April 23, 2024Dear Postdocs and Associate Research Scholars,As you consider unionization, we thought it would be helpful for you to have in one place comprehensive information about thecompensation and array of benefits available to you at Princeton University.What to Know About Princeton’s Compensation and Benefits for Postdocs and Associate Research ScholarsAs University employees, you have access to a full complement of support and services as part of your compensation package, including healthcare, childcare assistance for prekindergarten-aged children of up to $6,500 per child, transportation subsidies, legal services, and retirement plans.Princeton’s community of postdocs and associate research scholars are also eligible to receive numerous other benefits that are not detailed here. You can always browse what major benefits are available to you using the Human Resources Benefits Eligibility Tool. Use the drop-down menu on the page to sort benefits by your employment classification.SalaryPrinceton’s minimum annual salary for postdocs is $65,000, nearly 20% higher than the National Institutes of Health minimum. The Princeton minimum has been in place for over a year (since February 2023). The average value of the annual compensation package of a Princeton postdoc making the minimum salary is $150,000 including benefits.Postdocs receive increases at the time of their annual reappointment; and as of July 1, 2024, their salaries will be scaled according to their years of post-Ph.D. experience. Additionally, many Principal Investigators pay above the University scale.HealthcarePrinceton University offers comprehensive health insurance options providing you the flexibility to select the coverage that best meets your medical needs. You have the opportunity to elect medical, dental, and vision care coverage either during the annual Open Enrollment period or if you experience a Qualifying Status Event, such as a marriage, divorce, or birth of a child, etc.A variety of healthcare plans are available for individuals and families, including vision and dental benefits, along with health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts.If you are a new employee or unfamiliar with the United States healthcare system, Princeton offers virtual orientation sessions to help you understand your healthcare benefits.All Princeton medical plans include prescription drug coverage.Princeton’s vision plan includes a comprehensive vision exam every year, two pairs of prescription eyeglasses annually or a contact lens allowance.Regardless of whether your health insurance is through Princeton, you and your eligible dependents have access to 2nd.MD at no cost for second opinions on medical issues.You and your family members, including parents and in-laws, also can take advantage of Health Advocate, which helps patients to understand and navigate the healthcare system.Legal ServicesMetLife Legal Plans provides access to legal representation or advice, and to confidential legal assistance for only $12.80 per month. You can use this service for any of your legal needs, including immigration issues, wills, trusts, debt matters, defense of civil lawsuits and more. You must elect this plan during Open Enrollment to access the benefit.TransportationPrinceton offers generous transportation benefits to assist with commuting and commuter expenses, including: A 50% subsidy for monthly passes on public transportation, including trains, buses, subways and ferries.A NJ Transit Bus Pass program that provides an unlimited, complimentary monthly bus pass to employees who don’t drive to work.Free parking in campus lots, as well as free electric vehicle charging, for those driving their own vehicles.Rideshare matching, including carpools and vanpools from several locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania through Revise Your Ride. This service was extended in February 2023 to the high number of postdocs living in Plainsboro, New Jersey.A Commuter Benefits Program that enables you to deduct monthly commuting expenses before taxes to use for public transportation, including trains, buses, subways or vanpools. You may sign up for this benefit on a monthly basis.Childcare and CaregivingThe Employee Childcare Assistance Program (ECCAP) provides generous financial assistance of up to $6,500 per child for up to three children to help meet the cost of childcare for prekindergarten-aged children. Eligibility and award amounts vary based on household income.Employees may receive up to eight weeks of paid leave for bonding with one's own newborn child, or newly placed foster child, adopted child, or legal ward.Princeton is a family-friendly community with on-site resources for childcare including the University NOW Day Nursery(UNOW) and Campus Rec’s Summer Day Camp. Discounts are also available to University employees at several local childcare centers.Bright Horizons Back-up Care Program provides backup care when there are disruptions in your child, adult, and/or elder caregiving arrangements that would otherwise prevent you from fulfilling work obligations. You receive 100 hours of backup care each calendar year, which also can be used to cover gaps in care when attending meetings and conferences.Mental Health and WellnessThe Carebridge Employee Assistance Program offers consultations, assistance and referrals for work, personal or family issues, including anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, substance abuse, and more at no charge to you. In addition, Carebridge provides unlimited referral services for child- and eldercare, legal matters, relocation, and education planning.Your children aged 18 months through 17 years enrolled in a Princeton medical plan have access to Brightline for virtual therapy and coaching.Discounted gym memberships are available through Campus Rec at Dillon Gym, which includes the 8,000-square-foot Stephens Fitness Center.Retirement PlansThe University offers two retirement plans to help University employees reach their financial goals. Under these retirement plans, you choose how you want your contributions and the University’s contributions to be invested among a variety of investment funds.The Princeton University Retirement Savings Plan is a 403(b) defined contribution plan that allows you to save money for your financial future. You contribute to your account on a pre-tax and/or after-tax basis subject to IRS limits. You are always 100% vested in your contributions. The Princeton University Retirement Plan (PURP) is a 401(a) qualified retirement savings plan. The University makes contributions to the PURP on an employee’s behalf, calculated as a percentage of your base salary, to your account after each pay period. You must work 50% duty time for four-and-a-half months of the year to be eligible for this plan. You become fully vested in the plan after 30 months of service.For additional information about benefits and the many programs and resources that are available to postdocs and associate research scholars, please contact Karen Haskin, associate dean for academic affairs, or Tithi Basu Mallik, assistant dean for postdoctoral affairs.Remember to vote. For or against unionization, your voice matters.In-person voting for the postdoc/associate research scholar unionization election will be held:Wednesday, May 8, and Thursday, May 9, 20249 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.Frist Campus Center, Room 302Best,GJ------Gene Andrew JarrettDean of the FacultyWilliam S. Tod Professor of EnglishPrinceton University
