Employee Benefits

Summary of Benefits for Full Time Employees of Thomas Edison State University and the New Jersey State Library. To help visitors find information about employee benefits more quickly, this page is organized into the following links:

  • Vacation

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive:

    • Management Staff: Immediately accumulate 1.83 days per month for the first fiscal year; 22 days per fiscal year thereafter (carryover one year balance).
    • Professional AFT Staff: Immediately accumulate 1.5 days per month for the first calendar year; 22 days per calendar year thereafter (carryover one year balance).
    • Career Service CWA/IFPTE Staff: Immediately accumulate one day per month for the first calendar year; 12 days per calendar year thereafter; after five years, 15 days; after 12 years, 20 days; after 20 years, 25 days (carryover one year balance).
  • Administrative Leave

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive:

    • Management and Professional AFT Staff: Not applicable
    • Career Service CWA/IFPTE Staff: Immediately accumulate a half day (.5) per full calendar month of employment. Maximum of three days per calendar year (no carryover).
  • Sick Leave

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive:

    • Management and Professional AFT Staff: Immediately accumulate 1.25 days per month for the first year; 15 days per year thereafter (cumulative from year-to-year). Upon retirement, payment equal to 1/2 daily rate of pay for each unused sick day, up to $15,000.
    • Career Service CWA/IFPTE Staff: Immediately accumulate one day per calendar month for the first year; 15 days per calendar year thereafter (cumulative from year-to-year). Upon retirement, payment equal to 1/2 daily rate of pay for each unused sick day, up to $15,000.
  • Holidays

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive: All employees receive 13 paid holidays per year. The University is closed between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but remains open on certain holidays.

  • Health Plans

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period of Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: Participation in the N.J. State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), which offers three types of medical plans, including:

    • Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
    • Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
    • High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP)

    The employee contribution is determined as a specified percentage of health benefits/prescription drug premiums for a salary range, but not less than 1.5 percent of salary.

  • Prescription Drug

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period of Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: The employee contribution is determined as a specified percentage of health benefits/prescription drug premiums for a salary range, but not less than 1.5 percent of salary.

    Copayment based upon the type of medication purchased (three-tier system). Prescription drug services are available through participating retail pharmacies and/or mail order.

  • Dental Plans

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period of Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: Participation in N.J. State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), which offers two types of dental plans: the Dental Expense Plan (traditional indemnity) and Dental Plan Organizations. Premium costs are based on coverage level and are shared between the state and employee.

  • Vision Care Reimbursement

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period of Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: Reimbursement for eye exam (co-payment or up to a specific dollar amount) and/or lenses once every two years as negotiated.

  • VSP Vision Care

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period of Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: Voluntary vision care benefit that provides coverage and savings on the cost of an annual eye exam, prescription eyewear and lenses, contact lenses, and other eye-related services.

  • Retirement Plans (determined by position type)

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Enrollment Date

    What You Receive:

    • Alternate Benefit Program (ABP): a tax-sheltered, defined contribution retirement program. Members contribute five percent and the employer contributes eight percent. There is a choice of seven investment carriers
      -OR-
    • Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS): a defined benefit program administered by the N.J. Division of Pensions and Benefits.
  • Life Insurance

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Enrollment Date of ABP or PERS

    What You Receive:

    • Alternate Benefit Program (ABP): coverage equals three and a half times the member’s base salary. Long term disability is available after one year of participation. Proof of insurability may be required;
      -OR-
    • Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS): coverage equals three times the member’s base salary if covered by noncontributory and contributory group life insurance. Proof of insurability may be required.
  • Additional Tax-Deferred Contributions

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive: Voluntary 457h and 403b programs are available.

  • Tax$ave

    When You Are Eligible: Waiting Period: First of the Month Following Two (2) Months

    What You Receive: This Section 125 plan allows for pretax medical and dental premiums, along with unreimbursed medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts.

  • Temporary Disability and Unemployment

    When You Are Eligible: Upon Employment

    What You Receive: Mandatory participation in N.J. Temporary Disability Insurance and Unemployment Insurance.

This summary is designed only as a general reference. For more information on all benefits, contact the Office of Human Resources at (609) 984-1114 or via email at hr@tesu.edu.

Additional information on the N.J. State Health Benefits Program, prescription drug, vision care, dental, retirement plan, life insurance, additional tax-deferred contributions, Tax$ave and long-term care may also be obtained from the N.J. Division of Pension and Benefits.