University of Alabama at Birmingham
PA-11: Employee Compensation

Health Care For new employees, coverage under UAB’s group health care, dental, or vision plans begins on the date of employment. Employees who wish to enroll in one of UAB’s health care, dental or vision plans may do so within 31 days of their hire date or a separate qualifying event. Premiums for health, dental, and vision insurance are pretax deductions from UAB paycheck. UAB provides premium assistance to eligible active employees by giving a medical premium discount based on (1) family size and (2) total combined household income. To apply for this discount, active employees must submit the Premium Assistance Application and furnish acceptable proof of total annual household income based on their most recently filed Federal Income Tax Return. The amount of the discount provided is equal to the lowest cost single plan employee medical premium offered. For 2019, the amount is $76 per month (up to $912 per year) subject to applicable taxes. Employee’s regular medical premium will remain tax-sheltered. Retirement The Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama (TRS) is a defined pension benefit plan (a specific benefit available upon retirement.) Participation is mandatory, and employees contribute a percentage of their gross monthly tax-sheltered contributions up to the IRS 401(a) annual earnable compensation maximum. In addition to the employee contribution, the university contributes a percentage (as determined by the Alabama Legislature) of the institution’s total payroll, which is deposited into the State General Retirement Fund. An employee is considered vested in the TRS program when 10 years of creditable service is earned. Retirement income is provided at age 62 to employees with 10 or more years of participating TRS service credit. Upon service retirement, employees are also eligible to join the state’s Public Education Employee Health Insurance plan (PEEHIP). Rates for this plan vary based on years of TRS creditable service. Life Insurance Group Term Life Insurance—Sponsored Provided at no cost to the employee; coverage varies with salary as indicated below Annual Salary Coverage up to $23,999 $30,000 $24,000 to $29,999 $37,500 $30,000 to $39,999 $50,000 $40,000 and Above 125 Percent of Salary with Maximum Insurance Coverage of $300,000 Employees may also voluntarily participate in additional benefits: supplemental retirement (TIAA-CREF), supplemental life insurance, and flex spending accounts for health care and/or child care expenses. Other Benefits: Educational Assistance for Employees and Their Families Educational assistance benefits are available to UAB employees and their spouses and/or dependent children. Eligible coursework must be taken at UAB for UAB academic credit and is subject to grade point average requirements. Leave Exempt and non-exempt employees accrue vacation and sick leave and are granted holidays each year. In addition, the University offers paid maternal and paternal leave (4 weeks) for employees who qualify for FMLA policy.