretion may modify, amend or terminate the benefits provided in SPG 203.2 Health and Welfare Benefits with respect to any individual receiving benefits, including active employees, retirees, and their spouses, persons eligible for benefits in the category of Other Qualified Adults, and dependants. Although the University has elected to provide these benefits, no individual has a vested right to any of the benefits provided. Nothing in SPG 203.2 gives any individual the right to continued benefits beyond the time the University modifies, amends, or terminates the benefit. Anyone seeking or accepting any of the benefits provided will be deemed to have accepted the terms of the benefits programs and the University's right to modify, amend or terminate them. In the event there is an inconsistency between SPG 203.2 and an applicable collective bargaining agreement, the provision of the collective bargaining agreement will govern.

Faculty Handbook: Benefits and Services: