Helping You Be Prepared

As part of the Duquesne family, eligible faculty and staff members enjoy comprehensive benefits that help you take care of yourself and your family. These include medical, dental, flexible spending counts, life insurance and long-term disability. 

You can support your physical, mental and financial health by taking advantage of our on-campus workout facility, wellness programs and tuition benefits. We also care about your future—as an employee, you'll be immediately 100% vested into a retirement plan.

Be Prepared: 2024-2025 Open Enrollment

2024-2025 Benefits Overview Guide

New Improvements: Make the Most of Your Benefits

We're here to help you understand changes and improvements to our benefits offerings. Learn about these new features, and all of our benefit plan options, at the Benefits Fair on May 15.

During the benefits fair on May 15, Benefits Counselors will be available to help you navigate the open enrollment process and benefit selection.
Accidents happen. Accident Insurance pays benefits directly to you if you or a covered family member suffers a covered injury.  The plan covers a wide variety of injuries and accident-related expenses, including:
  • Injury treatment (fractures, dislocations, concussions, burns, lacerations to name a few)
  • Hospitalizations
  • Physical Therapy
  • Emergency Room Treatment
  • Transportation 
Critical Illness Insurance provides a lump sum payment directly to you if you or a covered family member is diagnosed with a covered illness.  This benefit is paid IN ADDITION to any other insurance coverage you may have.

Covered illnesses include:
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Major organ transplant
  • Others
Hospital Indemnity Insurance pays for accident and sickness upon admittance to a hospital - includes pregnancy.

Plan Features and potential payout:
  • Guaranteed Acceptance:  There are no health questions or physical exams required.
  • Payout for hospital admission
  • Additional payout based on number of days in hospital.
  • Payout for both mother and newborn hospital stay.
Smile. United Concordia is your new dental plan provider for the 2024-2025 plan year.

United Concordia offers a nationwide network that makes it easy to find an in-network dentist.
  • Enjoy lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Elite Plus in-network dentists
Learn more about your dental plans, and find an in-network dentist, by visiting United Concordia's dedicated Duquesne University Corner.
CVS Caremark now manages the prescription benefit plan for ALL medical plans (Highmark and UPMC HDHP, Highmark PPO and UPMC EPO plan.)

Where do I get my medication?
  • You can pick up your medication at any pharmacy in the network.
  • Our benefit plan also offers delivery by mail.

Use your resources to help save on prescription drug costs.
  • You can compare costs, and manage your prescriptions via Caremark.com and the CVS Caremark mobile app (add link to mobile app flyer).
  • Find a network pharmacy to keep prescription costs as low as possible.
  • CVS Caremark provides prescription delivery by mail (insert flyer).
  • CVS Caremark can help you best manage your specialized medications with CVS Specialty. (insert flyer)
Take time out to get to know your prescription benefits.
Life insurance is important for several reasons.
  • Financial security for loved ones
  • Income replacement for your loved ones
  • Funeral expenses
  • Estate Planning
  • Peace of mind
To assist employees in providing these types of protections the University offers term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage at no cost to eligible employees.

The University also offers supplemental life insurance for yourself, your spouse and eligible children. During open enrollment, you may elect additional coverage up to the guaranteed issue amount without providing evidence of insurability (health condition information).
Wellness in Motion is an engaging health and welllness program designed to improve Duquesne's medical plan members health, well-being and productivity.

The University has partnered with Highmark, UPMC and The Center for Pharmacy Care to offer this program.

Members can earn Wellness in Motion Dollars for each wellness activity that is completed.

Highmark PPO members receive Wellness in Motion Dollars in a health reimbursement account (HRA). Dollars in this account are automatically applied to medical deductibles and co-insurance.

UPMC EPO members receive Wellness in Motion Dollars on on UPMC Consumer Advantage debit card.  Participating members will receive this card shortly after the start of the plan year.  This card can be used for services that go toward the deductible and co-insurance.

Employees and their participating spouse can each earn up to $300 in Wellness in Motion Dollars.

Check-out the Duquesene University portal for more detail.


Retirement Plan

Duquesne University is committed to employee financial well-being, offering a retirement plan that helps employees prepare for and build long-term financial security.

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All eligible employees have the opportunity to participate as a voluntary member of the plan. Employees may be required to participate in the plan as a condition of employment (refer to below chart).

Duquesne University's Match Contribution
The University offers a match. Eligibility for the match is based on employment status as outlined in the chart below. 

Retirement Eligibility
Retirement Plan Eligibility

Log In or Enroll in Retirement Plan
Can I rollover monies from a previous employer plan?
Yes, the Duquesne University plan will accept rollovers from other pre-tax sources. 

What is the maximum amount that I can contribute?
Federal tax law limits the amount you can contribute. The limit for calendar year 2023 is $22,500 with an additional $7,500 catch-up for those age 50 and above.

Are the any other voluntary contribution options?
Yes, employees have the ability to contribute their own money to a University sponsored Roth 403(b) Plan.  Eligible employees have he option of electing after-tax contributions through payroll deductions into the Roth 403(b) voluntary contribution option under the Duquesne University 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.

Are there any loan features associated with the Duquesne University Retirement Plan?
Yes, employees may take a maximum of two loans based on all accumulations.
As a Duquesne University employee, a key part of your compensation and future security is your retirement plan. 
  • The Duquesne University Plan provides matching funds toward your own contributions, if you are an eligible employee. 
  • Both University and employee contributions are immediately vested, and the plan is 100% portable if you leave.
  • You are eligible to receive the matching funds following your one-year anniversary.
  • The one-year waiting period may be waived if you have previously worked at a qualifying educational institution and worked in a qualifying position. To verify eligibility complete the Prior Year of Service Form.

The Roth 403(b) is a part of the University's retirement plan and provides eligible employees with an option to make voluntary contributions on an after-tax basis.

What is a 457(b) plan? The University also offers a 457(b) Retirement plan for eligible employees. This plan is a non-qualified, tax advantaged, deferred compensation retirement plan that is used to provide an additional opportunity for pre-tax contributions for eligible employees. 

The salary threshold to participate in this plan must meet the IRS definition of a highly compensated individual.  For 2024 the IRS definition of a highly compensated individual is $155,000.

For more information about this plan please reach out to the Benefits Office or a TIAA financial advisor at 800-732-8353.

Department of Labor regulations require the University to provide detailed information about investment options and expenses associated with these investments.

The disclosure gives plan participants a complete picture of all the funds and associated expenses available. The disclosure is for informational purposes only.

The information includes:

  • Fees and expenses related to the plan account
  • Participant rights under the plan
  • Rules related to providing investment direction
  • Details about the plan's investment options, including investment-related feeds and restrictions.