Benefits > Summary |
updated 1/1/09

The following information represents a brief summary of each benefit program available at Middle Tennessee State University and does not supersede provisions contained in each plan document. For additional information refer to the appropriate plan document or to the specific Tennessee Board of Regents and/or MTSU policy.

1. Social Security
Participation in social security is required. FICA tax has two components: (1) Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (0ASDI), and (2) Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI). For 2009, the OASDI employee contribution rate is 6.2%, and the OASDI wage base is $106,800. The HI employee contribution rate is 1.45%, and there is no limit on the amount of wages subject to Medicare taxes in 2006. MTSU matches the employee contributions for social security dollar for dollar.

2. Retirement
Participation in either the state retirement plan or the optional retirement plan is mandatory. Both of these plans are non-contributory for the employee.

The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) is a defined benefit plan. It provides for retirement at age 60 with 5 years of service or 30 years of service. There is a 5-year vesting requirement. After five years of employment, there are provisions for a disability retirement. The State pays 13.02% of earnings in your behalf.

Available to faculty and administrative employees only, the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a defined contribution plan. Employees who select the ORP have the flexibility of investing in either one, two, or three companies. The three participating companies are TIAA-CREF, ING, and AIG/VALIC. All contributions are immediately vested, and the State pays the total retirement contribution which is 10% of gross earnings on that portion of salary covered by OASDI and 11% of gross earnings not covered by OASDI.

3. Group Insurance Plan
This plan is provided for employees of the State of Tennessee and includes term life insurance, basic special accident insurance, and medical/hospitalization coverage. The life and accident insurance is handled by Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company, Chicago, Illinois. The medical care portion is self-insured by the State, and several medical plans are available.

The Blue Preferred (PPO-Preferred Provider Organization) medical plan is administered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield and is a comprehensive medical and hospitalization program. This plan has a six-month pre-existing condition clause.***

The second medical plan, a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) is administered by CIGNA Healthcare of Tennessee. Employees who elect to participate in an HMO agree to use the HMO doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies. In-patient medical and hospital care is provided at a $100 co-payment. Under the HMO Plan, subscribers are required to pay a $15 co-pay for an office visit, $20 co-pay for specialist, $50 for emergency room treatment, $5 for generic drugs, $20 for preferred brand name drugs, and $40 for non-preferred brand name drugs.  Special benefits apply to mental health care and physical and speech therapy. HMO's do not have a pre-existing condition clause, and there are no deductibles.

The third medical plan is the Point of Service (POS) medical plan. It operates like an HMO with one added feature -- you have the option of receiving care outside the POS network at a reduced benefit level and no referrals or PCP Selections are required. The POS plan is administered by CIGNA Healthcare of Tennessee. This plan has a six-month pre-existing condition clause.***

*** Any employee who provides certification of medical coverage that was in effect within 63 days of their employment with MTSU will not be subject to the pre-existing condition clauses under the PPO and POS health programs.

The premium for the Group Insurance Plan is based on salary. The employee pays approximately 20 percent of the cost, and MTSU pays the balance.  For more information go to www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/premium.html

4. Optional Special Accident
This plan provides an additional amount of accidental death or dismemberment coverage. Participation is optional, and the employee pays the total premium. The amount of coverage available is based on salary.  For more information go to www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/premium.html

5. Disability Insurance
Faculty members and administrators have the option of enrolling in the ITT Hartford Disability plan. This Long Term Disability plan is designed to provide a monthly benefit if a subscriber becomes disabled. Both the premium and monthly benefit are based on salary. After a waiting period, this plan pays a monthly benefit for as long as the disability continues. This plan is only offered to faculty and administrators and three plan levels are available.

Support staff have the option of enrolling in an ITT Hartford Long Term Disability plan. This plan is designed to provide a monthly benefit if a subscriber becomes disabled. The premiums are based on age and monthly salary. Benefits are based on salary. After a waiting period, this plan pays benefits until age 65. There are three levels of coverage available.

6. Optional Life Insurance
This program includes both a universal life plan and a term life plan. All regular full-time employees are eligible to participate. This coverage can be elected without answering health questions if application is made within thirty days of employment. The administrator for this insurance is Unum Provident.

7. State Dental Insurance
Two dental plans are offered. Assurant offers Prepaid Plan and Delta Offers the Preferred Dental Organization Plan (PDO). Participation in the dental plans is available to all regular full-time employees. This coverage can be elected when first employed or during any annual open enrollment. For more information go to www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/dental.html


8. Flexible Benefits
This program allows certain expenses to be paid from pre-tax rather than after-tax income as authorized under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code.

9. Family Medical Leave Act
 The Family Medical Leave Act requires MTSU to
provide up to twelve (12) weeks of job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons.

10. American Family Life Assurance Company
This company offers Cancer Insurance and Intensive Care Insurance through payroll deduction of premiums. Each is available on an individual or family basis and has open enrollment. MTSU does not participate in payment of the premium.

11. U. S. Savings Bonds
Bonds can be purchased through payroll deduction by completing the necessary enrollment forms.

12. Tax Sheltered Annuities
Currently there are three companies approved for payroll deduction of tax sheltered annuities as provided for in Section 403 (b) of the IRS Code. Those companies are TIAA-CREF, ING, and VALIC. In addition to the 403(b) plan, 401(k) traditional, 401(k) Roth, and 457 plans are also offered.

13. Cornerstone Financial Credit Union
MTSU has a payroll deduction arrangement with the Cornerstone Financial Credit Union. The full-service Murfreesboro office offers savings plans, small signature loans, new car financing, home improvement loans, and many other Credit Union Services.

14. Holidays
MTSU will observe 13 holidays per year. The following days are designated as official holidays:

New Year's Day
Dr. Martin Luther King Day
University Holiday-Friday of Spring Break
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

In addition to the above named holidays, the President will declare five (5) additional holidays to be observed by MTSU to make a total of thirteen (13). Such discretionary holidays will be announced by the Human Resources Office. When a holiday falls on Saturday, the Friday preceding will be substituted. When a holiday falls on Sunday, the Monday following will be substituted.

Only employees who are in an active pay status on the workdays immediately preceding and following a holiday will receive payments for the holiday.

15. Annual Leave
Annual leave for administrators is earned at the rate of 15 hours (2 days) per month. The maximum accumulation is 315 hours (42 days). Faculty members do not earn annual leave.

Annual leave for support staff is earned initially at the rate of 7.5 hours (1 day) per month. At the 7.5 hour rate, the maximum accumulation is 225 hours (30 days).

16. Sick Leave
Sick leave for administrators and support staff is earned at the rate of 7.5 hours (1 day) per month. Faculty members earn 67.5 hours (9 days) of sick leave for full-time employment for a full academic year and 22.5 hours (3 days) of sick leave for full-time employment during the summer sessions. Administrators, faculty and support staff can accumulate an unlimited amount of sick leave.

17. Faculty Sick Leave Bank
The Faculty Sick Leave Bank was established to provide emergency sick leave for faculty members who have exhausted their personal sick leave. Each year enrollment is conducted during the month of October. In order to become a member of the bank, faculty members are required to donate two (2) days of their personal sick leave.

18. Non-faculty Sick Leave Bank
The Non-faculty Sick Leave Bank was established to provide emergency sick leave for administrative and support employees who have exhausted their personal sick and annual leave. Each year enrollment is conducted during the month of October. In order to become a member of the bank, employees are required to donate two (2) days of their personal sick leave.

19. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
A short-term counseling service through Magellan Health Services is available to all employees and their immediate family members. The EAP is also coordinated with the mental health and substance abuse program available through the PPO and POS health insurance programs. See literature available in Human Resources or link above for more details. You may also contact Magellan Health Services at 1-800-308-4934.

20. Direct Deposit
Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new hires effective July 1,1997. MTSU is able to direct deposit to any financial institution. Click here for a Direct Deposit form.

21. State Park Discounts
State employees are offered discounts at State parks and recreation areas. Contact the State Park office at 615-532-0001 for additional information.

22. Charitable Contributions
MTSU Offers payroll deductions for charitable
organizations.

23. Miscellaneous
Contact the Human Resource Services Office for additional information regarding educational assistance programs, including the Fee Waiver program for employees and the Tuition Discount program for dependents of employees. Employees are eligible to purchase season athletic tickets at discounted rates, and the bookstore allows a 20% discount to employees.

24. BEST
Baccalaureate Education System Trust - is a benefit program that allows employees to have a deduction in payroll to go into a trust fund on behalf of their children or grandchildren toward future college tuition expenses. This prepaid tuition program is available to all regular employees.

25.  Long Term Care
Effective July 1, 2003, the State of Tennessee began offering Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) for employees, retirees and eligible family members (spouse, parents, parents-in-law and dependent children 18 to 24).  The LTC plan is provided through MedAmerica Insurance Company, headquartered in Rochester, New York. For more information go to http://www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/ltc.html