The state mandates that any position (except for a student assistant or a graduate student position) with an FTE of 50% and assignment dates equal to or greater than 4.5 months are eligible for benefits.
- Hourly/temporary positions are not excluded from this rule.
- If an hourly/temporary employee works more than 20 hours per week for 4.5 months or longer, TWU must collect TRS (Teacher Retirement System) from the first date of the assignment. In this scenario, we must enroll the employee in TRS. At this point, the employee is also eligible for insurance.
To summarize, the key to benefits eligibility is remembering the following and reviewing the four examples listed below:
50% (20 hours per week) + 4.5 months = TRS Enrollment and Insurance Benefits Eligibility
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1:
Non- Benefits Eligible Hourly Position – Coaches Assistant
Hire date: 06/01/2024
End date: 08/31/2024
FTE: 50%
This position is not benefits-eligible if they only work these three months at the 50% FTE.
Scenario 2:
Benefits Eligible Hourly position - Model
Hire date 01/16/2024
End date: 08/31/2024
FTE: .50%
This position is benefits-eligible. Therefore, we must collect TRS and offer insurance benefits.
Scenario 3:
Non-Benefits Eligible Hourly position - Sr. HR Generalist
Hire Date: 02/01/2024
End Date: 02/29/2024
FTE 1.0
This position is not benefits eligible if this person does not return for the remainder of the fiscal year. The department would not be required to pay benefits because the assignment is less than 4 and ½ months. However, benefits would be required if the assignment reaches 4 and ½ months.
Scenario 4:
Benefits Eligible - Sr. HR Generalist
Hire date: 09/01/2023
End Date: 03/01/2024
FTE 1.0
In this scenario, we must collect TRS starting 09/01/2023 and offer insurance benefits because the assignment is greater than 4.5 months within the fiscal year.
If you have questions regarding benefits eligibility, please contact Angela Cagle at acagle@twu.edu or Brenda Villarreal at bvillarreal1@twu.edu.