Available Benefits

Health and Dental Insurance

Scholars/Fellows may enroll in the student health and dental insurance plans offered to our employed graduate students. The University Benefits Office will email a packet of materials when the appointment begins, including rates, information, and an enrollment form to complete and return.

There are two health plans (UIGRADCare and SHIP) you may choose from and one dental plan. Select the links below to read more about the individual plans and monthly premium rates for each plan. 

Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Any Scholar or Fellow who has income subject to state and federal tax withholding may participate in these accounts. For more information on them, along with the advantages of participating and the enrollment process, visit the Flexible Spending Account website. 

Workers' Compensation and Disability

Workers' Compensation covers postdoctoral scholars only. Postdoctoral fellows, however, are not covered because this type of appointment is not classified as a university employee. In addition, the University's long-term disability insurance covers neither Scholars nor Fellows.

Retirement and Social Security

Retirement Plans

Postdoctoral Research Scholars (FP01) MUST participate in a retirement plan. Therefore, the employees will be defaulted into IPERS (the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System) except those considered foreign scholars.

Suppose the Scholar would prefer to participate in the TIAA retirement plan. In that case, they may log on to Employee Self Service, select the Retirement Enrollment link under the Benefits section, and make their election within 60 days of their hire/eligibility date. Foreign scholars will automatically default to TIAA.

To review the differences between IPERS and TIAA, please visit the Retirement Plan Options webpage. 

The retirement plan election is a one-time opportunity and cannot be changed after the 60-day enrollment window.

Postdoctoral Research Scholars may also save extra for retirement by participating in the 403(b) VRSP and/or the 457(b) programs if they have taxable income. To review your options and instructions on how to enroll, please visit the Voluntary Plan Options.  

Social Security

Postdoctoral Research Fellows (FP02) are exempt from payment of FICA (Social Security) and Medicare taxes; therefore, they are also exempt from the payroll deduction for IPERS or TIAA. Federal and State tax deductions will not be withheld from paychecks; however, the individual may still be responsible for the payment of taxes. Individuals in this category are not eligible to participate in a VRSP.

Paid Leave

Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of Iowa are entitled to annual paid leave of 15 working days and annual sick leave of 18 working days but do not accrue vacation and are not entitled to vacation pay. The agency supporting a Postdoctoral Fellow may require different policies. The appointing department is responsible for arranging and accounting for leave for Postdoctoral Scholars.

Well-Being Services

Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows and their family members are eligible to receive services from the Employee Assistance Program and the University Counseling Service. 

Access to University Facilities and Activities

Postdoctoral Scholars/Fellows will receive a university identification card. This card provides access to library and information resources, cultural and athletic events, and the ability to charge items to a university billing account.

More information for Postdoctoral Scholars/Fellows can be found on the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars website.

Annual Notices

Federal law requires the University to broadly disseminate certain policies to faculty, staff, and students on an annual basis. The University of Iowa Benefits Office is committed to being environmentally friendly whenever possible while still accomplishing our objectives, so we have moved these notices online.