Benefits

Embry-Riddle offers a generous 403(b) and 403(b) Roth defined contribution retirement program through TIAA to allow employees to plan for their retirement.

Employees may establish a retirement account upon date of hire with immediate vesting, and employees may voluntarily contribute a portion of their earnings into the retirement fund.

The University will contribute 6% of the employee’s regular base pay into the employee’s retirement plan as a gift, and the University will also match up to 4% of employee contributions, for benefit-eligible faculty and staff working 20+ hours per week. Adjunct instructors and part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week can also participate in the Embry-Riddle retirement plan but will not receive the University gift or matching contributions. 

Tuition Waivers

Upon date of hire, full-time faculty and staff are eligible to take up to six Embry-Riddle courses per fiscal year for free. Spouses of full-time employees may receive a 100% tuition waiver for six courses per fiscal year for one undergraduate degree, and discounted tuition for one graduate degree. Full-time employees’ unmarried, dependent children up to age 26 may receive 100% tuition waivers for full-time coursework for one undergraduate degree, and discounted tuition for one graduate degree. Graduate tuition is taxable.

Tuition Exchange Program (TE)

The TE program provides the opportunity for dependent children of Embry-Riddle’s full-time faculty and staff, employed for one year or more, to attend a participating TE college or university at a significant tuition reduction or at no tuition charge. The TE program is a scholarship opportunity rather than a fringe benefit and requires an application process.

Professional Development

Faculty and staff may attend conferences, workshops, seminars, certification programs, etc. provided they are work-related and approved by their supervisor. In addition, the Human Resources Department offers a robust training calendar that provides skill-building and professional development courses that support organizational and individual performance and growth. 

Health Insurance

Embry-Riddle faculty and staff who work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for insurance coverage.

Medical Plans

Embry-Riddle offers a Blue Cross and Blue Shield PPO plan to faculty and staff on all campuses (except for in Hawaii; see below). This plan includes a prescription drug program. We also offer a second option, a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which is designed to offer affordable premium rates with a robust plan and network through Blue Cross and Blue Shield. BCBS Transparency in Coverage

The Florida Health Care Plan is an HMO plan available to faculty and staff at the Daytona Beach or Worldwide Campus headquarters in Daytona Beach. The plan includes a prescription drug program.

Hawaii: Employees working in Hawaii can elect coverage through the Kaiser PPO Medical Plan, which includes dental and vision coverage.

International: Employees working outside of the United States can elect coverage through the CIGNA International Medical Plan, which includes dental and vision coverage.

Dental

Dental Insurance is available to faculty and staff through the Guardian - Dental Guard Preferred (excluding Hawaii and international locations – see Medical Plans above).

Vision

Vision Insurance is available to faculty and staff through the Guardian - VSP (excluding Hawaii and international locations – see Medical Plans above).

Health Savings Account

The Health Savings Account is a tax-advantaged savings account that employees use to pay for qualified medical expenses not covered by the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), including deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions, vision and dental care. Must be enrolled in HDHP to participate. Embry-Riddle will contribute $600 for employee coverage, $900 for employee + spouse or employee + child(ren) coverage, and $1,200 for family coverage. Amounts will be reduced 50% for new employees participating on or after October 1st.  

Health Reimbursement Arrangement

The Health Reimbursement Arrangement is a tax-advantaged savings account that employees use to pay for qualified medical expenses not covered by the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), including deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions, vision and dental care. Must be enrolled in HDHP to participate and meet eligibility requirements for a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. Embry-Riddle will contribute $600 for employee coverage, $900 for employee + spouse or employee + child(ren) coverage, and $1,200 for family coverage. Amounts will be reduced 50% for new employees participating on or after October 1st.  

Flexible Spending Account

Eligible employees may enroll in a pre-tax Medical Expense Reimbursement Spending Account and/or a Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement Spending Account.

On-Site Health Clinics

Daytona Beach-based faculty, staff and their spouses and dependents (18 years of age and older) have the opportunity to receive acute medical care at Embry-Riddle Health Services — Daytona Beach.

Faculty and staff at the Prescott Campus have the opportunity to receive acute medical care at the Embry-Riddle Prescott Health & Wellness Center.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP is a confidential, professional national therapist and counselor network available to employees and their family members 24/7 at no charge. The program offers a myriad of resources on topics such as managing stress, caring for elderly parents, dealing with trauma, navigating life with teenagers and much more. Discounted legal services are available through this program as well.

Aflac

Eligible employees may participate in additional Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance or Hospital Indemnity Insurance plans through Aflac. 

Pet Insurance

Embry-Riddle offers discounted rates for pet insurance so you can save money while keeping your furry family healthy.

Basic Life Insurance

Basic Life Insurance is provided at no cost to eligible employees and is equal to one times the employee’s annual base salary (rounded up to the nearest thousand dollars).

Employee Supplemental Life Insurance

Eligible employees may purchase additional term life insurance coverage for themselves or their family members through payroll deduction.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Short-Term Disability Insurance is provided at no cost to eligible full-time employees classified as staff. The plan pays 60 percent of basic earnings to employees who are unable to work due to a disability. The maximum benefit period is 26 weeks.

Employees who are categorized as faculty, issued instructional contracts and normally work under a nine-month academic year, are eligible for up to eight weeks of Faculty Disability Leave. Faculty who are unable to return to work after eight weeks may receive additional disability pay of 60% of basic earnings. The combination of Faculty Disability Leave followed by Short-Term Disability Leave shall not exceed 26 weeks.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long Term Disability Insurance begins after the 26th week of Short-Term Disability Leave. The plan replaces 60 percent of gross monthly earnings. Benefits may continue up to age 65.

Faculty, staff and students receive a variety of discounted offerings from our community partners in the following categories:

• Dining: Local restaurants and national chains, plus an on-campus employee meal plan
• Entertainment: Theme parks, sporting events, performing arts and events centers and much more
• Housing: Purchasing homes and renting apartments
• Retail: Car dealerships, Dell computers, pharmacies, pilot equipment and more
• Services: Automobile repair and parts, banks, cell phones, salons, gyms and more
• Travel: Hotels, car rentals, airport parking and more

Plus the following:

• Observation flights: Embry-Riddle employees and immediate family members are permitted to observe as a passenger during flight training activity. Passengers must be at least 16 years old. 
• On-site bookstore: 10 percent discounts on ERAU-logoed merchandise including T-shirts, polos, sweatshirts, mugs, hats, etc.

Eligible faculty and staff will be provided eight weeks of paid leave for both the birth mother and their spouse/partner if both are employed with ERAU.

We encourage our employees to give back to the communities where we live and work. Staff are offered two paid days each year to encourage participation in community service.

Embry-Riddle hosts and sponsors many on- and off-campus family-friendly events. Employees can participate at no cost, in many cases during working hours. Some of these events include bring your child to work day, the children’s holiday party, faculty/staff holiday party, homecoming parade and festivities, air shows, summer camps and much more.

Staff working 30 or more hours per week and 12-month faculty administrators are eligible for personal leave (vacation, sick leave, bereavement or personal time).

Non-exempt staff positions earn 12 days during the first year of full-time employment.

Exempt positions earn 18 days during the first year of full-time employment.

The rate of accrual of personal leave increases with years of service, with the maximum balance of 240 hours. We also offer the option to transfer leave into a disability pool to supplement pay during disability events.

One of the most anticipated benefits our faculty and staff enjoy is our summer schedule. During the summer months, many employees enjoy an abbreviated workweek. 

Perhaps just as eagerly anticipated is our break between Christmas and New Year's Day, when our campuses close so we can spend quality time with family. Eligible Embry-Riddle employees receive several paid holidays throughout the year as well.