Retirement
Employees must select one of the three available plans:
- State University System Optional Retirement Program (SUSORP): Available to exempt (salaried) law enforcement employees only; Special Risk provisions do not apply to this plan. A defined-contribution plan where the benefit depends on the amount of money contributed to the employee’s account and its growth over time. Employee contribution is mandatory at 3%, and employer matching is 5.14%. Employees must contact a SUSORP investment provider to execute a contract and submit an ORP Enrollment Form to UF Benefits within 90 days from hire to participate in this plan.
- Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan: A defined-benefit plan that pays a guaranteed lifetime monthly benefit based on years of service and highest salary while working for an FRS-covered employer. Employee contribution is mandatory at 3%. Vested Pension Plan participants who reach their normal retirement date or full years of service may take advantage of the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP).
- Florida Retirement System (FRS) Investment Plan: A defined-contribution plan where the benefit depends on the amount of money contributed to employee’s account and its growth over time. Employee contribution is mandatory at 3%, and employer matching is 8.3%. Employees will default to this plan after eight months from hire if no election is made.
Employees may choose to enroll in these plans to supplement their retirement:
- Fidelity Voluntary 403(b) Plans:
Retirement savings plans intended to supplement retirement income from a state plan or to act as stand-alone plans. Tax-deferred and post-tax Roth options are available, and contributions may be modified at will by contacting Fidelity Investments. These plans have an annual IRS contribution limit, have no employer contribution, and are open to all employees.
- State of Florida Voluntary SUSORP Contributions (Tax-Deferred 403(b) Plan):
As part of the SUSORP only, participants may choose to contribute up to 5.14% of their gross earnings to a tax-deferred 403(b) plan managed by their SUSORP investment provider of choice. Contributions fall within the same annual IRS limit as the other 403(b) plans and may be modified at will by submitting an ORP Change Form to UF Benefits. Funds are taxed as income when withdrawn from the plan, and there is no employer contribution.
Medical Plans
State of Florida (Pre-Tax)
The state offers a range of medical insurance benefits to eligible State of Florida employees and retirees. Part-time employees are eligible but will pay an increased premium based on their full-time equivalency (FTE).
- Standard and High Deductible PPO plans are provided by Florida Blue.
- Standard and High Deductible HMO plan providers vary by region. Aetna provides service for Alachua County.
- Optum Rx is the pharmacy manager for all state plans.
GatorCare
Employees are eligible for GatorCare plans only when covering a domestic partner and working 20 hours per week or more (.50 FTE).
Dental Plans
Before enrolling in a dental plan, it is essential to understand the coverage details and provider network. Dental coverage and costs can vary significantly between plans, and many have waiting periods before more advanced treatments or orthodontia services will be covered. Please review these dental plans carefully and choose the one that best suits your upcoming needs.
Confirm your coverage and payment responsibilities with your dentist or dental company before treatment to avoid unexpected expenses. For assistance, contact the respective plan administrators.
State of Florida (Pre-Tax)
The state offers various dental insurance plans, including Prepaid (DHMO), Standard PPO, and Indemnity PPO options, to both full-time and part-time employees.
UFSelect Eagles Direct Reimbursement Plan (Post-Tax)
The University of Florida offers the Eagles Direct Reimbursement Dental Plan to employees who work 20 hours per week or more (.50 FTE). Eagles Dental is not a dental insurance plan and does not provide pre-negotiated cost reductions, simply reimbursement for expenses. It is available for use at all dental offices and may be chosen as stand-alone coverage or in addition to a state plan to cover costs beyond the insurance’s maximum annual benefit.
Vision Plans
For each vision plan chosen, employees may select coverage for either glasses or contacts. Employees may enroll in both plans to use one for contacts and the other for glasses.
State of Florida (Pre-Tax)
The state offers vision insurance through Humana to both full-time and part-time employees.
UFSelect (Post-Tax)
The University of Florida offers UFSelect Humana vision insurance to employees who work 20 hours per week or more (.50 FTE). Costs and benefits are similar to the state plan.
Life and Disability Plans
State of Florida
The state pays for basic term life insurance for full-time employees. Part-time employees are eligible but will pay a partial premium based on their FTE. The state also offers optional short-term disability insurance and supplementary optional term life insurance to both full-time and part-time employees.
UFSelect
UFSelect benefits are available to employees who work 20 hours per week or more (.50 FTE). Plans include optional term life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
Other Supplemental Plans
State of Florida (Pre-Tax)
The state offers full-time and part-time employees the opportunity to enroll in supplemental health plans, including accident insurance, cancer insurance, hospitalization insurance, and more.
UFSelect Preferred Legal Plan (Post-Tax)
For employees who work 20 hours per week or more (.50 FTE), UFSelect offers a legal plan that provides low-cost access to comprehensive legal assistance, advice, and services for the employee and their household. Some services include identity theft protection and restoration, credit repair, legal document review, will drafting, and dispute resolution.
Savings and Spending Accounts (FSA/HSA)
The state offers eligible full-time and part-time employees reimbursement accounts that can provide a tax break on predictable out-of-pocket costs.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Contribute pre-tax money on each paycheck for eligible expenses. Healthcare and dependent care FSAs are available with different annual maximums and rollover amounts.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): Available only to members of a high-deductible health plan. The state contributes pre-tax money to an employee’s account on each paycheck. Employee pre-tax contributions are optional. All funds will roll over from year to year and remain available even after the end of employment.
Time Away
UF provides a generous variety of leave programs based on an employee’s salary plan as well as eleven paid holidays per year for eligible leave-accruing employees.
To Enroll
For enrollment walkthrough guides, visit Benefits Enrollment.
State of Florida Plans
- To Enroll: Log into your State of Florida People First account using your People First user ID and password. Your People First ID is available in myUFL at: Main Menu > My Self Service > Benefits > PFID & Beneficiary Info.
- For Assistance: Contact the People First Service Center at (866) 663-4735.
UFSelect and GatorCare Plans