Employee Benefits

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Employees of the University of Hawai'i fall into one of four distinct categories of employment: Civil Service, Faculty, Administrative/Professional Technical (APT) (professional non-faculty), and Executive/Managerial. The latter three groups are Board of Regents (BOR) appointees and are collectively referred to as BOR employees. 

The UH System Human Resources provides a summary of employee benefits listed below. For more detailed information, go to the University of Hawai'i System Human Resources website at http://www.hawaii.edu/ohr

Vacation Leave 

Eligible employees earn vacation leave at the rate of 14 hours per month for each full month of qualifying service and may accumulate up to a total of 720 hours (90 days). Vacation hours in excess of 720 are forfeited annually. (Most instructional faculty do not earn vacation leave, but observe an annual non-duty period) 

Sick Leave 

Eligible employees accrue sick leave at the rate of 14 hours per month for each full month of qualifying service. Full-time 9-month instructional faculty at the four-year campuses earn 15.75 days of sick leave per academic year. At the community colleges, 9-month instructional faculty earn 18 days of sick leave per academic year. There is no limit on the number of hours that may be accumulated. Upon retirement, unused sick leave may be used to enhance retirement benefits (20 days of sick leave credits = 1 additional month of service credit). 

Leave Share 

The leave-sharing program allows employees to donate unused vacation leave to fellow University employees recovering from a serious illness or injury or caring for an immediate family member with a serious illness or injury. Leave donations may be made to the central leave bank or to a specific individual. Employees who are not eligible to earn vacation leave may donate unused sick leave credits. 

Family Leave 

Employees may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid family and medical leave, up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave under the Service member Family Leave provision, and/or up to 4 weeks of leave under State law or collective bargaining (faculty members may be eligible for up to 4 months), during each calendar year. Certain paid leaves may be substituted for unpaid leave. http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm

Other Types of Leaves 

Employees may be eligible for paid leave for bereavement, jury duty, active military duty, sabbatical/professional improvement, and various leaves w/out pay. Administrative leave is granted for parent teacher conferences, family court hearings for foster children, disaster relief, blood donation, blood testing for bone marrow and organ donation matches, and bone marrow and organ donation. 

Holidays 

There are 13 paid holidays per year (14 during an election year). 

Workers' Compensation 

If an employee incurs a work-related injury or illness, benefits are available to cover eligible medical expenses and to replace a portion of the employee's lost wages while the employee is unable to work. Accrued vacation and sick leave credits may be used to supplement workers' compensation benefits to realize full pay. 

Temporary Disability 

Employees may be eligible to receive partial wage replacement benefits if disabled from work due to a non-work related injury up to 26 weeks. 

Employees' Retirement System (ERS) 

For Employees Hired Before July 1, 2012

The State offers a Hybrid Plan for all eligible employees hired after June 30, 2006. In addition to employer contributions, employees contribute 6% of their pre-tax compensation to supplement their pension benefit. Under the Hybrid Plan, employees vest after 5 years of service and may retire after 5 years of service at age 62 or at age 55 with 30 years of service. Upon retirement, a normal benefit is based on years of service multiplied by 2% of the average three highest years of pay (average final compensation or AFC), subject to the IRS cap. 

For Employees Hired After June 30, 2012

The State offers a Hybrid Plan for all eligible employees hired after June 30, 2012. In addition to employer contributions, employees contribute 8% of their pre-tax compensation to supplement their pension benefit. Under the Hybrid Plan, employees vest with 10 years of credited service and may retire at age 65 with 10 or more years of credited service or at age 60 with 30 or more years of credited service. Upon retirement, a normal benefit is based on years of service multiplied by 1.75% of the average five highest years of pay (average final compensation or AFC), subject to the IRS cap.

EUTF Benefits for Retirees

When you retire from the State, health insurance benefits may be available depending upon when you were hired and the number of years of credited service you have at the time of your retirement (see chart below). 


Number of Years of Credited Service (excludes sick leave at Retirement) State's Base Monthly Contributions*
You were Hired before 7/1/96 You were hired 7/1/96-6/30/01 You were hired on or after 7/1/01**
5 but less than 10 years 50% 0% 0%
10 but less than 15 years 100% 50% 50%
15 but less than 25 years 100% 75% 75%
25 or more years 100% 100% 100%

* The Base Monthly Contributions is applied to the statutory cap or actual premiums, whichever is lower. The retiree will pay any difference between the base monthly contribution and actual premiums. 

** If you were hired on or after 7/1/01, the State's base monthly contributions will be only for you. (i.e., no contributions will be made for your dependents). If you were hired before 7/1/01, the State's base monthly contributions will be for both you and your dependents. 



You are eligible to enroll in any available plans at the time of your retirement regardless of what plans, if any, you were enrolled in just prior to retirement. 



For more information on the health care plans offered by EUTF, contact your human resources representative or the EUTF office at 586-7390 or toll-free at 1-800-295-0089. You may also visit the EUTF website at http://eutf.hawaii.gov/



Retirement benefits may be subject to change by the ERS Board of Trustees. More information is available through the ERS website



Tax Deferred Annuity Program (IRC 403(b))

The University's 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity is a voluntary pre-tax supplemental retirement savings program available to all eligible University employees. The program complies with Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and is currently administered by National Benefit Services. More information is available at www.nbsbenefits.com/UH403b/UHindex.htm



Deferred Compensation (IRC 457) 

The State's Deferred Compensation Plan, known as the "Island Savings Plan," is available to all eligible State employees and complies with the provisions of Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. Participation in this pre-tax supplemental retirement savings program is voluntary. More information is available at islandsavings.preparewithpru.com/



Hawai'i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) 

Employees may elect enrollment in one of the medical/Rx drug plans, prescription drug only, dental, and vision care plans. Employees have the option of paying their health premiums on a pre-tax or post-tax basis. Spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of employees are eligible for coverage. Information is available through the EUTF website



Premium Conversion Plan (IRC Section 125) 

The State's Premium Conversion Plan (PCP) provides an opportunity for participants to increase their take home pay by making their EUTF premium contribution on a pre-tax basis. 



Group Life Insurance 

Currently the State pays 100% of the monthly premium for group life insurance coverage. Current benefits range from $38,361 (under age 65) to $7,672 (age 80 and over). The benefit for retired participants is $2,034. Securian group life insurance benefit information for retired participants. 



Flexible Spending Account – Island Flex 

The State's flexible spending accounts benefit program allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses on a reimbursement basis. More information is available through the  Island Flex website



Work-Life

The University of Hawai'i offers various services and programs that support a healthy work-life balance.


UH Faculty and Staff Identification Cards 

Identification cards are available for all faculty and staff. Services and discounts may vary by campus. 



University of Hawai'i FCU 

University employees and students and their spouses or household members are eligible for membership in the University of Hawai'i Federal Credit Union. Members enjoy free traveler's checks and special rates on loans, as well as savings, checking, and charge account services. The main office is in close proximity to the Manoa campus, with campus branch services provided by an office on the Manoa campus and service representatives on other campuses. www.uhfcu.com 



The above benefits are subject to modification or termination due to changes in legislation, collective bargaining provisions, and/or policies, etc. This summary does not constitute a legal document or contract. Benefits may vary by type of employment and employment conditions. 



Rev. October 2021

 

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