Faculty and Unclassified Staff Handbook
Chapter 6 -- Business Affairs: General Regulations, Services, and Procedures
Fringe Benefits
Athletic Activity Tickets
Athletic activity tickets are available for single or seasonal athletic events. Cost is variable based upon ticket option chosen. Contact the Athletic Department for current price information.
Group Health Insurance Coverage
Health Insurance - Participation in the health insurance program is voluntary. Employees who participate in the health insurance program will have medical and prescription drug coverage. Separate dental and/or vision coverage is also available.
Health Insurance Eligibility - An employee is eligible to participate in the health insurance plan the first day of the month following a 30-day waiting period provided enrollment in the plan is completed no later than 31 days after initial date of hire or benefits eligibility. It is the employee's responsibility to enroll in health insurance coverage in a timely manner by enrolling through the State Employee Health Membership portal. Untimely completion of the health insurance forms could result in denial of coverage, limited coverage, reduced plan options available and/or pay check adjustments.
Life/Disability Insurance
Basic Life Insurance
The Basic Life Insurance Plan equals 150 percent of employee's annual salary. The cost of the benefit is paid by Fort Hays State University. Coverage begins with first day of employment in a benefits eligible position. Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) administers the program.
Optional Group Life Insurance
Optional Group Life Insurance is coverage beyond the Basic Life Insurance. The employee pays the cost of this coverage. Benefits eligible employees may purchase from $5,000 to $300,000 in optional group life insurance coverage. New employees are eligible for initial $50,000 of guaranteed coverage without proof of good health within 30 days of employee's hire date. Premiums are automatically deducted through payroll deduction.
Information about spousal and dependent Optional Group Life Insurance is available at KPERS or contact the HR Office.
Coverage is available at any time during employment, subject to underwriting approval. The guaranteed coverage is available only when the application is received by the insurance company within 30 days from the employee's date of employment.
This coverage may be continued after retirement or resignation by converting the term policy to an individual life policy and paying the applicable premium directly to the insurance company.
Long term Disability
The State of Kansas and Fort Hays State University provide an employer paid Long Term Disability Insurance plan for employees covered by KPERS or KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan. Coverage begins with first day of employment in a benefits eligible position. Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) administers the program. The third party administrator is UnitedHealthcare Specialty Benefits, LLC.
There is a 180 day waiting period before a disability decision is made. If approved for long term disability, the employee receives 60% of their annual salary, payable in equal monthly installments. Minimum monthly benefit of $100 and maximum monthly benefit of $5,000. This income may be reduced by monies received from Workers' Compensation and/or the Social Security Administration.
Many of the features of the state of Kansas long-term disability plan are the same for both KPERS and KBOR participants, such as:
- Eligibility
- Duration of KPERS long-term disability coverage
- KPERS disability income benefit which is equal to 60 percent of the current salary on the date the disability occurred (monthly benefit minimum is $100 and maximum is $5,000)
- Requirement to apply for Social Security disability benefits and complete any appeal process
- Continuation of basic group life insurance coverage paid for by FHSU; optional group life insurance can continue with the employee paying the premium
Active KPERS participants who are approved for long-term disability benefits will continue to receive KPERS service credit and, after five years, the participant's final average salary will be recalculated.
Active KBOR participants who are approved for long-term disability benefits will receive the 60% KPERS long-term disability benefit. Employee contributions to the KBOR Mandatory Retirement plan will cease, but FHSU will make the entire 14% contribution to the Retirement Plan. Those employer contributions will cease at the earliest of:
- The date eligibility for KPERS long-term disability benefits ends, or
- The date that the participant dies, or
- Five years after the date that the participant became disabled and began receiving benefits under the KPERS long-term disability benefit program
Certain participants may qualify to receive the 14% employer contribution to the Retirement Plan after five years, based on length of participation in the KBOR Mandatory Retirement Plan. For more information see the KBOR long-term disability benefit information.
Social Security
All faculty and staff, except those who are exempt based on their visa status, are covered by the Federal Social Security Program which provides retirement, disability and death benefits. The Social Security deduction is comprised of two pay check deductions, OASDI and Medicare. The participation of individuals who are eligible is mandatory and a payroll deduction is made for the employee's contribution. The University provides a matching amount, under federal provisions, based upon wages earned.
Worker's Compensation
This program provides medical coverage and lost wage benefits for all staff members who may be accidentally injured while performing their assigned duties.