Eligibility

Retirement Program Eligibility

Employees who are employed at 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) or more for a period of twenty (20) weeks or longer within a fiscal year are required to participate and contribute to an eligible retirement program.  

Retirement Program Effective Dates for New Hires
Retirement Program Effective Dates for Newly Eligible Employees

Benefits Eligibility

Employees who are employed at 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) or greater and in a position that is six (6) months or more in duration are considered eligible for benefits (except graduate assistant/associate positions) as determined by the Arizona Department of Administration.

Eligible Dependents
You may cover the following dependents on your insurance plan(s):

1. Your spouse or domestic partner
2. Your or your domestic partner's natural, adopted, step child(ren) who meet one of the following criteria:
   • Under the age of 26
   • Was disabled before the age of 19
3. Child(ren) placed in your or your domestic partner's guardianship pending adoption
4. Your or your domestic partner's foster child(ren) under the age of 26
5. Child(ren) under the age of 26 for whom you or your domestic partner have court ordered guardianship

Documentation may be required to verify a dependent's eligibility and to determine his/her tax status. 

Newly hired benefits-eligible employees have a 90-day waiting period prior to becoming eligible for benefits.  Employees who have service with the University or any other Arizona state university or agency in the two years prior to their hire date are not subject to the waiting period.  More information can be found at:

Benefits Effective Dates for New Hires
Benefits Effective Dates for Newly Eligible Employees