Benefits

Duquesne University offers their eligible faculty and staff a high deductible health plan (HDHP) or a PPO plan with both Highmark and UPMC.

To obtain plan details and costs refer to the Benefits Overview Guide.

CVS Caremark helps participating faculty and staff to manage their prescription needs.

Dental coverage is provided through United Concordia. Eligible faculty and staff have the option to enroll in either a basic or enhanced plan.  The University participates in the Elite Plus network.

Vision benefits are provided through VSP Vision Care. Eligible faculty and staff have the option to enroll in either a basic or enhanced plan.

The University offers term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage at no cost to eligible faculty and staff.  The coverage is equal to one times your base annual salary up to a maximum of $300,000.

Optional term life insurance provides extra security for individuals who are financially dependent on you. The amount you require can differ based on factors such as your age, the number and ages of your dependents, as well as your financial circumstances. This is an optional benefit, and is employee paid.

Spouse and Child optional life insurance also offers financial protection when the unexpected happens. This is an optional benefit and is employee paid.

Long-term disability replaces a portion of your income if illness or accident prevents you from working for an extended period of time.

Basic long-term disability (LTD) is provided by the University after completion of 1-year of full-time employment. This benefit provides 50% of base salary to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month.

Buy-Up long-term disability provides an additional 10% of coverage.  When added to Basic LTD, coverage is 60% of base salary to a maximum of $12,000 per month.  This is an optional benefit and is employee paid.

Duquesne University provides a range of additional voluntary benefits aimed at advancing and improving the health and welfare of our faculty and staff.

Faculty and staff have the opportunity to utilize:

• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Coverage
• Hospital Indemnity Insurance

These benefits are optional and are funded by the employees themselves.

Wellness in Motion is an engaging health and wellness program designed to improve Duquesne's medical plan members health, well-being and productivity.

The University has partnered with Highmark, UPMC and The Center for Pharmacy Care to offer this program.

Members can earn Wellness in Motion Dollars for each wellness activity that is completed.

Highmark PPO members receive Wellness in Motion Dollars in a health reimbursement account (HRA). Dollars in this account are automatically applied to medical deductibles and co-insurance.

UPMC EPO members receive Wellness in Motion Dollars on an UPMC Consumer Advantage debit card.  Participating members will receive this card shortly after the start of the plan year.  This card can be used for services that go toward the deductible and co-insurance.

Employees and their participating spouse can each earn up to $300 in Wellness in Motion Dollars.

All eligible employees have the opportunity to participate as a voluntary member of the plan. Employees may be required to participate in the plan as a condition of employment (refer to below chart).

Duquesne University's Match Contribution
The University offers a match. Eligibility for the match is based on employment status as outlined in the chart below. 

Can I rollover monies from a previous employer plan?
Yes, the Duquesne University plan will accept rollovers from other pre-tax sources. 

What is the maximum amount that I can contribute?
Federal tax law limits the amount you can contribute. The limit for calendar year 2025 is $23,500 with an additional $7,500 catch-up for those age 50 and above.  A NEW catch-up provision allows those who will be, or are ages 60-63, $11,500 in catch-up contributions.

Are the any other voluntary contribution options?
Yes, employees have the ability to contribute their own money to a University sponsored Roth 403(b) Plan.  Eligible employees have he option of electing after-tax contributions through payroll deductions into the Roth 403(b) voluntary contribution option under the Duquesne University 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Are there any loan features associated with the Duquesne University Retirement Plan?
Yes, employees may take a maximum of two loans based on all accumulations.

As a Duquesne University employee, a key part of your compensation and future security is your retirement plan. 

• The Duquesne University Plan provides matching funds toward your own contributions, if you are an eligible employee. 
• Both University and employee contributions are immediately vested, and the plan is 100% portable if you leave.
• You are eligible to receive the matching funds following your one-year anniversary.
• The one-year waiting period may be waived if you have previously worked at a qualifying educational institution and worked in a qualifying position. To verify eligibility complete the Prior Year of Service Form.

The Roth 403(b) is a part of the University's retirement plan and provides eligible employees with an option to make voluntary contributions on an after-tax basis.

What is a 457(b) plan? The University also offers a 457(b) Retirement plan for eligible employees. This plan is a non-qualified, tax advantaged, deferred compensation retirement plan that is used to provide an additional opportunity for pre-tax contributions for eligible employees. 

The salary threshold to participate in this plan must meet the IRS definition of a highly compensated individual.  For 2025 the IRS definition of a highly compensated individual is $160,000.

For more information about this plan please reach out to the Benefits Office or a TIAA financial advisor at 800-732-8353.

Department of Labor regulations require the University to provide detailed information about investment options and expenses associated with these investments.

The disclosure gives plan participants a complete picture of all the funds and associated expenses available. The disclosure is for informational purposes only.

The information includes:

• Fees and expenses related to the plan account
• Participant rights under the plan
• Rules related to providing investment direction
• Details about the plan's investment options, including investment-related feeds and restrictions.