Health – Governors State University believes that the health and wellness of its employees and their families is a priority, and offers a range of group health insurance plans and program options through the State of Illinois, to fit their personal needs. Links:Plan Administrators and websites select "State Employees Group Insurance Program (SEGIP)". For more information, please contact MyBenefits Service Center at 1-844-251-1777.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Services are a component of the health plan in which the member is enrolled. Covered employees also have 24-hour support and access at 1-833-955-3400; www.guidanceresources.com, member 'State of Illinois'.
Dental – Employees who are eligible for insurance through GSU are entitled to two teeth cleanings per year plus additional dental health benefits. Read more about Dental Coverage. To find out more about the dental provider, visit www.deltadental.com or call 1-800-323-1743.
Vision – One eye exam and spectacle lenses are offered once every 12 months to covered employees and their dependents. Standard frames are offered once every 24 months. Contacts are offered every 12 months. If employees select health and dental, vision coverage is free as a benefit. EyeMed 866 723-0512.
Life Insurance- Status employees working 50% time or above are entitled to their annual salary in life insurance for free. Employees may choose 2-8x their annual salary at a nominal cost. Changes can be made any time throughout the year.
To make changes to your life insurance go to mybenefits.illinois.gov. To update your beneficiary, go to metlife.com/stateofillinois or call 800-880-6394.
Flexible Spending Accounts – Employees may save pre-tax for purposes of medical expenses through the Medical Care Assistance Program (MCAP) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP). Go to MyBenefits.illinois.gov for more information.
Employee Tuition Waiver – Permanent status employees who wish to take courses at Governors State University may enroll in two (2) courses or up to six (6) credit hours, whichever is greater. Civil Service employees may enroll for credit courses at any state public university. Civil Service employees who enroll in courses at state universities in Illinois outside the university, the credit hour maxima and fees to be waived will be determined by the institution in which such employee enrolls. Contact HR@govst.edu for more information.
Dependent Tuition Waiver – In accordance with Public Act 90-0282 tuition waivers for undergraduate education at Illinois public universities shall be made available to eligible children of employees of the public universities who have 7 or more full years of total university employment. Dependents under the age of 25 of eligible employees shall receive a fifty percent (50%) reduction of the tuition for undergraduate education at any Illinois state university named in the Act for a period not to exceed four years. The schools include: University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, and Western Illinois University. Contact HR@govst.edu for more information.
Bright Start College Savings Plan – Employees may save for college via payroll deduction. Employees may write off a portion of the Illinois tax when filing taxes at the end of the year. Contact Benefits@govst.edu for more information.
SURS Retirement – The State Universities Retirement System (SURS) current pension rules require that all eligible employees, with the exception of sworn police officers, must contribute 8% of their gross income. Police officers contribute 9.5% of their gross income. Contact SURS at: www.surs.org or 1-800 275-7877.
403b Voluntary Retirement Accounts – Under IRS rules and regulations, Employees under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000 in 2024 for pre-tax retirement savings. Employees turning 50 in 2024 or over age 50 may contribute up to $30,500 in 2024 for pre-tax retirement savings.
Governors State University’s Board of Trustees has approved four vendors to do business for voluntary retirement savings. They are TIAA-CREF, Corebridge Financial (formerly VALIC/AIG), Fidelity, and The Legend Group. Employees may contact the approved vendors directly to open an account. After the account is open, members must complete a Salary Reduction Agreement to start payroll deductions and send to Benefits@govst.edu.
457b Deferred Compensation plans - Under IRS rules and regulations, Employees under age 50 may contribute up to $23,000 in 2024 for pre- or post-tax retirement savings. Under the Catch-up Provision of the IRS regulations, employees age 50 or over may contribute up to $30,500 in 2024 for pre- or post-tax retirement savings. Those approved for a special catch-up provision within 3 years of retirement may contribute up to $46,000 in 2024. To enroll in the State of Illinois Deferred Compensation Plan go to myillinoisdcplan.com or call 833-969-4532. To enroll in the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan go to www.surs.org or call 800-613-9543.
Disability SURS - After 2 years of service in SURS, employees are entitled to apply for SURS Disability after exhausting all sick and vacation time, and the employee has been off of work for 60 days. If approved, SURS Disability pays up to 50% of the two year SURS salary looking back for an average of two years. www.surs.org
Long Term Disability –Status employees may choose this voluntary benefit through Prudential Insurance. This benefit pays up to 66.67% of the employee salary up to age 65 if less than two years of service, or an additional 16.67% if an employee is awarded SURS Disability, for a total of 66.67%. Contact Benefits@govst.edu to enroll.
Holidays – Holidays recognized by the Board shall be New Year’s Day, day before or day after New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and day before or day after Christmas Day.
Employees covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement shall be granted paid holidays in accordance with the express terms of that agreement.
Family Medical Leave Act – Allows employees to be off of work for up to twelve weeks in a year for their own serious medical condition, to care for a spouse, child, or parent. It also allows employees to care for injured military members or their dependents for up to 26 weeks. Employees must contact Benefits@govst.edu to request a leave.
VESSA – Protects victims of violence and allows up to twelve weeks off of work in a year for employees who are victims of abuse and violent crimes.
Military Duty – An employee who is a member of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or of any reserve component of the Illinois National Guard shall be granted leave for any period actively spent in such military service, including: (i) basic training (ii) special or advanced training, whether or not within the State and whether or not voluntary; and (iii) annual training. Benefits during Military leave: The employee’s seniority and other benefits shall continue to accrue.