Revised 8/1/2010
BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC
Benefits Outline 2010/11
Full-Time Faculty and Staff (including directors and chairs)
Part-Time Staff working 910+ hours/yr
This Outline is a summary of benefits provisions and eligibility requirements, and does not contain all details about the plans and programs. Details are found in the appropriate plan documents and—for faculty members—in the 2009 - 2010 Faculty Contract Agreement. If there are discrepancies between the plan documents (or Faculty Contract Agreement) and this Outline, the plan documents (or Faculty Contract Agreement)will control. If you have questions about your benefits visit or contact the Office of Human Resources.
Health Insurance
You are eligible to enroll in one of three plans with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Berklee subsidizes the cost of coverage by paying 65% of the premium, while you pay the remainder through pre-taxpayroll deductions via Berklee’s Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
For details on covered healthcare services; information on in-network doctors/hospitals/healthcare providers; and assistance choosing a primary care physician for the HMO plan, contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts member services at 800-358-2227.
Massachusetts Health Insurance Mandate
Effective July 1, 2007, Massachusetts law requires that almost all Massachusetts residents age 18 and older have health insurance. This is known as the “Individual Mandate.”
If you do NOT want to enroll in a Berklee health insurance plan you:
- MUST complete an Employee Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure form. This is located on your new-hire benefits orientation CD, and, also, is available from the Berklee Office of Human Resources.
- MAY be subject to state-imposed tax penalties if you are subject to the Individual Mandate, but do not have health insurance.
Dental Insurance
You are eligible to enroll in one of three plans with Delta Dental. Berklee subsidizes the cost of coverage by paying 65% of the premium, while you pay the remainder through pre-taxpayroll deductions via Berklee’s Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
For details on covered dental care services contact Delta Dental of Massachusetts member services at 800-872-0500.
Health and Dental Insurance
- Enrollment deadline: 30 days after hire date. If you miss this date, the next opportunity to join a plan will be at the open enrollment held each Spring.
- Coverage becomes effective: the first of the month following the hire date
- Changing plans: permitted during the annual Open Enrollment period held each Spring and when a qualifying life event (“QLE”) (as defined by the IRS) occurs. QLEs include such events as a change in marital status, the birth or adoption of a child, and loss of a family member’s eligibility for coverage under another employer’s plan.
Medical & Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
You are eligible to participate in the reimbursement account programs. Administered by Crosby Benefits Systems, this flexible benefit plan allows you to contribute pre-tax payroll deductions to a medical reimbursement account and/or a dependent care reimbursement account via Berklee’s Section 125 Cafeteria Plan.
Medical Reimbursement Account Contribution:
Maximum: choose any amount up to $5,000 per year.
Dependent Care Account Contribution:
Maximum: choose any amount up to $5,000 per year. (A lower limit may apply if your spouse also has an account at his/her place of work.)
You may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by your medical plan (e.g., co-payments for office visits, pharmacy co-payments etc.). Claim forms to request reimbursement are available from the Office of Human Resources.
Enrollment deadline: 30 days after hire date. If you miss this date, the next opportunity enroll will be during the Open Enrollment period.
Annual Re-enrollment Required: In order to participate in this plan from year to year, youmust re-enroll during the annual Open Enrollment period.
Use-it-or-Lose–it: any monies not used by the end of the plan year will be lost. For further information, contact the Director of Employee Benefits.
Life Insurance
Basic Employee Coverage
Full-time faculty and staff: Berklee provides term life insurance coverage equal to your annual salary rounded up to next thousand dollars (the amount does not include any compensation for summer employment). Accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D) is included with this benefit. Berklee pays the entire cost of this life insurance and AD&D coverage.
Part-time staff: Berklee provides basic life insurance coverage equal to $25,000. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage (AD&D) is included with this benefit. Berklee pays the entire cost of this life insurance and AD&D coverage.
Optional Supplemental Employee Coverage
Full-time faculty and staff have the option to purchase additional term life insurance and AD&D coverage in amount equal to 1x, 2x, or 3x annual salary, up to $200,000 of Optional Supplementalcoverage.
Part-time staffhave the option to purchase additional life insurance and AD&D coverage in $10,000 increments, up to $50,000 of Optional Supplementalcoverage.
Optional Coverage for Spouse/Children
Faculty and staff members may purchase term life insurance and AD&D (spouse only) for their spouses and children.
Cost of Optional Coverage
You pay the cost of optional coverage through post-taxpayroll deductions. The cost of optional coverage is based on your age. For cost information visit or contact the Office of Human Resources.
Enrollment deadline: 30 days after hire date for guaranteed enrollment. If you miss this date, your (or your spouse) may be required to take a physical at your expense, and risk being turned down for coverage.
Coverage becomes effective: the first of the month following the hire date, or upon approval from the insurance company, if later.
Short- Term Disability Insurance
Berklee provides you with short-term disability insurance. Berklee pays the entire cost of this coverage.
This insurance provides continuation of full salary and benefits during the first 90 days of a non-worked-related disability. Staff members must use PTO to cover the first 5 days of disability.
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Berklee provides you with long-term disability insurance. Berklee pays the entire cost of this coverage.
This insurance provides continuation of up to 66 2/3% of salary (up to 50% of salary for part-time staff) after 90 days of a non-worked-related disability. Payment of the benefit continues as long as you are certified as fully disabled, and, generally, ends at age 65.
Retirement Plan—Defined Benefit
The retirement plan provides a lifetime pension benefit based on Berklee salary and work history. Partial vesting (or ownership of the benefit) begins after three years of service; full vesting is attained after seven years. Berklee pays the entire cost of this plan and makes all investment decisions.
403(b) Retirement Investment Plan—voluntary matching plan
You may contribute to this plan to help build your retirement nest egg. Berklee contributes matching contributions. You are always fully vested in (or fully own) all monies in your account.
Berklee matching contributions
- full-time: dollar-for-dollar up to 3% of pay;
- part-time: half of employee contributions, with a maximum match of 5% of pay.
You decide how all contributions will be invested among accounts from TIAA-CREF and mutual funds made available through The Standard (formerly, Invesmart).
IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION
Federal tax law limits the amount of your voluntary, pre-tax contributions in any year to all employer-sponsored retirements plans such as 403(b), 401(k), and 457(b). This aggregate limit for 2010 is $16,500 ($22,000 if you are at least age 50). Also, the amount you may contribute to 403(b)may be affected by contributions to certain self-employed retirement plans.It is your responsibility—not Berklee’s— to ensure that you do not exceed contributions limits.
Commuting Program
For staff members, only (excluding directors): Berklee will pay $15 each month toward the cost of an MBTA transit pass for you. To receive this subsidy you must purchase your MBTA transit pass online through Crosby Benefits Systems. See below for instructions for contacting Crosby Benefits Systems.
For faculty and staff members (including directors): You may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for your commuting expenses (parking and/or mass transit).
Monthly pre-tax maximum for commuter parking: $230
Monthly pre-tax* maximum for mass transit (T-pass): $230 ($215 for staff who enroll with Crosby Benefits Systems and receive the $15 MBTA transit pass subsidy) (* federal taxmaximum is $230; Massachusetts tax maximum is $120)
If your commuting costs exceed the pre-tax maximum, you may set aside additional post-tax dollars to pay the balance.
The amount you set aside may be used
- to reimburse you for your out-of-pocket parking expense;
- to pay your parking provider directly or purchase your transit pass directly from the MBTA.
Commuting expenses means the cost of travel from home to Berklee. The costs associated with traveling to off-campus Berklee-related business events and meetings are not covered by this plan, and, instead, may be covered as business travel expenses.
This program is managed for the college by Crosby Benefits Systems.
Professional Development/Tuition Benefits
Faculty
Berklee Courses
After five years of full-time service, you are eligible for 100% reduction in Berklee tuition costs for up to two courses per term, subject to space availability. Private lessons are excluded. Tuition is pro-rated during the first fours years of employment.
Other Development Opportunities
Programs, funds, and other opportunities are available to assist in your professional development. These items include grants, fellowships, leaves of absence, and access to technology training and recording facilities. Contact the Office of Academic Affairs for more information.
Staff
Berklee Courses/ProArts Consortium Courses—Tuition Waiver
After six months of full-time service, staff members are eligible for 100% reduction in tuition costs for one course per term at Berklee or at other institutions in the ProArts consortium, subject to space availability. Private lessons, labs, and ensembles are excluded. Use of this benefit is subject to supervisor approval and may be restricted by due to class/office time.
Institutions in the ProArts consortium are:
Berklee College of MusicThe Boston Architectural College
The Boston ConservatoryEmerson College
Massachusetts College of ArtSchool of the Museum of Fine Arts
For more information contact the Office of Human Resources and visit
Other Courses—Tuition Assistance
After six months of full-time service, staff members are eligible for reimbursement under Berklee's Tuition Asisstance Program. Reimbursement of 75% of tuition expenses is available for job-related course work at accredited colleges and universities.
Annual reimbursement maximum of $2,500 is available per individual during each of during the first three years of service.
Annual reimbursement maximum of $4,000 is available per individual after three full years of service.
For more information contact the Office of Human Resources.
Faculty and Staff
Family Tuition Reimbursement
After five years of full-time service, your spouses or children will be eligible for 100% reduction in Berklee tuition costs per semester (excluding room, board, and other related fees or costs). The student must have applied for, and been accepted as a full-time student at Berklee. Tuition is pro-rated during the first fours years of a faculty member’s service.
Paid Time Off—Staff and Directors, only
You are eligible to earn Paid Time Off (PTO). The purpose of PTO is to provide you with paid time for vacation, illness, and to take care of personal business.
Upon hire, you are granted three days of PTO. In addition, you earn PTO as outlined below. (Part-time staff members’ PTO accrual is prorated.)
You may earn up to a maximum of 30 days of PTO. Unused PTO may be carried over from one calendar year to the next.
PTO is earned and administered in hours based on a 7-hour workday for eligible full time employees. Hourly-paid eligible employees accrue PTO for eligible hours they are paid, but no more than provided by the rates outlined below.
Although PTO is earned in hours each pay period, it is expressed below in days for your convenience.
Full-time Staff / PTO Accrued per Year
Directors
Less than one / 12 days / 21days
1 through 4 / 21days / 24days
5 through 9 / 24days / 30days
10 + / 30days / 30 days
The rate at which PTO is accrued becomes effective on the first of the month following the applicable service anniversary dates. Anniversary dates are calculated from the most recent date of hire.
Employee Assistance Program
Faculty and staff members are eligible for Berklee College of Music Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Most of us have to face change, stress, or a life-altering problem now and then. The college’s EAP is designed to provide several services for you and your family, such as short-term counseling,legal advice, and financial counseling.
For more information call 1-800-828-6025 or by visit The EAP is strictly confidential, as mandated by law.
Credit Union
The University Credit Union is available for checking and savings accounts, payroll deductions, personal unsecured loans, and other financial services. For more information visit
MetLife Auto and Home Insurance Discounts
Faculty and staff members are eligible for the Metlife Auto and Home discount program. Metlife offers special group rates, a variety of policy discounts, and convenient payment options.
For more information please call 1-800-GET-Met-8 (1-800-438-6388).
Other Discounts
Discounted access to consumer banking products and services, and to cultural/entertainment institutions and events are available.
See faculty staff newsat berklee.net or contact the Office of Human Resources for details.
Discounted movie tickets for major cinema chains are available at the Berklee Performance Center Box.
A 10% discount is available on any merchandise (excluding textbooks and workbooks) at the Berklee Bookstore.
Complimentary or discounted passes are available from the Office of Human Resources for:
- Children's Museum
- Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA)
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Museum of Science
- New England Aquarium
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