Contract Postdoctoral Associate Benefits
The following benefit plans and programs are available upon employment based on eligibility. If you have any questions about these programs, you should contact Benefit Services at (607) 255-3936 or send a message to benefits@cornell.edu.
Cornell-provided benefits
Postdocs in a Contract college are eligible to participate in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). Contract college postdocs are also eligible to enroll their domestic partners (same or opposite sex and their dependents) in the health insurance program. You must enroll within the first 42 days of your employment with coverage beginning on the 43rd day. New York State pays most of the cost of your coverage. Your portion of the premium depends on whether you elect individual or family coverage. You may choose from two options: The Empire Plan or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) in your geographic area that has been approved for participation in NYSHIP.
- For additional information about health care rate, please check: 2005 Contract College Health Rates, to compare the plans, check: 2005 Contract College Health Comparison Chart
- To obtain health and dental forms click here: Contract College Health and Dental Forms
The Empire Plan
The plan provides hospital and related expense coverage through Empire Blue Cross for medically necessary elective, emergency or urgent care as long as your stay has been precertified. Medical/surgical benefits are provided through United HealthCare, administrator for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, for a copayment, paid directly to the provider, when you choose a participating provider. If you obtain services from a non-participating provider, you must pay the provider directly and then be reimbursed by United HealthCare for covered services, subject to a deductible and applicable coinsurance. Mental Health and Substance Abuse services are administered by ValueOptions and insured by GHI.
- For additional information check: Empire Plan Participating Providers, NYSHIP General Information Book for Employees enrolled in the Empire Plan
The HMO Option
An HMO provides health care services under the supervision of a primary care physician. In addition to the premium, there may be plan copayments. This option is available to you if you live or work within the HMO's geographic service area. You are eligible for enrollment in HMOBlue CNY if you live or work in any of the following counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins. Other HMO options are available for employees in other areas of the state.
When you join an HMO, you agree to receive care from doctors and hospitals associated with the HMO. All primary care must be performed by or referred by your primary care physician.
- For additional information check: Contract College HMOs
Dental Coverage
If you are eligible for contract college health plans, you are also eligible for dental insurance. You, your spouse/domestic partner/dependent children become eligible on the first of the month following six full months of active employment. The State of New York pays the full cost of this coverage, but you must enroll to participate in the plan. Coverage is provided through Group Health Incorporated (GHI). Benefits are paid according to a schedule of allowable charges and are subject to an annual deductible.
- For additional information check: Contract College Dental Plan and Claim Forms
- Contract College Dental Plan Participating Providers
Retirement Plans
New York State Employees' Retirement System (NYSERS)
NYSERS provides retirement, disability, and death benefits to the employees of the New York State Contract Colleges at Cornell University and Cornell Cooperative Extension county associations, as provided under New York State retirement law.
If you participate in the NYSERS plan, you may be required to contribute 3% of your income to the plan for a certain period. The plan provides income in retirement for vested members based on years of service performed under the plan and the income levels recorded during those years of service.
State University of New York Optional Retirement Plan (SUNY-ORP)
Cornell postdocs may choose to enroll in the SUNY-ORP. Contributions you make and those made through SUNY vary according to your Tier, which is generally based on the date you enter the system. Tier III, Tier IV, and Tier IV(a) participants are required to contribute 3% of their gross salary. All contributions are used to purchase individual retirement annuity contracts from TIAA-CREF. Vesting (ownership) occurs immediately for employees who own preexisting contracts or have active membership in the New York State Employees' Retirement System and after a 366 day waiting period for all other participants.
Alternate funding vehicles
Three additional firms-ING, Met Life, and AIG VALIC-provide alternate funding vehicles into which employees may transfer their accumulations. Employees enrolled in TIAA-CREF may continue all investments in TIAA-CREF or may transfer all or a portion of their accumulations to one or more of the alternative funding vehicles. Future contributions are remitted to TIAA-CREF, however, you may elect to have contributions sent to one or more of the alternate funds vehicles from TIAA-CREF.
Cornell-provided benefits
Long Term Disability (LTD)
Cornell offers an LTD program that provides income replacement of 60% of the budgeted salary, up to a maximum of $7,500 per month (when combined with benefits from Workers' Compensation, Social Security, other group disability and employer contributory retirement plans) for staff and faculty who are unable to work due to total disability. Benefits begin after six months of continuous total disability and generally continue until you are no longer disabled or reach age 65.
Cornell provides coverage for SUNY Optional Retirement Plan (SUNY-ORP) participants continuously with eligible employment status. Participants in the New York State Employees' Retirement System (NYSERS) or the Federal Civil Service Retirement System have Cornell provided coverage prior to vesting in their respective retirement systems. Once vested in NYSERS or the Federal Civil Service Retirement System, members have disability coverage provided through those programs.
NYSERS and Federal Civil Service Retirement System participants who become vested may continue coverage through the Cornell LTD plan in addition to the disability coverage provided through their respective retirement systems.
Basic Life Insurance
The university provides basic coverage equal to one-half your budgeted annual salary, up to a maximum coverage of $50,000. Any amount of death benefits payable under the Survivor's Benefit Program, New York State Employees' Retirement System, or the Federal Civil Service Retirement System will offset Basic Life Insurance benefits received from Cornell.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The Employee Assistance Program offers a valuable confidential resource at no cost to you or your family. The program offers assessment, referrals and brief counseling services for faculty, staff and their families seeking to resolve personal and job-related problems.
Cornell Wellness Program
The Cornell University Wellness Program provides educational and physical fitness opportunities for faculty, staff, and their families to engage in healthy lifestyles that enhance the social and physical dimensions of life.
Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality
The Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity and Life Quality is dedicated to creating a positive environment for Cornell's faculty, staff, and students by assisting in the resolution of discrimination, harassment, and bias matters; providing resources in the areas of affirmative action and diversity; and by addressing work-related issues that affect the life quality of Cornell's increasingly diverse employee population.
Cornell Children Tuition Scholarship (CTTS)
Salaried Post Docs who have worked at least 4 years full-time are eligible for the CCTS benefit. This means we are able to go back and count all consecutive time worked previous to this date as long as the Post Doc was salaried and working full-time.
Payroll deduction benefits
Tax Deferred Annuity Plan
Cornell's Tax Deferred Annuity Plan offers faculty and academic staff the opportunity to save for retirement by making pre-tax contributions to a variety of investment options offered by TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments. Tax deferral on contributions and investment growth continues until you begin to withdraw money from the account, usually at retirement.
Select Benefits
This program allows faculty and staff to establish individual accounts, using pre-tax dollars, to pay for medial expenses not covered by health insurance plans or dependent care expenses. Aon Consulting administers the plan.
Group Universal Life Insurance (GUL)
GUL gives you the opportunity to purchase additional life insurance and participate in a cash accumulation fund. The plan allows you to elect up to 10 times your salary in life insurance coverage up to $1.5 million. The benefit is portable if you should leave the university. Coverage for family members is also available. If you elect to contribute to the cash accumulation fund, the interest earned is income tax-deferred as long as it remains in your account. You can borrow against the money in your cash accumulation account or make withdrawals. CIGNA insures the plan.
Personal Accidental Insurance (PAI)
You may voluntarily purchase individual or family coverage for accidental death, dismemberment, or total disability. You can select employee coverage amounts from $10,000 to $500,000, but coverage above $250,000 cannot exceed 10 times your annual budgeted salary. CIGNA insures the plan.
Long Term Care
Long term care insurance provides funds for a range of services for participants who need long term custodial care in a nursing home or at home. Cornell makes long term care insurance available through payroll deduction. CNA insures the plan.
Auto and Homeowner's Insurance
Automobile and homeowner's insurance may be purchased at group rates through a program arranged by Marsh@WorkSolutions. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction. You can compare coverage options between MetLife Auto and Home and Travelers, Inc.
Paid time off
Vacation
Post-doctoral associates accrue at the rate of one day per month, to a total of 15 days per year; additional days may be awarded to a total of 22 days a year at the discretion of the professor and the chairperson. Vacation must be taken before the termination date of the appointment; vacation cannot extend salary payments beyond the termination of appointment.
Holidays
The university recognizes the following holidays: Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and the day after, and winter holidays (usually six days between December 25 and January 1). According to the academic calendar, Labor Day is not a holiday for academic employees.
Leaves
Cornell provides leave for Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), military service or training, and jury duty.
Educational opportunities
Educational Programs
- The Guide to Workshops, published once a year, offers faculty and staff the opportunity to participate in numerous educational programs. Topic areas include communication, leadership, personal and career development, supervision, health and wellness, work and family, financial administration, and information technology.
- Extramural Program (Cornell Academic Courses) Postdocs may enroll in up to four credit hours per semester in Cornell academic courses tuition-free to help improve their job performance and assist in their career and personal development. Postdocs are eligible upon employment with approval of their supervisor and department head.
For more information
More detailed information regarding these benefits and privileges is contained in the Human Resource Policies on the Web at www.ohr.cornell.edu/policies/index.html and in Cornell's summary plan descriptions. If you have any questions about this summary or your employee benefit programs, contact Benefit Services, Office of Human Resources, 130 Day Hall, (607) 255-3936, or e-mail: benefits@cornell.edu.
While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Summary of Benefits, the legal documents, policies, or certificates pertaining to the various benefit plans prevail in the event of any discrepancy. This Summary of Benefits does not constitute a legal document. The policies summarized here are not conditions of employment and are subject to change. The language is not intended to create a contract between the university and its faculty and staff.
The university reserves the right to amend, modify or withdraw in its sole discretion any provision contained herein. Neither this document, nor any of its terms or provisions, constitutes a contractual obligation of the university.
Policies and benefits for members of collective bargaining units may differ from those described herein.