Benefits Enrollment

Harvard provides health benefits designed to support the wellbeing of our faculty and staff, as well as their families, at every stage of life. From medical, dental, and vision coverage to specialized programs for those facing high medical costs, we offer a variety of options to help you find the benefits that best meet your needs.

In addition to health coverage, Harvard’s benefits include options to safeguard your financial security in the event of unexpected circumstances as well as programs to support your long-term retirement goals.

Explore the benefits available to you and your family by selecting the resource below for your employee group. Be sure to review the enrollment instructions and note that you have 30 days from your date of hire or the date you first become eligible to complete your enrollment in certain benefits and submit dependent supporting documentation.

You can also learn more at New Employee Welcome & Orientation and by watching the Harvard Benefits Highlight videos to learn about your benefits options.

Health and Welfare Benefits

Eligibility for Health Benefits: To be eligible for Harvard's health benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be employed in a benefits-eligible position on a regular University payroll.
• Work at least 17.5 hours per week or earn a base annual salary of at least $15,000.
• For employees covered by a union contract, specific eligibility requirements may vary by union contract.

30-Day Enrollment Window: If you are eligible for health benefits, you have 30 days from your date of hire to enroll in the following benefits:

• Medical and Prescription Drug Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Care Coverage
• Health Flexible Spending Account (or Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account for high-deductible health plan members)
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account if you're eligible and choose the high-deductible health plan (you may elect the HSA at any time, not subject to 30-day window)
• Long Term Disability (may enroll later, but may be subject to medical review)
• Optional Life Insurance for yourself and for eligible spouse/domestic partner and/or children (may enroll later, but may be subject to medical review)
• Legal Plan
• Identity Theft Protection

Coverage Level Options:

• You can elect individual coverage for yourself for any of the benefits listed above.
• You may also choose family coverage under medical, dental, and vision benefits for your spouse/domestic partner and/or eligible dependents.
• If you choose family coverage, you will need to provide proof of your dependent's eligibility and submit it along with the Dependent Documentation Cover Sheet.

How to Enroll: Benefits enrollment is completed online via PeopleSoft by following these enrollment instructions. You will need to have your Harvard ID number and a HarvardKey to complete the online enrollment process. 

Outside of the 30-Day Enrollment Window: You have two additional opportunities to enroll in benefits:

1. Annual Open Enrollment: This period occurs each fall, and changes made during this time take effect on January 1 of the following year.
2. Qualified Life Events: Under IRS regulations, certain "qualified" life events (HarvardKey required), such as changes in family or employment status, allow you to make benefit changes. You must submit any changes within 30 days of the event, and the changes must be consistent with the event.

Retirement Benefits

Automatic Enrollment in Harvard-Paid Retirement Plan: After the appropriate waiting period (between six months and one year, depending on the plan), you will automatically be enrolled in a Harvard-paid retirement plan for your employment type. You will receive an informational package from the Harvard University Retirement Center two months prior to your enrollment.

Supplemental, Employee-Paid Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA): You may also enroll in a supplemental employee-paid tax-deferred annuity (TDA) at any time. The TDA offers two options – traditional and Roth – allowing you to save either on a tax-deferred basis or with after-tax contributions. New faculty, nonunion staff, and HUCTW staff are automatically enrolled in the TDA with Traditional option contributions after 60 days of employment if they do not make an active election. You will receive an information package with plan details and investment options mailed to your home from the Harvard University Retirement Center.