Benefit Options for Employed Postdoctoral Scholars

Training grant or fellowship recipients and internationally funded scholars are not benefits eligible because they are not employed by the University of Arizona.*

Benefit Type Postdoctoral Research Associates I-V Benefits-Eligible Employees

Insurance Benefits

Dental insurance For self and dependents For self and dependents
Medical insurance For self and dependents For self and dependents
Basic life insurance Yes Yes
Supplemental life insurance For self and dependents For self and dependents
Long-term disability insurance Yes Yes
Short-term disability insurance For self and dependents For self and dependents
Vision insurance For self and dependents For self and dependents

Family Benefits

Childcare cost reimbursement
    Up to $2,000/year for qualified expenses
Yes Yes
Childcare placement advice Yes Yes
Back-Up Care (for children, adults & elders)
(Subsidized hourly charge to caregivers)
Yes Yes
Elder care resources Yes Yes
Leave Programs
Family and medical leave for self or immediate family members
Unpaid job-protected time available for up to 12 weeks after 12 months of  employment and 1,250 hours worked
Yes Yes
Paid parental leave
Up to 12 weeks paid + 12 weeks unpaid  for either parent after 12 months of employment 
Yes Yes
Sick time
   12 days/year for own illness or to  care for immediate family
Yes Yes
Vacation time

10 days in first year; 15 days/year beginning in year 2; can carry over 1.5 times annual accrual

22 days/year; can carry over 320 hours
Paid holidays (10 per year) Yes Yes
University Closure†
   Paid time off when U of A is closed from Christmas to New Year.
Yes (if fiscal appointment) Yes (if fiscal appointment)

Retirement Benefits

Arizona State Retirement System or Optional Retirement Plan Not available Participation required—U of A matches employee contribution
Voluntary 403(b) supplemental retirement plan Those under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000/year  Those under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000/year 
Voluntary 457 deferred compensation plan Those under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000/year   Those under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000/year 

Wellness Benefits

Counseling services† For self and dependents For self and dependents
Nutrition counseling† Yes Yes
Wellness screenings† Yes Yes

Other Benefits

Flexible spending accounts
   To pay for healthcare or dependent-care expenses on a pre-tax basis
Yes Yes
Qualified Tuition Reduction Program
   For self and eligible dependents
Yes Yes
Free financial advising with certified financial planner Yes Yes

*Examples of training grants include the National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 mechanism and the NIH F32 individual postdoctoral fellowship.

† U of A pays for or subsidizes benefit.