Fringe Benefit Rate | Controller's Office

• Consistency and Transparency: Equivalent job codes pay same rates, regardless of the individual election
• Shift of Risk: Central pool better positioned to manage shortfalls due to size, reducing department risk
• Easier budgeting: More predictable on what the expense will be when we hire someone.  It will not be based on what the employee elects, the department is charged the same rate no matter what based on the employee classification
• No Surprise on termination payout
• Reduces time and effort on PETs

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Medicare
• Optional Retirement Plan (401a)
• Vacation and Sick Payout
• Unemployment Compensation
• Worker's Compensation
• OASDI
• PERA
• FAMLI (effective FY24)

The following is a summary of each employee group makeup and associated benefits eligibility.

• >= 50% FTE is 20 or greater standard hours in a work week (40 hours total)
• < 50% FTE is less than 20 standard hours in a work week (40 hours total)

*Standard hours combine all positions within the university.

Regular Faculty >= 50% FTE
This group includes all full-time instructional and research faculty with the majority having nine-month academic-year appointments, which may include incremental appointments to serve as academic department chairs, summer teaching, and sponsored research appointments. They are not eligible for accrued vacation and sick leave payout (Termination Pay) upon termination/retirement. There are an insignificant amount of faculty that have twelve-month appointments which would be eligible for Termination Pay.

Regular Faculty < 50% FTE
This group includes all part-time instructional and research faculty with the majority having nine-month academic-year appointments, which may include incremental appointments to serve as academic department chairs, summer teaching, and sponsored research appointments. They are not eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans (ORP or PERA) or Termination Pay upon termination/retirement. There are an insignificant amount of faculty that have twelve-month appointments which would also not be eligible for Termination Pay.

University Staff >= 50% FTE
This group includes all full-time officer/exempt professional staff and is eligible for all benefits. Current PERA members with no break in CU service must continue PERA in lieu of ORP.

University Staff < 50% FTE
This group includes all officer/exempt professional staff with less than a 50% appointment. This group is not eligible for Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, or Retirement Plans (ORP or PERA). Some members of this group who are not eligible for some benefits, such as group insurance, can be eligible for vacation and sick leave in some cases.

Student Faculty/Workers (Hourly)
This group includes graduate and undergraduate students on a salaried appointment as a Graduate or Undergraduate Assistant, Graduate Part-Time Instructor, Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Graduate Reader or Administrative Intern. This group also includes student hourly employees. Students on academic appointment receive tuition remission and these costs are excluded from the composite fringe benefit rate calculation. This group is only eligible for the Medicare benefit when paired with a Student Retirement election.

Classified Staff Permanent
This group includes all permanent classified staff and is eligible for all benefits with the exception of ORP and OASDI.

Classified Staff Temporary
This group includes all temporary classified staff with benefits limited to PERA, Medicare, Unemployment Compensation, and Workers’ Compensation.