The terms are listed in the order (left to right) as they appear on the Personalized Benefits Statement.
PERSONNEL NUMBER- The number assigned to you in IRIS. This number may also be found on your monthly or biweekly pay information.
Hourly Rates
Salary (annual rate) – Annualized rate of pay as of the effective date shown on the personal benefits statement. The annual rate is determined by multiplying base salary by the total number of work hours (2,080) in a work year.
Percentage Charts
Each eligible employee receives $100 for each year of service (after three years) up to $3,000.
Pension Plans
The University of Tennessee funds all contributions to the retirement plans. All regular full-time employees are required, as a condition of employment, to participate in one of the available retirement plans. Enrollment is optional for regular part-time employees. Certain term employees are eligible to enroll upon completion of six months of continuous active service.
For more information:
Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
Optional Retirement Program (ORP)
Joint Contributory Retirement System (JCRS) --Closed since 7/1/77
Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) --Closed since 12/31/83
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) --Closed to UT employees since 01/01/02
Tax Deferred Income
For more information:
HR0390 Tax-Deferred Income Program
State of Tennessee Deferred Compensation
Medical
The university contributes a portion of your health insurance premium (approximately 80% of total cost) if you are in a positive pay status or on approved family medical leave. If approved for workers' compensation and receiving lost time pay, the state pays the entire health insurance premium. There are three options:
If currently enrolled, you may change health insurance plans during the Annual Transfer Period occurring every October 15 – November 15.
For more information: Quick Plan Comparison
Basic Term Life and Basic Special Accident Insurances
Employees who participate in the health insurance program also receive certain amounts of basic term life insurance and basic special accident insurance, dependent upon age and salary. The state provides, at no cost to the employee, $20,000 basic term life and $40,000 basic special insurance for those employees who elect health coverage, earn less than $15,000 annually and are under age 65. The amount of coverage increases as the employee's salary increases, with premiums for coverage above $20,000/$40,000 deducted from the employee's paycheck. The maximum amount of coverage is $50,000 for basic term life insurance and $100,000 for basic special accident insurance. The face amount of coverage declines at ages above 65.
Eligible dependents (spouse and children) are covered for $3,000 of basic term life coverage.
Dependents (spouse and children) are eligible for basic special accident insurance, with the amounts of coverage based on salary and family composition.
Tennessee Dental Plan
UT employees are automatically enrolled in this program. Your Tennessee Dental Plan membership card is available from your local human resources (HR) office. Contact your local HR office if you have not received your card.
For more information:
State Group Insurance Program Insurance Handbook
Tennessee Dental Plan
The university provides educational assistance to eligible regular employees and their eligible family members.
For more information:
HR0330 Educational Assistance (Fee Waivers)
HR0331 Educational Assistance (Student Fee Discount) for Spouses and Dependent Children of Employees
As a University of Tennessee employee, if you have an accidental injury while you are working at your job, or contract a job-related illness, you may have rights to compensation for medical costs and lost time per the Workers’ Compensation Program of the State of Tennessee.
NOTE: Some Extension Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) employees may still have limited rights under the Federal Office of Workers’ Compensation in the event of loss of work time due to an on-the-job injury or illness.
If you have more questions about workers’ compensation benefits or procedures for UT employees, please contact the UT Office of Risk Management at 865-974-5409.
For more information:
The total amount the university contributes to eligible benefits for which you are enrolled.
The total annual compensation paid directly to you or to the benefit plans eligible for employer contribution for which you are enrolled, which may include:
Annual Leave (Vacation)
Regular non-exempt staff accrue annual leave according to the chart below for each month of full-time service based on length of service. For regular part-time employees, leave is accrued according to the schedule in policy.
Regular 12-month faculty or exempt staff accrue 16 hours of annual leave for each month of full-time service. For regular part-time employees, leave is accrued according to the schedule in policy.
The chart below also indicates the maximum number of hours of annual leave you may carry over from one calendar year to the next. The maximum hours carried over each year apply to both full-time and part-time employees. Any annual leave in excess of the maximum carry over is automatically transferred to sick leave at the end of the calendar year.
Years of Service
Annual Leave Hours Accrued Per Month
Annual Leave Hours Accrued Per Year
Maximum Annual Leave Hours Carry Over Per Calendar Year
1 thru 5
8
96
240
6 thru10
12
144
288
11 thru 20
14
168
312
Over 20
16
192
336
If you are a regular faculty or staff member on a 12-month appointment, you accrue sick leave at the rate of eight hours of sick leave for each month of full-time service. If you are a regular part-time employee, leave is accrued according to the schedule in policy. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave that can be accrued. Although faculty members on academic year appointments do not earn sick leave, the university may grant leave due to illness, with or without pay, for a length of time depending upon individual circumstances such as length of service, necessity for replacement, quality of past service, and future potential with the university.
If you are a regular full-time staff non-exempt employee and have successfully completed your six-month probationary period with the university, you are eligible for eight hours of personal leave during the calendar year. If you are a regular part-time staff non-exempt employee, leave is accrued according to the schedule in policy. Personal leave may be taken at your request with your supervisor's approval. Personal leave cannot be carried forward from one calendar year to another, and payment is not made for unused personal leave upon termination from the university.
NOTE: Student and term employees do not accrue paid leave.
