The University of Maine System (UMS) has a wide array of benefits available to employees.
Our benefits not only enhance employees’ financial security and well-being, they also add significantly to their total compensation. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes paid time off (holidays, vacation and sick), health, dental, vision and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, a tuition waiver program for eligible employees and dependents, a 403(b) retirement plan and more.
Comprehensive health, vision and dental insurance. UMS offers competitive, comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance to eligible employees and their families.
Life insurance. UMS offers eligible employees basic life insurance at no cost, equal to the employee’s annual salary. Supplemental life insurance as well as spouse/domestic partner and dependent life insurance are also offered.
Short- and long-term disability insurance. UMS offers short-term disability insurance to eligible employees. Long-term disability insurance is provided at no cost by the University to eligible employees.
Looking for a summary of the benefits offered at USM? Below are one-pagers for each unit.
| One-Pager Link | Description of Unit |
|---|---|
| Associated COLT Staff of the Universities of Maine (ACSUM) | Hourly employees in clerical, office, laboratory and technical positions; e.g. Administrative Specialists |
| Associated Faculties of the Universities of Maine (AFUM) | Full-time faculty |
| Part Time Faculty Association (PATFA) | Part-time/adjunct faculty |
| Universities of Maine Professional Staff Association (UMPSA) | Salaried employees |
| Service and Maintenance | Facilities Management employees (custodial, grounds, maintenance) |
| Police | Police officers, dispatchers and security employees |
| Non-Represented Faculty and Salaried Employees | Faculty and salaried employees not represented by a collective bargaining agreement |
| Non-Represented Hourly | Hourly confidential employees and supervisors not represented by a collective bargaining agreement |
Vacation and sick time. Eligible employees accrue vacation and sick time on a per-pay-period basis.
Holidays. UMS recognizes 13 federal and state holidays and provides holiday pay for eligible employees.
The University of Maine System encourages the full participation in its educational mission by offering tuition waivers to eligible employees, their spouses and their dependents (enrollment/matriculation in a program not required). The tuition waiver is applicable to undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate courses throughout the University of Maine System, including Maine Law.
Generally, eligible full-time employees are allowed a maximum of two tuition-free courses per semester or summer session, not to exceed a total of eight credit hours. Eligible part-time employees are allowed a maximum of one tuition-free course per semester or summer session, not to exceed a total of four credit hours.
To learn more, visit the Tuition Waiver Program and Professional Development Opportunities website.
UMS encourages employees to champion their health and wellness every day, and provides resources to help. Through the UMS wellness program, eligible employees have access to free health coaching and can participate in a number of wellness events throughout the year.
By participating in the UMS wellness program, employees enrolled in the health insurance plan are eligible for a discounted premium.
Additionally, the University offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)—a free, voluntary and confidential service provided by Cigna. The EAP provides employees, retirees and their household members with assessments, consultations and referrals to resources.
The EAP is designed to assist you in dealing with a wide variety of personal concerns, including alcohol and substance abuse, stress, mental health, family/marital matters, child care and elder care issues, financial/legal concerns, domestic violence resources, and much more.
The EAP offers six (6) free counseling sessions per topic to eligible employees.
Please visit the Wellness and EAP site for more information.
UMS offers competitive 403(b) and 457(b) retirement programs, including Roth options. For full-time salaried employees, the University contributes an amount equal to 10% of base salary on the basic 403(b) plan. For full-time hourly employees, the University will match contributions up to 4% of base salary.* Part-time employees are generally ineligible for University matching contributions.
*Employees in the Police unit (police officers, dispatchers and security employees) are subject to different requirements and have the option of joining the Maine Public Employee Retirement System (MainePERS or Maine State Retirement).
Note: There is a five year vesting period for the University’s retirement contributions to this plan (excluding AFUM-represented faculty who are immediately vested).
For more information about UMS retirement programs, please contact the Employee Benefits Center.
In addition to these core benefits, eligible employees can select from a host of additional supplemental benefits.
Pet Insurance
Home and Auto Insurance, including Renter’s Insurance
RecoveryOne from Cigna: a virtual physical therapy program that is personalized to help overcome back, joint, or muscle pain. Eligible employees can start a recovery plan from anywhere, even from the comfort of home, and there’s no clinical referral needed.
Fitness Centers. Employees can access the Sullivan Gym, Costello Sports Complex and LAC Fitness Center at no cost. Family discounts are available as well! USM fitness centers provide a comfortable environment with brand new equipment as of spring/summer 2022.
Greater Portland METRO. Employees can access the Portland METRO at no cost.
Our Employee Benefits Center (EBC) is a one-stop resource for benefits enrollment, information and assistance.
- Toll Free: (866) 269-9635
- Local: (207) 973-3373
- Email: benefits@maine.edu
For more information, including benefits webcasts and one-pagers, visit the Employee Benefits Center portal (log-in required).