Benefits
OPA is here to assist all postdocs with their benefits. Postdocs should
sign up for benefits within 31 days of hire.
There are many benefits to working at Columbia University. Through its storied relationship with New York City, the University is able to provide many discounts to its employees.
Health Benefits
Health Benefits
A Postdoc's health benefits can be determined, in large part, by his/her title.
A
Postdoctoral Research Scientist/Scholar and Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow (who
is a full-time Assistant in the Clinical Department), as an employee,
has fringe benefit costs charged to his/her salary and is able to choose
among the various
plans offered
to all other officers at the University.Human Resources at Columbia University
publishes a Benefits
in Brief that is a great resource for Officer benefits.
A
Postdoctoral Research Fellow and any Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow on
a stipend is not considered an employee. He/she can enroll in a health
plan,
however the co-pays are higher than those of an employee, as no fringe
is charged to the postdoc’s stipend.
Postdoc fellows who are appointed by the Medical Center are also eligible to enroll in the Medical Center’s Student Health Services’ Aetna Health Plan. It is a lower cost alternative although it is less robust in coverage options.
2009 Health Care Comparison Chart
Dental Coverage
All postdocs are eligible for Columbia Dental Insurance, regardless of
their health care coverage.
The Columbia Dental Associates Student Dental Plan covers semi-annual oral examinations, x-rays, and prophylaxis. There is a 25% discount on non-covered services. The cost is $150 per year. (8/1-7/31) Care is provided by dental fellows.
Enrollment Period: 8/1-1/31
The Aetna Advantage Dental Plan covers cleaning and semi-annual oral exams, x-rays, fluoride treatment, sealants, fillings, scaling and root planing, simple extractions and emergency treatment. Non-covered services are provided at a discount. The cost is $251 per year (9/1 - 8/31). Care is provided by Aetna network DMO dentists.
Enrollment Period: 9/1-9/30 and 1/15-2/15 (2nd semester only).
Time Off
Postdoctoral Research Scientists/Scholars and Postdoctoral Clinical Fellows (f/t AiC), earn two days of vacation for each month of appointment, up to a maximum of twenty-three days. They are eligible for all University Holidays. Periods of leave are excluded in determining vacation privileges. Vacation time may not be accumulated beyond June 30 of the year following the one in which it was earned. Unused vacation cannot be translated into monetary pay except upon termination of appointment.
Postdoctoral Research and Clinical Fellows are entitled to the same rights to vacation as postdoctoral research scientists/scholars unless the provisions of the granting agency specify otherwise.
Child Care / Schools
Child Care Options – Columbia has teamed up with the neighborhood to provide assistance for faculty and staff. Search for Nursery Schools, Pre-school, and even babysitters through this service.
School Search Service – Helps families through the daunting task of searching for a school that will best fit the need of their children. All education levels, from grade school to high school, are covered in this service.
Backup Care – The University provides access to backup care to support you during a temporary change or disruption in normal care arrangements, or when you have an unexpected need to provide short-term care for others. During times when other care options are not available and you don't want to take time off from work or study, you have backup care to consider as a resource.
Extras
This is a listing of discounts you can utilize with your Columbia ID or UNI.
Purchasing – Many services such as airlines, car rentals, and computer retailers provide discounts to Columbia affiliates.
CU Arts Initiative – You can get into almost any museum in NYC for free with your Columbia ID. Discount tickets are also found on this site.
Working Advantage – Provides discounts and reward programs. Sign up for the weekly mailing list to receive updates on local discounts. Columbia’s Corporate ID is 99042065.