Exceptional Benefits for University of Kentucky Staff
The University of Kentucky is proud to offer a benefits package that helps us recruit and retain the very best faculty and staff. In addition to your take-home pay, your benefits package is a major component of your total compensation at UK. These benefits include our 200 percent match on eligible retirement contributions; competitive health, dental, and vision coverage; tuition benefits for classes at UK, and much more.
In fact, our focus on benefits and overall employee well-being helped us earn recognition as a Great College to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education for five consecutive years. UK was also recently ranked No. 6 on the 2023 list of America's Best Employers by Forbes.
For a more complete listing of UK's benefits and eligibility, visit the Benefits home page. Or, you can view a printer-friendly version of UK's exceptional benefits for staff and exceptional benefits for faculty.
Matching Retirement Savings Plan
Retirement savings are an important part of your total compensation package and help ensure a more financially secure future. Under our matching retirement plan, you contribute 5% of your base salary, and UK proudly contributes an amount equal to 10% of your salary, for a 200% match. You are automatically enrolled in this plan when reaching age 25.
Insurance options to meet your unique needs
Health insurance
UK offers three health insurance plans to choose from, based on what is important to you and your family:
Saver plan with HSA
UK-HMO
UK-PPO
Dental insurance
Dental plans are available through UK Dental Care and Delta Dental. All plans offer basic preventive cleanings and two office visits per year.
Vision insurance
Vision insurance is available through EyeMed. You can choose the Essential or Enhanced plan.
Mental health counseling
Receive individual counseling sessions with a licensed and certified therapist. Spouses, children and sponsored dependents are also eligible.
Prescription benefits
Express Scripts administers the prescription benefit for UK. If you are enrolled in a health insurance plan, you are automatically enrolled in the prescription benefit. Dedicated pharmacists are on staff to provide prescription co-pay counseling, helping you find the most cost-effective medications. Note: If you are on a UK HMO plan, you’ll use a UK Retail Pharmacy as your exclusive pharmacy provider.
Flexible spending accounts
This benefit allows you to pay for eligible health and child/dependent care expenses with tax-free dollars through a flexible spending account. For the health care FSA, you will receive a flexible spending debit card in the mail to use for eligible purchases.
Paid Leave
Regular, full-time staff initially accrue 10 to 15 vacation days per year, increasing up to 20 days per year the longer you work at UK. Regular, full-time staff also accrue 10 paid holidays annually. Special holidays may be granted. Regular, full-time staff accrue 12 days of Temporary Disability Leave, or sick leave, per year. We also offer regular staff working at least half-time four weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, and two weeks of paid leave to care for a parent.
Legal services benefit
MetLaw is a legal services benefit from MetLife. This plan allows you to enroll and gain access to more than 14,000 experienced attorneys nationwide, including more than 200 in Kentucky. These experts can provide advice and representation on wills, estate planning, contracts, family, financial matters and much more.
Education programs
Eligible staff may receive a tuition waiver for up to 18 credit hours per academic year taken at UK through the Employee Education Program. If you have at least one year of continuous, regular, full-time service and are not using the Employee Education Program, you may apply a tuition discount (10 to 50%) for your child or spouse/sponsored dependent through the Family Education Program.
Employee assisted housing
Eligible full-time staff may apply for a forgivable loan for down payment, closing costs and other assistance with housing purchases in designated areas.
Employee discounts
Employees receive discounts and other incentives from a wide array of businesses.
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Professional development
Improve your skills or learn new ones through on-demand, virtual or in-person courses in technology, professional development and leadership, plus opportunities through LinkedIn Learning.
Well-being resources
Physical activity
MoveWell fitness memberships offer access to several convenient, on-campus fitness centers. Classes like yoga, strength training, cardio and more are available live online, in person, or from our on-demand library. Personal training is also available.
Nutrition
Our in-house, registered dietitian can guide you no matter your nutrition needs. Free monthly seminars help you discover nutrition basics, achieve a more relaxed and enjoyable relationship with food, and find recipes that make nutritious cooking less of an obstacle.
Personal resilience
Receive one-on-one coaching to help you build a foundation for being your best. Classes and workshops focus on mindfulness, positive daily habits and dealing with stress. Tobacco cessation is also available, with free nicotine replacement.
Financial well-being
CAPTRUST financial advisors can help set you on the right path. You can also explore financial wellness education from Enrich and student loan forgiveness with Savi.
Elder care
Get resources and support when caring for an aging loved one, no matter where they live nationwide.
Parenting resources
In addition to helping find child care vendors, our Big Blue Family Care program makes it simple for UK families to connect with UK students for occasional, part-time child care needs. Classes and workshops help you navigate your parenting journey, and our Little Cats Guide provides information on preparing time away from work to welcome a new addition. Join the Working Parents network and connect with other working parents.