Benefit summary for non-U.S. citizens working abroad
Table of Contents
Overview
University of Washington offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. Choose from top medical, dental and vision insurance programs; plan for your future with tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; enjoy generous vacation and sick time off policies; and protect yourself and your family with life and long-term disability insurance. For more information, follow the links shown below or explore the Benefits website.
Insurance
Eligibility
Academic Staff & Professional Staff are eligible for PEBB insurance benefits when appointed to a position with at least a 50 percent UW paid appointment for more than 6 consecutive months.
Faculty are eligible for PEBB insurance benefits when appointed to an eligible faculty position with at least a 50 percent UW paid appointment and a duration of three or more consecutive academic quarters (spring and fall are considered consecutive for benefits purposes). Insurance benefits generally begin the first of the following month. However, if an eligible faculty appointment begins on the first business or calendar day of the month, eligibility begins on that day.
If your faculty appointment is quarter-to-quarter, you will become eligible when you start a second consecutive quarter of a 50 percent UW paid appointment. In this case, your coverage begins the first of the month following the beginning of the second-quarter appointment.
Medical insurance
Eligible employees may choose from several health plans, all of which are listed in the Compare Health Plans webpages.
You have 31 days to select your health plan. Outside of the U.S., Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic is your best option. This plan, which is administered by Regence BlueShield, accepts claims worldwide. Through the BlueCard Worldwide® program, you have access to medical assistance services, doctors and hospitals when living or traveling outside of the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information, explore the BlueCross and BlueShield Global webpage.
If you are adding family members to your coverage, you must provide valid dependent verification (officially translated in English) in order to document their eligibility. For more information, explore the HCA webpage.
Dental Insurance
Choose from two managed care plans and one preferred provider plan. Dental premiums for you and your eligible dependent(s) are fully paid by the UW. For more information, explore the Dental Plans page.
You have 31 days to select your dental plan. Outside of the U.S. your best plan option is Uniform Dental Plan (UDP) administered by Delta Dental/Washington Dental Service.
Vision Insurance
Choose from three vision plans. Vision premiums for you and your eligible dependent(s) are fully paid by UW. For more information, explore the Vision Plans webpage.
Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
The UW pays for your Employer-Paid LTD coverage which provides a 90day waiting period and a maximum benefit of $240 per month. Also available is Employee-Paid LTD, which provides a benefit of 60% of your eligible pre-disability earnings after a 90 day waiting period. For more information, explore the Long-Term Disability Insurance webpage.
Life, Accidental Death, and Dismemberment Insurance
The University provides each eligible employee with $35,000 of basic life insurance and $5,000 basic AD&D insurance at no cost. You also have the option to purchase additional insurance up to $500,000 with no Medical Evidence of Insurability, and to a maximum of $1,000,000 with Medical Evidence of Insurability. If you enroll in optional life insurance you may apply for amounts of optional life insurance for your spouse or state registered domestic partner and/or children. For more information, explore the Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance webpage.
Retirement
UW Retirement Plan (UWRP)
Academic staff, professional staff, or Faculty with at least a 50 percent UW paid appointment for six or more consecutive months have 30 days from their eligibility date to elect UWRP participation or be defaulted into the 24 month optional period.
UWRP is a Defined Contribution (DC) Plan under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 403(b). Employee contributions are tax-deferred, and the UW matches 100% of those contributions. Contribution levels are:
- 5% of regular earnings: Under age 35
- 7.5% of regular earnings: Age 35 and over
- 10% of regular earnings: Age 50 and over (optional)
You select your investments among the UWRP approved funds through our master administrator, Fidelity Investments. Note: Non-U.S. citizens cannot invest in Tier 3 annuity options with TIAACREF. As a life insurance company, they cannot sell their investments outside the US. For more information explore the UW Retirement Plan webpage.
UWRP is portable so you can keep the employee and employer contributions upon leaving UW employment.
UWRP & ITIN: If you do not initially have an ITIN (see “Banking” section below) you can still enroll in the UWRP. However upon termination of employment, an ITIN and a U.S.-based bank account will be required by the master administrator, Fidelity Investments. Fidelity can only transfer assets to intern
Voluntary Investment Program
Add to your retirement portfolio with the Voluntary Investment Program (VIP), an optional, unmatched retirement savings plan under Section 403(b) of the federal tax code. Use the VIP to tap into the tax advantages of pre-tax contributions, make Roth after-tax contributions to create a tax-free account for retirement, or use both contribution types. For more information, explore the UW Voluntary Investment Program webpage
Deferred Compensation Program
Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) is an additional optional, unmatched retirement savings program under IRC 457(b). New employees will automatically be enrolled in DCP three months after their start date. UW employees may participate in both VIP and DCP in the same tax year at the same time. For more information, explore the Deferred Compensation Program webpage.
Other Benefits
Holidays and Leave
The UW observes 11 paid holidays per calendar year, plus a personal paid holiday. Professional Staff employees accrue vacation and sick leave based on appointment level and years of service. For more information, explore the Professional Staff Program webpage.
Faculty and academic staff should review the Academic Human Resources website for information about faculty vacation and sick leave on the Time and Absence webpage.
Engagement Program
The Whole U is the University’s wellness and community engagement program that encompasses an amazing array of resources including discounts! Events, activities, and articles are curated around seven Whole U pillars: being active, eating well, staying healthy, financial fitness, volunteerism, life events/changes, and engaging personal interests. For more information, explore The Whole U webpage.
Professional & Organizational Development (POD)
POD offers a wide range of training courses, workshops, and online learning for leaders and staff. For more information, explore the Professional and Organizational Development webpage.
UW Payroll
UW foreign national employees who live and work outside of the U.S. do not receive U.S. tax forms. Visit UW Payroll’s website to get more information and forms related to foreign nationals.
Banking
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
An ITIN is a United States tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security Number. Individuals must file a valid federal income tax return to receive an ITIN, unless they meet an exception.
To effectively use your UW-provided benefits, both an ITIN and an account with a US-based bank are required. You can begin participation in your UW benefits without an ITIN. However, should you later terminate UW employment you will need an ITIN if you wish to transfer your UW Retirement Plan assets out of the plan or out of the US.
The UW is a Certified Acceptance Agent for the ITIN, and may be able to provide assistance to those able to come to the UW campus in person. To obtain an ITIN, email itin@uw.edu for assistance.
If you will not be coming to the UW campus in person, you can still receive some assistance by obtaining the forms and following the information from the FAQ referenced above, and filing your request directly with the IRS.
International Branches of U.S. Banks
Open an account with a U.S. financial institution located near you. Many countries have international branches of U.S. banks. If you are not familiar with those available in your country, contact your department administrator for assistance identifying U.S.-based banks. Otherwise one of our state’s credit union partners accepts online applications to establish an account. A notarized affidavit of identification may be required. Please have your ITIN, passport, and Husky ID card ready for this purpose.
Washington State Employees Credit Union can assist you either online or by calling 360-943-7911.
Transferring to a U.S. based appointment
Contact UW Benefits at 206-543-4444 orbenefits@uw.edu within 30 days of relocating to the U.S. to discuss expanded benefits available to you and your eligible dependents.