At Youngstown State University we are committed to a comprehensive employee benefit program that helps our employees live healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance. YSU offers two options for medical plans, optional dental and vision insurance and life insurance. These plans are reviewed annually to maintain competitiveness while being cost effective. In addition, YSU offers tuition remission, 403(b) and 457 retirement planning options, as well as state pension programs and optional voluntary life insurance benefits.
As a benefits eligible employee, you have the opportunity to elect the benefits package that fits you and your family’s needs. You will have thirty (30) days from your date of hire to review the information, make your decision, ask any questions and submit your forms to the Office of Human Resource/Benefits. Employee portions of the elected benefits will be effective on your date of hire and will be deducted through payroll deductions. Additional information and materials can be found on the HR website under the Benefits Tab.
To complete the enrollment process the following documents be must be completed within 30 days starting from your hire date. All documents must be submitted to the Benefits Secure Upload:
Following must be completed within your first 30 days:
Ο Enrollment Form ***
Ο Coordination of Benefits Form (If enrolling a Spouse)
Ο Life Insurance Form
Ο Life Beneficiary Form
Ο Health Savings Account form (If Elected)
Ο Flexible Spending Enrollment Form (If Elected)
Ο Retirement Election Form (must be submitted within first 120 days from hire date)
*** Employees who elect to enroll in any benefits must submit the following supporting documentation to be enrolled. Employees will have thirty (30) days from the date of hire to provide the necessary supporting documentation. Failure to submit the required supporting documentation, will result in the cancellation of the elected benefits from the effective date. Employees who have their benefits canceled will be required to wait until open enrollment or experience a Qualifying Event (QE) before gaining eligibility to enroll in YSU’s benefits.
Documentation to be Submitted:
| Employee | Enrollment form Only |
| Employee adding Spouse | Enrollment form, Marriage License and YSU Coordination of Benefits Form |
| Employee adding Child(ren) | Enrollment form and birth certificate of each child |
| Family | Enrollment form, Marriage License and YSU Coordination of Benefits form, birth certificate of each child. |
YSU offers two different medical plans through Medical Mutual of Ohio to suit the needs of our employees (CIGNA for employees who reside outside of Ohio). Below provides a brief overview of the plans . A summary plan description for each of the plans are located below for your review.
As a condition of eligibility for coverage under the University’s group medical and/or prescription drug plan(s) if an employee’s spouse is eligible for group medical and/or prescription drug coverage sponsored, maintained and/or provided by the spouse’s current employer, former employer (for retirees) or business for self-employed individuals (other than sole proprietors) (collectively or individually, “Employer Coverage”), the spouse must enroll for at least single coverage in his/her Employer Coverage unless he/she is entitled to Medicare. The coordination of benefits must be submitted with your enrollment form in order for elections are processed.
ACE/APAS/FOP/EXCLUDED PROFESSIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES:
*This requirement does not apply to any spouse who works less than 25 hours per week AND that must pay more than 50% of the monthly single premium paid by the spouse’s employer or $300 per month, whichever is greater.
Coordination of Benefits Form*
Health Savings Account (HSA) is only available to employees who enroll in the single or family high deductible health plan. Employee contributions are not necessary however an annual contribution to an employee’s account of $500 for single coverage and $1,000 for family coverage will be made by the employer. Maximum amounts vary each calendar year and will be announced during annual open enrollment.
Health Savings Account Overview*
Health Savings Account Enrollment Form*
Health Care Reimbursement (FSA)
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow an employee to set aside money to reimburse themselves for health and dependent care expenses. Employees estimate how much they spend on health and/or dependent care during the year, and set the money aside in their FSAs at the beginning of the year. Claims can be incurred from January 1 through March 15 of the following year. This is a voluntary benefit and all contributions are made by the employee.
Maximums amounts will vary each calendar year and will announced based on the IRS guidelines.
Dependent Care
The Dependent Care FSA allows employees to use pre-tax dollars towards qualified dependent care such as caring for children under the age 13 or caring for elders. This is a voluntary benefit and all contribution are made by the employee. Monies must be used by the end of the calendar year.
Maximums amounts will vary each calendar year and will announced based on the IRS guidelines.
Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Options*
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Brochure*
Flexible Spending Account Enrollment Form*
YSU offers dental benefits through Delta Dental.
Delta Dental Summary Plan Description*
Vision coverage is offered through NVA (National Vision Administrators, LLC.)
Employees will receive a two and half times the employee’s base annual salary life insurance policy with a maximum benefit of $250,000. This is a 100% employer paid benefit.
This is a 100% employer paid benefit. This benefit covers a percentage of the full benefit for the loss of a limb. A loss of life would provide another death benefit of 2.5 times your annual compensation.
To be eligible for long term disability benefits through Youngstown State University you must be a full-time employee working at least 20 hours per week with less than 5 years of non-refunded Ohio Retirement System Credit. This is 100% employer paid benefit.
Voluntary coverage is available after the completion of the first five years of service due to a qualifying event or during the annual open enrollment. Employees are encouraged to review their benefits through the state retirement system to determine availability and effective date before enrolling in coverage.
FRAUD WARNING: Any person who knowingly and with intent to defraud any insurance company or other person, files an application for insurance or statement of claim containing any materially false information, or conceals for the purpose of misleading information concerning any fact material thereto, commits a fraudulent insurance act, which is a crime and subjects such person to criminal and civil penalties.
Protect yourself and your family from the unexpected loss of life and income during working years. Life insurance provides a financial benefit to beneficiaries upon death; AD&D Insurance provides additional financial protection if the insured's death or dismemberment of the insured's death or dismemberment is due to a covered accident, whether is occurs at work or elsewhere. Employees may elect supplemental life insurance at 100% employee cost.
Coverages range based on coverage type:
Supplemental Employee Life Insurance - up to 6x salary or $750,000 maximum
Supplemental Spouse Life Insurance - up to a maximum of $250,000
Child Life Insurance - $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000
Voluntary AD&D Employee or Family - up to a lesser of $500,000 or 5x salary maximum
Long Term Disability - 60% of monthly earnings to a maximum benefits $7,500.
Employees who elect supplemental employee or spouse life insurance during a qualifying event or during open enrollment must complete the online Evidence of Insurability process.
Since Ohio public institutions do not participate in the federal Social Security system, eligible employee have a choice regarding your retirement plans. Eligible faculty members will be enrolled in the State Teachers Retirement System (STRS) and staff members will be enrolled in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). New employees have 120 days to make an election to opt out of the above plans and participate in the Alternate Retirement Plan (ARP).
State Teachers Retirement System
STRS is the state retirement plan for faculty. Faculty contributes 14% of their salary to the retirement plan. The University contributes 14% of the faculty member’s salary to his or her retirement plan.
Ohio Public Employee Retirement System
OPERS is the state retirement program for staff. Staff contribute 10% of their salary each pay to the retirement plan, which is deducted on a pre-tax basis. The University also contributes to the staff member’s retirement plan based on 14% of his or her salary.
Alternative Retirement Plan
The Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP) is an alternative to OPERS/STRS for eligible faculty and staff. It provides a retirement investment program but does not offer benefits after retirement like OPERS/STRS. By participating in the ARP, employees must elect an investment provider from the list approved by Youngstown State University and the state of Ohio.
Contributions for ARP's
List of the current ARP vendors and contact information*
403b/457 Voluntary Investment PlansYSU offers the opportunity to enhance your retirement plan savings through voluntary contributions to either a Tax-Sheltered Annuity or Deferred Compensation Program. You can voluntarily save additional pre-tax funds toward your retirement with either of these plans. The benefit is determined by your account balance and the payment option(s) you choose when you apply to receive benefits. Additional information regarding voluntary investments options and enrollment is found on the Retirement webpage.
TIAA-CREF New Hire Information*
Equitable New Hire Information*
AIG New Hire Information
Fidelity New Hire Information/ VIDEO*
Parking Permits are provided for convenient access to parking in University lots. To sign up for an employees parking pass, log onto self service banner to complete this process.
Employees are encouraged to take advantage of the wide variety of entertainment and sporting events offered through the University. Discounts are offered for the theater and athletic events at 50%. Employees also receive a 20% discount for purchases at the University Bookstore.
All active bargaining unit members should refer to their current bargaining unit agreement, non-bargaining unit members refer to University policy 3356-7-31. Children are eligible to receive the benefit to the end of the academic year in which they reach age 25. An academic year runs from summer session through the spring session of the following year. More information about tuition remission is located on the Benefits webpage.
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