Benefits & Retirement

Full-Time & Part-Time Employees are eligible if employed in a "regular" position with an FTE of .5 or greater.

Temporary Employees* are eligible if employed in a "temporary" position for more than six (6) months with an FTE of .5 or greater.

• If a temporary worker’s original assignment is fewer than six months, they are not benefits eligible.   
• If a temporary worker’s original assignment is greater than six months, they will be benefits eligible with no waiting period. 
• If a temporary worker’s original assignment was fewer than six months, but at a later date their assignment is extended to greater than six months, the worker will be benefits-eligible at the time of the extension and is not required to work six months to be eligible.

Postdoctoral Associates are eligible for regular benefits including major medical, disability, and life insurance. Postdoctoral Associates are not eligible for retirement benefits. If you have questions about these benefits or about your eligibility to participate, contact the Benefits Office.

Dual Spouse Enrollment
Married employees who both work for the university (any campus) may participate in the Dual Spouse premium sharing arrangement. An employee whose spouse is employed by an ancillary group may not participate. One employee must be designated the medical insurance certificate/contract holder and possess a 100% percent benefits FTE. Dual Spouse enrollment is limited to the Blue Cross Blue Shield High Option and Employee and Spouse or Employee and Family coverage category.

Employee Plus One
Elect health, dental, vision and other insurance for same-sex and opposite-sex partners and their dependent children. The relationship must meets all the following criteria:

• Has resided in the same residence as the employee for at least the past consecutive 12 months and intends to remain so indefinitely;
• Is at least 19 years old;
• Is directly dependent upon, or interdependent with, the employee, sharing a common financial obligation that can be documented in a manner prescribed by the university; and
• Is not currently married to or legally separated from another individual under either statutory or common law.

Employee Plus One Dual
Employees and their plus one (must meet criteria for Plus One) who both work for the university (any campus) may participate in the Employee Plus One Dual premium sharing arrangement. An employee whose plus one is employed by an ancillary group may not participate. One employee must be designated the medical insurance certificate/contract holder and possess a 100% percent benefits FTE. Enrollment is limited to the Blue Cross Blue Shield High Option and Employee and plus one or Employee and Family coverage category.

The University of Nebraska is committed to helping you take control of your health. To help you manage your health–and health-care costs–we offer the opportunity to complete the Wellstream Health Risk Assessment (HRA) each year during the NUFlex Benefits enrollment period. The assessment asks you health-related questions in multiple categories, helping aggregate an overall picture of your lifestyle and health-related risks.

Benefits of completing the HRA include:

• Annual preventive care allowance of $400 (for insureds age 2 and over)
• $0 copay for seasonal vaccines administered at an in-network pharmacy and submitted to the prescription drug program
• $0 copay for generic prescription drugs non-specialty through the mail service program with no annual deductible
• 100% coverage for a routine preventative colonoscopy once every 10 years beginning at age 45

If you haven't taken the HRA before, consider taking it during the NUFlex Benefits enrollment period this fall. You will receive a personalized health summary that aggregates your answers, identifies areas where you may be at risk, and points out factors that are modifiable. The report is very helpful in improving or maintaining your personal health status.

PROVIDER: BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, 866.926.1498
Telehealth Provider: Telescope, 844.908.3295
Virtual Exercise Therapy Provider: Hinge Health
Online Nutrition Program Provider: Virta

The group health plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) health benefit plan. Medical coverage benefits summary and plan descriptions:

• Low (FSA eligible)
• Basic (FSA eligible)
• High (FSA eligible)
• Qualified High Deductible (HSA eligible)
• Bronze Plan

Telehealth 
Your healthcare coverage includes , around-the-clock access to telehealth services. Whether it’s a sudden illness, minor injury or mental or behavioral health need, board-certified physicians are just a video chat or phone call away—ready to provide expert care when you need it most.

Virtual exercise therapy and personalized support 
With Hinge Health, you can access virtual exercise therapy and personalized support at no cost to you. Whether you're dealing with everyday aches or recovering from an injury, this program is designed to help you feel and move better.

Online nutrition program
Virta is a fully covered program designed to help you and your dependents (ages 18 to 79) lower blood sugar, lose weight, and feel your best. To learn more or to enroll, visit virtahealth.com/join/universityofne.

PROVIDER: EmpiRx Health, 833.419.3436
Patient Saver Provider: Luna Health Solutions, 866-906-4854

Prescription Drug Coverage & Management:

• Pharmacy Network
• Nebraska Medicine Special Pharmacy
• Mail Order Pharmacy, Prescription Mart 
• HRA Completion and EmpiRx Health
• Plan Descriptions (Regular, Enhanced, and High Deductible Plans)
• EmpiRx Health Pharmacy Benefit FAQs
• Prescription Appeals Process
• Vaccine Coverage

The Patient Saver program provides copay assistance for your prescription medications, lowering your copay at the pharmacy for eligible medications. (Print the flyer)

• A Luna Health Coordinator will contact you directly if you qualify and assist by handling every step of the process for you - from pre-qualification to enrollment and coordination with your pharmacy.

PROVIDER: BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, 866.926.1498

This Group Dental Plan is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) dental benefit plan. You can learn more about Dental Coverage benefits summary and plan description.

PROVIDER: EyeMed, 877.226.1115

We provide comprehensive vision care benefits to help ensure you and your dependents receive quality eye care.

You can choose from a variety of network providers, including private optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians and the nation's leading optical retailers including LensCrafters, Sears Optical, Target Optical and most Pearle Vision locations.

PROVIDER: Inspira Financial, 844.729.3539

We have two accounts:

• Health Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Employees may contribute up to $3,400 (for 2026) annually to the Health Care Flexible Spending Account.
  • Contributions are withheld on a pre-tax basis and are exempt from both state and federal income taxes and Social Security.
  • Participating employees are required to make contributions through Dec. 31 of each year.
  • An annual Health Care Flexible Spending Account election may not be reduced before the end of the calendar year when a qualified change in status occurs.
  • What can I claim?
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
  • Employees may contribute $1 to $7,500 annually to the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account. If both spouses are employed, the contribution total for both employees cannot exceed $7,500.
  • Contributions are withheld on a pre-tax basis and are exempt from both state and federal income taxes and Social Security.
  • Participating employees are required to make contributions through Dec. 31 of each year, unless a Permitted Election Change Event occurs. In that case, employees must enroll or make a change in contribution within 31 days of the Permitted Election Change Event.
  • What can I claim?

You can not participate in both a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

PROVIDER: Fidelity Investments, 800.343.0860

The University offers a HSA through Fidelity Investments. When you sign up for the qualified high deductible health plan, Fidelity will communicate information regarding the opportunity to set-up and begin payroll deductions to fund a Fidelity HSA account.

You can not participate in both a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

PROVIDER: Assurity Life Insurance

The university offers four types of insurance through Assurity Life Insurance. 

1. Life Insurance Employer-Provided
   The university provides term life insurance coverage equal to one times your annual budgeted salary up to a maximum of $120,000, rounded up to the nearest $100 through the Assurity Life Insurance company.
2. Voluntary Life Insurance
   Voluntary life insurance coverage (term ‐ no cash value) is available and payable in the event of an employee death, thus giving the family or beneficiary financial protection. Each voluntary life insurance option includes varying amounts of coverage with premiums based on the
   employee’s age and tobacco/nicotine use. 
3. Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
   The AD&D insurance plan provides benefits if an employee or a covered family member die or are dismembered (loss of eye, arm, leg, etc.) as a result of an accident. There are 11 AD&D options, ranging in amounts up to $250,000. Family coverage may be elected which
   includes coverage for a spouse at 50% of the employee’s coverage amount and dependent children at 10% of the employee’s coverage amount. Premiums are withheld on a pre-tax basis.
4. Dependent Life Insurance
   Dependent life insurance offers employees financial protection in the event of the death of their spouse or child.
   Premiums are withheld on an after-tax basis.Spouses applying for coverage requiring proof of insurability must complete a Statement of Health form. 

PROVIDER: UNUM

The LTD provides monthly benefits if an employee becomes ill or injured and is unable to work. This income replacement is designed to restore part of the work earnings lost during a period of disability.

• Benefits summary, enrollment and cost
• How do I file a disability claim?

PROVIDER: Genworth Life Insurance Company, 800 416.3624

Long term care insurance helps pay covered expenses for long term care services whether they are received at home,in the community or in a nursing facility. 

Annual Open Enrollment will begins the last week in October and is open for three weeks.

Your benefits selection from the prior year will automatically roll over, with the exception of flexible spending accounts. You only need to change what you want to be different, or add new benefits. The health risk assessment and tobacco/nicotine designation need to be completed on a yearly basis.

The University of Nebraska provides a retirement plan for the purpose of accumulating lifetime retirement income through participation in the Basic Retirement Plan. Both employees and the university contribute to the Basic Retirement Plan based on a percentage of their salary. Employees may choose between two levels of participation.

• Mandatory Participation: Employees age 30, who are employed in a regular budgeted position, and who have completed two years of service* and possess an employment status equal to one‐half full‐time equivalency (.5 FTE) or greater are required to participate. Certain positions may be excluded from participation.
• Voluntary Participation: Employees ages 26‐29, who are employed in a regular budgeted position, and who have completed two years of service* and possess an employment status equal to one‐half full‐time equivalency (.5 FTE) or greater may participate voluntarily. Certain positions may be excluded from participation.

*Employees who satisfy the eligibility requirements for participation except for the two‐year service provision may enroll if they can prove qualifying service with a prior employer whose primary purpose or activity provided a formalized program of education. You can complete the Record of Prior Service form electronically.

Note: All new retirement-eligible employees are automatically enrolled in Tier 1. If you are currently in Tier 1 and would like to move to Tier 2, you can change your 401(a) contribution amount one time a year. 

Download the Basic Retirement 401(a) Plan Loan Application  PDF

Employees may participate in the Supplemental Retirement Plan, which establishes individual annuity and/or custodial accounts to supplement Basic Retirement Plan contributions. Participation is voluntary and 100% employee-funded.

Download the Supplemental Retirement 403(b) Plan Loan Application PDF

Employees are eligible to participate in the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Participation is voluntary and 100% employee-funded.

TIAA, 800.842.2776

Fidelity Investments, 800.343.0860