Basic health and $5,000 life insurance is provided to all full-time employees at no cost.

• New employees have a ninety (90) day waiting period before they are eligible for health coverage.
• Optional coverage must be selected during the first thirty (30) days after the hire date.
• Health coverage may be selected during the first thirty (30) days or any time prior to the end of the ninety (90) day waiting period. Coverage will not become effective until the first day of the month following the ninety (90) day waiting period.
• Eligible dependents include the spouse and unmarried children under age 25.
• The State Kids Insurance Program (SKIP) is available to help lower income employees with the cost of their healthcare. To qualify for SKIP, the employee must cover at least one dependent child age 19 or younger.
• As dictated by federal regulation COBRA, group health and dental insurance coverage may be extended for the employee and insured dependents for a period of up to 18 months after employment with the university ceases. Group health and dental insurance coverage may be extended for insured dependents of an active employee for specified reasons for a period of up to 36 months.
• Summer enrollment occurs each summer, usually during July and August. During the summer enrollment period, employees can add or make changes to their insurance plans. Summer enrollment changes are effective at the beginning of the new fiscal year (September 1).
• Premium conversion allows employees to pay group insurance costs on a pre-tax basis and reduce their taxable income. The dependent life insurance and disability insurance plans are excluded from premium conversion and must be deducted on an after-tax basis.

For more information, please visit the Employees Retirement System of Texas website: