BENEFIT ELIGIBILITY

Full-time, benefits-eligible employee of the University of Chicago (“the University”) scheduled to work at least 35 hours per week.

Part-time, benefits-eligible employee of the University scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week.

CHANGING FROM FULL-TIME TO PART-TIME

This section details how your benefits will be impacted should your employment status change from full-time to part-time.

Group Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Your optional life insurance coverage is a multiple of your annual salary. Visit Group Life Insurance for more information.
Your University-provided Long-Term Disability coverage decreases from $14,000 to $7,000.
Your Long-Term Disability coverage is based on your annual salary. Visit Long-Term Disability Insurance for more information.

Educational Assistance Program

When you change to part-time status, you are no longer eligible for the Educational Assistance Program.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

You may elect to participate in, or change your annual election for, the Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care FSA for the remainder of the calendar year within 31 days of your change from part time to full time. Log in to Workday using your CNetID and password to make your desired changes.

Medical

Your contribution rates for medical coverage will increase. Visit Health and Welfare Plan Rates to review rates for part-time employees. The new rates will automatically be deducted from your paycheck as soon as your status change is processed.

Qualified Transportation Program

To enroll in the commuter program, change, or cancel your order, visit HealthEquity (WageWorks) by the 10th of every month.

Retirement Benefits

Your contributions under the Contributory Retirement Plan (CRP) and the defined contribution part of the Retirement Income Plan for Employees ("ERIP") are based on your compensation. Accordingly, if your compensation decreases with your change from full-time to part-time status, your retirement contributions will be based on your reduced compensation.

Your benefit under the defined benefit part of ERIP is based in part on your Final Average Pay (FAP). Your FAP is the average of your compensation over the five consecutive years (out of your final ten years of employment) that produce the highest five-year average. Accordingly, if your compensation decreases with your change from full-time to part-time status, your FAP (and thus your defined benefit) may be reduced.

Tax Withholding

If your rate of pay changes as a result of your reduction in hours, you may need to change your tax withholding status. Log in to Workday using your CNetID and password to make your desired changes. For assistance with updating your withholding elections please contact Payroll via Shared Services.

Time Off

Staff Employees Only: The rate at which you accrue vacation and sick leave will change based on the number of hours you are scheduled to work in a week. Refer to the personnel policies for Vacation and Sick Leave for additional information regarding accrual rates.

CHANGING FROM PART-TIME TO FULL-TIME

This section details how your benefits will be impacted should your employment status change from part-time to full-time.

Group Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability

Your optional life insurance coverage is a multiple of your annual salary. Visit Group Life Insurance for more information.
Your University-provided Long-Term Disability coverage increases from $7,000 up to $14,000.
Your Long-Term Disability coverage is based on your annual salary. Visit Long-Term Disability Insurance for more information.

Educational Assistance Program

When you change to part-time status, you are no longer eligible for the Educational Assistance Program.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

You may elect to participate in, or change your annual election for, the Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care FSA for the remainder of the calendar year within 31 days of your change from part time to full time.

Medical

Your contribution rates for medical coverage will decrease. Visit Health and Welfare Plan Rates to review health rates for full-time employees. The new rates will automatically be deducted from your paycheck as soon as your status change is processed.

Qualified Transportation Program

To enroll in the commuter program, change, or cancel your order, visit HealthEquity(WageWorks) by the 10th of every month.

Resources

Should you need assistance in locating additional care for a family member as a result of a change in your work schedule, the University offers resources to help you find appropriate Child Care and Elder Care.

Retirement Benefits

Your contributions under the Contributory Retirement Plan (CRP) and the defined contribution part of the Retirement Income Plan for Employees (ERIP) are based on your compensation. Accordingly, if your compensation increases with your change from part-time to full-time status, your retirement contributions will be based on your increased compensation.

Your benefit under the defined benefit part of ERIP is based in part on your Final Average Pay (FAP). Your FAP is the average of your compensation over the five consecutive years (out of your final ten years of employment) that produce the highest five-year average. Accordingly, if your compensation increases with your change from part-time to full-time status, your FAP (and thus your defined benefit) may be increased.

Tax Withholding

If your rate of pay changes as a result of your reduction in hours, you may need to change your tax withholding status. Log in to Workday using your CNetID and password to make your desired changes. For assistance with updating your withholding elections please contact Payroll via Shared Services.

Time Off

Staff Employees Only: Your time-off benefits will change based on the number of hours you are scheduled to work in a week. Visit the personnel policies for Vacation and Sick Days for more information.

UNIVERSITY/HOSPITAL TRANSFER

Transferring to the University

When you transfer your employment from the University of Chicago Medical Center to the University, you are considered a new hire, and must enroll to begin new benefits coverage with the University. For more information on starting a new job with the University, visit Getting Started.

Transferring to the University of Chicago Medical Center

When you transfer your employment from the University to the University of Chicago Medical Center, you are considered a new hire, and must enroll to begin new benefits coverage with the Medical Center. Depending on your work location, there may be additional steps you should take when leaving the University.

Service Accruals

Please refer to the Personnel Policy 209 - Staff Employee Hires to the University of Chicago from the University of Chicago Medical Center for the policy regarding the crediting of service when you transfer from the Medical Center to the University.

Eligibility and Vesting Rights under ERIP

Please refer to the Retirement Income Plan for Employees (ERIP) Summary Plan Description (SPD) found on the Benefit Plan Documents page for the rules regarding the crediting of service for eligibility and vesting purposes.

NEW JOB WITHIN THE UNIVERSITY

If you transfer from one University job to another, contact your departmental administrator to find out whether your prior department has transferred your:

Vacation
Sick Days
Personal Holiday Accruals

Employment Status Change