A number of programs and resources are available benefit-eligible faculty and staff to support their health and well-being and help plan for retirement. Benefits and retirement programs are coordinated and shared across the University of Missouri System, though some options may differ depending on where you live or work.
Benefits provide important financial protection when you need it most. Medical, prescription, dental and vision insurance form the foundation of the health care programs offered to faculty, staff and retirees. All programs offer qualified preventive care for free. Learn more about each of the following benefits offered to employees of the University of Missouri System.
- Health programs (medical, dental and vision insurance and more)
- Health Spending Account (HSA) (tax-favored account for health expenses)
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) (two types of tax-favored account for health care or dependent care expenses)
- Disability and life insurance (includes life, long term disability and accidental death and dismemberment)
Enrolling in University Insurance
Think of your insurance as a tool to protect your health as much as you think of it when treating health conditions. Check out the following resources to help choose the plans that are right for you:
- Enrolling in benefits for the first time
- Making changes when you already have insurance
- Researching your insurance options
Insurance in Retirement
Eligible faculty and staff retiring or who have retired from the university have access to insurance options during retirement. Insurance options are available for both eligible retirees and their covered dependents, but eligibility and subsidy criteria depend on several factors.
For example, Medicare eligibility determines eligibility for some plan options—meaning you are eligible for the plan option only if you are eligible for Medicare (65+) or not yet Medicare-eligible (pre-65).
For more information on the plan options and eligibility criteria, visit the UM System retiree benefits overview webpage.
The university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential, professional service for employees, their dependents and organizational work units.
Whether you have a personal professional challenge, the EAP is available to provide and connect to services to help employees influenced by a range of stressors.
Visit the UM System Employee Assistance Program webpage for information on scheduling and other work-life resources.
All employees are able to participate in retirement plans through the university, though the options available vary based on benefits eligibility and hire status.
Benefit-eligible employees can have one of three core retirement plans: the DC Plan, the Hybrid Plan and the DB Plan. Visit the UM System Core and Voluntary Retirement Plan webpage to determine your core plan. Benefit-eligible employees may also choose to participate in the University’s voluntary plans.
All UM System faculty and staff, regardless of hours or benefit eligibility, can participate in the Voluntary Retirement Plans. To learn more about available plans, visit the UM System Core and Voluntary Retirement Plan webpage.
Retiring from the University
It’s never too early or too late to start preparing for retirement. Consider attending one of the UM System live or on-demand retirement seminars, or consult the retirement planning checklist to help make sure your planning efforts are on track.
When it’s time to retire, the steps for getting started vary depending on which retirement plan applies to you. Visit the UM System retirement planning checklist for instructions based on your retirement plan.
As part of the university's efforts to support, value and empower employees, benefit-eligible faculty and staff, as well as their spouses or dependents, may be eligible to receive tuition assistance for any of the universities within the UM System.
To access the request form and for more information, visit the UM System Tuition Assistance webpage.
Please note, tuition assistance benefits may be taxable and failure to submit a completed form by the deadline will result in no tuition assistance being applied.
The federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your federal Direct Loans after you have made 120 (10 years) qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while also working full-time for a qualifying employer.
Additional information, including instructions on how to submit a completed form for employment certification can be found on the UM System Employee and Labor Relations Support Resources webpage.