Active PSU Employee Benefits Summary

This information is intended to summarize the benefits offered to Pittsburg State University unclassified and university support staff employees appointed to benefits-eligible positions. Benefits for employees appointed to positions that are more than 50% but less than 100% may be pro-rated. For additional information on each benefit, click on the benefit heading or contact HRS, 204 Russ Hall, Pittsburg, KS 66762 (620)235-4191.

Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate. It is not intended to replace the legal source (i.e. plan document, contract, memorandum of agreement, statute or regulation). In case of any discrepancy between this information and the legal source, the legal source will govern in all cases. Employees may review the legal source upon request. Although intended to be on-going, these benefits may be suspended, revoked or modified by the State of Kansas, the Kansas Board of Regents or Pittsburg State University at any time. Nothing in this information shall be construed as a contract of employment between the State of Kansas and any employee, nor as a guarantee of any employee to be continued in the employment of the State.

Health Insurance

PSU employees in benefits-eligible positions are eligible to enroll in various plans offered through the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP). Plan options can change each year. Open enrollment occurs every year in the month of October. Details about plan options are available here. Refer to the information specific to the plan year. Employees will complete the initial enrollment and all other enrollment actions in the SEHP Membership Administration Portal (MAP). Details about enrollment will be sent via email.

Medical Plans

When Eligible: First day of employment.

Who Pays: University contributes a portion of the cost of full-time employee health coverage minus the employee's contribution. University and employee both contribute for dependent health coverage. Employee contributions can be deducted "before tax" or "after tax."

 

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Employee pays for dependent care expenses and medical and dental care expenses not reimbursed by insurance with pre- tax dollars. Employee must sign up for the flexible spending accounts every year during open enrollment.

When Eligible: First day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee.

Vision Service Plan- Basic or Enhanced

When Eligible: First day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee.

 

Additional Health Plan Benefits

 

Life Insurance (Employer-Provided Life Insurance)

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University (administered through the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System).

Life Insurance (Employee-Paid Optional Group Life Insurance)

Employee may purchase the following amounts in optional group life insurance coverage.

  • Employee: $5,000 - $400,000
  • Spouse: $5,000 - $100,000
  • Child: $10,000 or $20,000

When Eligible: May enroll at any time; however, guarantee issue amount within 1st 30-days of employment without providing proof of good health

Who Pays: Employee pays premium based on age of employee/spouse and amount of insurance purchased.

Accidental Death Benefit

When Eligible: 1st day of employment for KPERS/KP&F covered positions. Unclassified Employees are eligible the 1st day of the pay period in which Regents Mandatory Retirement contributions begin.

Who Pays: University (administered through the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System).

Disability Insurance - Long Term

When Eligible: 1st day of employment for KPERS/KP&F covered positions and Unclassified Employees in Regents Mandatory Retirement covered positions.

Who Pays: University (administered through the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System).

Long Term Care Insurance

Employees and eligible family members may purchase group long term care insurance from LifeSecure Insurance Company by ACSIA Partners.

When Eligible: May apply at any time; however, newly hired employees have 90 days after they become benefits eligible to apply for coverage with simplified underwriting.  Employees 66 or older must satisfy full underwriting requirements.  Spouses and family members of eligible employees must satisfy full underwriting. 

Who Pays: Employee pays premium directly to the company by direct bill or electronic fund transfer.


 

Vacation Leave

When Eligible: Accrual starts on 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Holidays

Paid holidays designated by the Governor. Governor may also designate one discretionary holiday.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment. May use Governor's discretionary holiday after 6 months of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn 3.7 hours per pay period. May be used for personal illness or for illness of family member.

When Eligible: Accrual starts on 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Shared Leave

  • State of Kansas Shared Leave Program for University Support Staff & Unclassified Employees NOT in the KNEA Unit: Qualifying employees may receive donations of leave when they experience a serious, extreme or life threatening injury, impairment or physical or mental condition, either personally or by a family member. Family member is limited to persons related to the employee by blood, marriage or adoption; and minors residing in the employee's residence as a result of court proceedings pursuant to the Kansas code for care of children or the Kansas juvenile offenders code. Employee must use accumulated balances of leave, including vacation and sick leave and compensatory time earned, before requesting donations.

  • Unclassified Employees in the KNEA Unit: Qualifying employees may receive donations from a sick leave pool when they experience an incapacitating illness or injury, either personally or by a family member. Employee must use accumulated sick leave balance, be on leave without pay for 10 working days and have donated at least one day of sick leave to the pool during the current academic year to request donations. Family member is limited to persons related to the employee by blood, marriage or adoption; and minors residing in the employee's residence as a result of court proceedings pursuant to the Kansas code for care of children or the Kansas juvenile offenders code.

When Eligible: After 6 months of continuous service for the State of Kansas program and 1st day of employment for members in the KNEA Unit.

Who Pays: University.

Funeral Leave

Employee granted up to six (6) days funeral leave under certain circumstances.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Jury Duty Leave

Paid leave for required jury duty before court or other approved body. 

When Eligible: Upon approval of University.

Who Pays: University.

Military Leave

Up to 30 days paid each 12-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30 of the following year for active duty. Other military leave also available without pay.

When Eligible: Upon approval of University.

Who Pays: University.

Leave Without Pay

Time off with administrative approval for special circumstances, including pregnancy.

When Eligible: Upon approval of University.

Who Pays: N/A

Family & Medical Leave (FMLA Leave)

Up to 12 weeks of leave for certain family and medical reasons. Leave may be "with pay" (with accrued vacation or sick leave) or "without pay."

When Eligible:After 12 months of service.

Who Pays: University (if leave with pay).

Job Injury Leave

Up to 6 months paid leave following qualifying injury.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment (upon qualifying injury).

Who pays: University.

Workers Compensation Insurance

Employees who are disabled due to a job-related injury or disease are entitled to medical expenses for treatment and income benefits to replace part of the wages lost due to the disability. Survivors' benefits also available if death results.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who pays: University.

Education Savings Program-Learning Quest

Learning Quest is a 529 education savings program established by the State of Kansas and offers anyone who is a U.S. Citizen or resident an easy way to invest for a college education. Employees may contribute to Learning Quest through payroll deduction.

When Eligible:1st day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee.


 

Retirement Plans

  • Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) (University Support Staff Employees): Monthly retirement benefit with various options. Employee contributions deducted from paycheck "before tax."

    • KPERS 1 - members hired before July 1, 2009 or members vested in KPERS 1 upon employment.  5 year vesting. Early retirement at age 55 with reduced benefits. Retirement with full benefits on the 85 point plan or at age 62 with 10 years of service. Normal retirement at age 65 with no minimum service requirements. 

      Who Pays:
      Employee contributes 6% of salary "before tax." (Rate for University contribution is set by law each year.)

    • KPERS 2 - members hired between July 1, 2009 and December 31, 2014 or members vested in KPERS 2 upon employment.  5 year vesting.  Early retirement at age 55 with reduced benefits.  Retirement with full benefits at age 60 with 30 years of service or at age 65 with 5 years of service. 

      Who Pays:  Employee contributes 6% of salary "before tax."  (Rate for University contribution is set by law each year.)

    • KPERS 3 - members hired January 1, 2015 or after.  5 year vesting.  Early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service with reduced benefits.  Retirement with full benefits at age 60 with 30 years of service or at age 65 with 5 years of service.

      Who Pays:  Employee contributes 6% of salary "before tax."  (Rate for University contribution is set by law each year.)

 

  • Kansas Police & Firemen's Retirement System (KP&F) (University Police Only): Monthly retirement with various options. Employee contributions deducted from paycheck "before" tax. Vesting and retirement age depends on whether covered by "Tier I" or "Tier II."

    When Eligible: Mandatory participation on 1st day of employment in KP&F covered position.

    Who Pays: Employee contributes 7% of salary "before tax." (Rate for University contribution is set by law each year.)

  • Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan (Unclassified Employees): Monthly retirement benefit with various options. Employee contributions deducted from paycheck "before" tax. Early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service. Regular retirement at age 60.

    When Eligible: Mandatory participation after 1 year service in an eligible position.

    Who Pays: Employee contributes 5.5% of salary "before tax" to one of the approved providers selected by the employee. University contributes 8.5% of salary to the same provider.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Monthly retirement benefit. Employee contributions deducted from paycheck "before" tax to be used at retirement.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee.

Voluntary Tax Sheltered Annuity Program

Monthly retirement benefit. Employee contributions deducted from paycheck "before" tax to be used at retirement.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee.

Phased Retirement Program (Regents Mandatory Retirement Plan Members Only)

Reduction in appointment and salary but retention of full-time employer-paid benefits in preparation for full retirement.

When Eligible: Age 55 with 10 years of full-time service.

Who Pays: University.

Social Security

Financial assistance at retirement and in case of disability.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: Employee pays percentage of gross monthly salary. University matches that same amount.

Sick Leave Bonus (Retirement Only)

Employee receives payment for unused sick leave upon retirement based on the following:

Table

Minimum Years of Service

Minimum Sick Leave Accrual

Sick Leave Bonus

8 years

800 hours (100 days)

240 hours (30 days)

15 years

1000 hours (125 days)

360 hours (45 days)

25 years

1200 hours (150 days)

480 hours (60 days)

When Eligible: Upon retirement with minimum 8 years of service and 800 hours of unused sick leave accumulated.

Who Pays:
University.

Unemployment Insurance

Coverage provided through Kansas Employment Security Law.

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Longevity Pay (University Support Staff Employees Only)

Employee receives payment of $500 after 10 years of service, and an additional $50 each year thereafter for a maximum payment of $1250.

When Eligible: After 10 years of State service.

Who Pays: University.

9 Pay 12 Payroll Deduction Program

Savings Plan for 9-month faculty in which a percentage of net pay from 20 academic year paychecks is deposited into the PSU Foundation.  At the end of the academic year, the PSU Foundation provides a reimbursement check to the employee for the full amount withheld. 

When Eligible: 1st day of employment

Who Pays: N/A

Tuition Assistance Programs

Note: Tuition Assistance Funds are limited.
PSU has been able to pay no more than 3 credit hours for each semester.

  • Staff Enrollment Fees: Employees assessed fees at the "staff" rate (resident hourly rate minus campus privilege fees).

        When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

        Who Pays: University.

  • Non-Resident Assistance: Employees who live out-of-state pay resident fees. If employee is full-time, spouse and dependents also pay resident fees.

        When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

        Who Pays: Employee pays resident tuition.

  • Tuition Assistance Program (University Support Staff Employees and Unclassified Employees Not Appointed to Teaching Positions Only): University pays for a percentage of tuition and fees for approved courses.

        When Eligible: Employee tuition assistance is available on the first day of the semester following the employee’s appointment start date.

        Who Pays: University.

  • Tuition Waiver Program (Dependent Children): Percentage of tuition is waiver for qualifying dependents based on employee's length of service. Maximum of eight (8) semesters eligible for waiver.

        When Eligible: The 100% dependent tuition waiver is available on the first day of the semester following the employee’s appointment start date.

        Who Pays: University.

  • Tuition Assistance Program (Spouse): University pays for a percentage of tuition for approved courses for qualifying spouses.

        When Eligible: Spouse tuition assistance is available on the first day of the semester following the employee’s appointment start date.

        Who Pays: University.

Service Awards

Pittsburg State University Service Pin

When Eligible: After 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service with the University.

Who Pays: University.

Health Promotion Programs (HealthQuest)

When Eligible: 1st day of employment.

Who Pays: University.

Miscellaneous Benefits

  • Recreation Facility: Pitt State employees will have free, unlimited access to the SRC and its programs, including intramural sports, group fitness classes, and member rates for personal and small-group training. Spouses may become members for a fee.

  • Tickets for University-Sponsored Events: Full-time employees may obtain one complimentary ticket for University sponsored events.

  • Bryant Student Health Center: Currently employed faculty and staff are eligible to receive services.

About Pittsburg State University

  • For more information about Pittsburg State and the Pittsburg area, click here.