Benefits

The Office of Benefits is dedicated to assisting our employees and retirees with high-quality, cost-effective benefit programs in support of the mission of The University of Texas System and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston).

Benefits Overview

For your health and well-being, the following benefits are offered to all benefit eligible employees of UTHealth Houston:

• Medical Benefits

  UTHealth Houston pays a portion of the medical plan premium for both employees and dependents. Insurance selections for employees and eligible dependents are effective the first calendar day of the month following the employment date with UTHealth Houston. Employees may choose from a variety of plans including:

  • Medical Insurance - 100% premiums for full time employees are paid by the University with competitive rates for family coverage.
  • Medical Insurance (for eligible dependents)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Coverage
  • Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment - a $20,000 policy for employee at no cost.
  • Short Term Disability
  • Long Term Disability
  • Long Term Care
  • UT Flex: Flexible Spending Accounts - UTHealth Houston employees have the option to pay for eligible medical and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Retirement Programs

  Teacher Retirement System (TRS) is the state retirement plan that provides retirement, disability and death benefits to eligible UTHealth Houston employees. TRS is a defined benefit plan that provides a monthly annuity to retirees based on a formula using salary and years of service. You are vested after attaining five years of service credit with a right to a retirement benefit. There are also disability, death and survivor benefits available to TRS members.

  Optional Retirement Program (ORP) is a defined contribution plan governed by Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b). You choose the investments made and the benefits are based on their performance. You're vested after one year and one day of participation with a right to both your and your employer's contributions. ORP is more portable than TRS. But, federal tax law prohibits 403(b) plans from providing disability benefits like those provided by TRS.

  Voluntary Retirement Plans are also available. UTSaver TSA 403(b); and UTSaver DCP 457(b). Any employee appointed to work is eligible to participate in these programs.

• Compensation

  UTHealth Houston competitive pay includes an overall compensation package that may include a combination of the following:

  • Base pay
  • Performance rewards
  • Differential pay as appropriate (shift, unit based, etc.)
  • State of Texas longevity pay after two years of service
• Time Off

  UTHealth Houston provides employees with many types of leave programs:

  • Vacation that provides approximately 3 weeks’ vacation in the first year and accrual increase every two years
  • Sick Leave
  • Compensatory Time and Overtime
  • An average of ten paid institutional holidays per year
  • Family and Medical Leave
  • Parental Leave
  • Available leave for military service, funeral, civic duty, preventative care and required education
• Flexible Work Schedules

  After six months of employment, flexible work schedule is available.  This provides employees more control over when and where they can accomplish their best work. Workplace flexibility enables employees to meet their responsibilities at and away from work. UTHealth Houston offers an array of workplace flexibility options; some are offered as benefits to qualifying employees, while others are offered at the discretion of management.

• Tuition Assistance

  After six months of employment, the Tuition Assistance Program provides limited, non-taxable reimbursement to qualified employees for undergraduate or graduate tuition, books, and required fees. Reimbursement amounts vary based on specific degree program(s).

• Parking and Transportation

  Available onsite parking is optional via the Texas Medical Center. Texas Medical Center administers parking and their rates determined by availability and location of garage or parking lots.

  To help encourage alternative transportation methods to get in to the Texas Medical Center, there are several commuting programs to participate in. Whether you take METRO rail, bus or vanpool/carpool or The Woodlands Express service, there are great alternatives to driving in to the Texas Medical Center. Below are incentives to encourage alternative transportation:

  • Shuttle Services – a service that allows employees to ride UTHealth Houston Shuttle buses throughout the medical center.
  • Metro Van Pool – program that METRO offers a subsidy per month in the form of a voucher to METRO van participants.
  • NuRide – An online community where you can save money and earn rewards when you carpool, vanpool, bike, walk, telecommute or take public transit
• Recognition Programs

  Everyone likes to be recognized for a job well done and UTHealth Houston takes the time to do just that. Some of the ways we show appreciation is through various employee, peer and supervisor nominated awards, Employee Service Awards and President’s Awards for Leadership.

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

  A program to assist all employees including members of the faculty, immediate family members, trainees and retirees with personal and work-related stresses and issues. Services are free and available to all benefits-eligible faculty, staff, residents and fellows and their immediate families. All of our services are strictly confidential and there is no charge to you or your family members to utilize these services.

• Health and Wellness Programs

  UTHealth Houston has a university-wide wellness initiative created to support each student, staff and faculty member in his or her journey on the road to good health. Various programs help support this initiative, including, but not limited to:

  • Physical Activity Challenges
  • Health screenings/assessments
  • Wellness and Nutrition counseling
  • Employee Fitness Center
  • Access to services like Provant Health Solutions
  • Lactation/Quiet Rooms