• Leaves of absence
• Time off
• Life Solutions: Pitt's employee assistance program
• Wellness for Life

Pitt offers education benefits to faculty, librarians, research associates, post-doctoral associates, post-doctoral scholars, staff, their spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children. This benefit is available at the Pittsburgh campus and all regional campuses. Learn more about the education benefit.

The Defined Contribution Plan is the retirement savings plan offered to newly hired and current employees and offers a robust University match of 150% for contributions between 3-8% after an employee becomes vested. Find more information about the retirement savings plan.

Pitt offers a variety of additional benefit offerings--including programs, services, and resources, to help our employees attain and maintain a healthy, balanced life style.

• PittPerks
  • ​Group home and automobile insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Identity theft
  • MetLife supplemental medical coverage
  • Discounts
• Financial and Legal Resources
  • GreenPath: Finance and debt management services
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • Savi: Student loan assistance
  • MetLife Legal Services (via PittPerks)
  • Employee Emergency Fund
• Child and Family Care Resources
  • Care.com: Network of providers for dependent care
  • University Child Development Center
  • Caring for family at all stages of life
  • Parents-to-be and new parents

Employee benefits eligibility varies based on an individual’s employment classifications (i.e., job type, full-time equivalence). Additionally, dependent coverage eligibility varies based on relationship type and applicable documentation. Review the Documentation Requirements for Dependents page for more information.

Pitt offers health and wellness plans, retirement savings plans, and COBRA coverage for faculty and staff, including step-by-step instructions on how to make changes to current Benefits coverage. Explore the Benefits Provisions page for plan summaries and additional information.

As a new employee of the University of Pittsburgh, you will need to enroll in benefits through Pitt Worx. Get started in the benefits enrollment process for newly hired staff and faculty. 

Benefits premiums for health and welfare coverage are deducted from the employee’s paycheck. These deductions can occur on a pre-tax or after-tax basis depending on the election and employee’s job category. Review the Benefits Premium Collections page for more information about premium collections and the taxation of certain benefits.

You can make changes to your benefits elections if you experience a life event (Qualified Status Change). A life event is an IRS qualified event that allows you to make a change in your enrollment elections during the plan year (outside of the open enrollment period). Review the list of the University’s recognized life events (Qualified Status Changes) and instructions on how to make a status change to your benefit selections.

Benefits coverage can be verified by logging into Pitt Worx (how-to guide), where you can confirm the benefits you are currently enrolled in, as well as review past benefits. In order to request benefits, you must send a verification letter to the Benefits department.

Benefits through the University of Pittsburgh continue until the last day of the month in which the individual works*. If the individual’s final paycheck does not have sufficient funds to collect benefit premiums, a missed deductions invoice will be issued. COBRA coverage will be available to faculty and staff whose current coverage has been terminated.

*Please note, the last day of coverage for employees with less than annual payroll assignments (i.e., grandfathered 04/04, 08/08, 09/09, or 10/10 pay types) may vary based on spring term double deductions. These individuals can use the Contact OHR form to verify their last day of coverage.

Please visit the Benefits Coverage Verification and Coverage Termination page for more information.

We understand that the loss of a loved one can be difficult. In the event of the death of a family member that is employed at the University of Pittsburgh, the Benefits Department has developed resources to assist the surviving family member. Learn more about survivorship benefits.