Fringe Benefits and Services

The fringe benefits and services described in this section are available to eligible employees of the State of North Carolina. While every effort has been made to provide information that is accurate and up-to-date concerning these benefits and services, it should be noted that any item is subject to change by appropriate authority. The University is not responsible for errors that appear in these summary statements, and underlying law, regulations, or contracts shall be controlling. For more complete information about benefits and services, visit the Human Resources web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/. Benefits Orientations programs are conducted throughout the year for new UNC Charlotte employees.

Disability Income Plan. Benefits from long-term disability are coordinated with other employer-supported plans. There is no cost to the employee. For more information, please contact the Benefits Office (225 King, 704-687-4271), or visit their web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/.

Employee Assistance Program. The University recognizes that employees experiencing personal problems, including emotional problems, alcohol and drug abuse, and marital problems, should be encouraged to seek professional assistance. To meet this need, the University Counseling Center has counselors available to assist employees. Through the Counseling Center, assessment, short-term counseling, and referral services are provided to faculty and staff free of charge. Services are provided on a confidential basis. Assistance may be obtained by contacting the UNC Charlotte Counseling Center (158 Atkins, 704-687-2105) or the Employee Relations Manager in the Human Resources Office (222 King, 704-687-2794).

Health Insurance Plans. Full-time faculty and EPA staff are eligible to participate in any of the health insurance plans offered by the University. For detailed information about the health insurance plans available to UNC Charlotte faculty, visit the Human Resources web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/.

NC Flex Account. A Flexible Spending Account is a tax-free account you establish each year to pay for medical and dental services or supplies (a Health Care FSA), or day care of a dependent child or elderly parent (a Dependent Day Care FSA). Setting aside money in one, or both, of these accounts can save you money that would ordinarily go to pay federal, state and social security taxes. For more information about the NC Flex Account, visit their web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/benefits/ncflex.htm.

Optional Insurance Plans. Several insurance plans are available at low group rates. To learn more about these insurance plans, visit the UNC Charlotte Human Resources Department web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/.

Phased Retirement Program. As part of career and financial planning, members of the faculty at UNC Charlotte may wish to explore the possibility the phased retirement program. Information on the phased retirement program can be found at www.uncc.edu/academic_affairs/empissues/phasedret/index.htm.

Retirement Programs. Full-time faculty and EPA staff are required to participate in a retirement plan. The retirement options are dependent upon the employment rank or status. Under any of the plans, the employee contributes 6% of salary that is not subject to state or federal income tax. More detailed information is presented at the new employee orientation. Information about retirement programs can also be obtained by contacting the Benefits Office (225 King, 704-687-4271), or by visiting their web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/.

Social Security. Social Security contributions are withheld from all remunerations paid to faculty and EPA staff members, beginning January 1 of each year, until the maximum subject to coverage has been earned. No credit for amounts earned in the employ of another state agency or other employer is permitted.

Social Security Number. Disclosure of social security number is required of all employees for purposes of crediting social security accounts with FICA payments and for federal tax purposes. Disclosure is voluntary for other purposes and is requested by UNC Charlotte to perform efficiently its obligations as an institution of higher education. Social security numbers disclosed may be used only for the following purposes:

(a) financial management

(b) maintenance of employee and student records

(d) preparation of identification cards

(e) medical records management

(f) traffic and parking enforcement

(g) administration of fringe benefit programs

Tax Sheltered Annuity Plans. Permanent employees of the University may participate in tax-sheltered programs through payroll deduction. These programs allow employees to exclude a portion of their salary from taxable income for the purchase of an annuity contract. Payment of taxes on this money and on the interest it earns is deferred until the money is withdrawn, presumably at retirement when most people will be in a lower tax bracket.

Further details on any of these tax-deferred programs are available from the Benefits Office (225 King, 704-687-4271), or by visiting their web site at www.hr.uncc.edu/.