Your Eligibility for MIT Benefits

Find out what benefits you are eligible for as a member of the MIT community. Each eligibility chart includes links to the individual plans where you can get details.

Open enrollment

Find out what Open Enrollment is all about, so you can take full advantage of this important annual event.

Who is eligible

MIT's benefits plans are immediately available to all employees who are paid by MIT, who work 50% or more of the normal full-time work schedule and who have an eligible appointment. Use the charts below to confirm eligibility and enrollment requirements for specific plans.

Who is not eligible

  • contractor
  • affiliate
  • teaching or research assistant
  • honorary lecturer
  • summer appointment
  • non-MIT student program worker
  • international visiting student
  • member of the armed services assigned to MIT
  • family member not employed by MIT
  • work-study student
  • paid by MITemps

Visitors: If you are categorized as a visitor, you are not eligible for life insurance or retirement pension plans.

Postdocs: If you are a postdoctoral fellow, refer to the Benefits Eligibility for Postdoctoral Fellows chart.

Collective Bargaining Units: All plan provisions are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.

Enrollment is automatic in the following plans

Plan Length of Appointment Enrollment Schedule for Newly Hired and Newly Eligible Employees Enrollment Schedule for Eligible Existing Employees
MIT Basic Retirement 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Automatic on date of hire. Automatic on date of hire.
Basic Life Insurance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Automatic on date of hire. Automatic on date of hire.
Disability 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Automatic on date of hire. Automatic on date of hire.
Accident Insurance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Automatic on date of hire. Automatic on date of hire.

Enrollment is voluntary in the following plans

Plan Length of Appointment Enrollment Schedule for Newly Hired and Newly Eligible Employees Enrollment Schedule for Eligible Existing Employees
Health 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes only during Open Enrollment unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status.
Dental 9 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes only during Open Enrollment unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status.
Vision 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes only during Open Enrollment unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status.
Flexible Spending Accounts Health / Dependent Care 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes only during Open Enrollment unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status.
MIT Supplemental 401(k) 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes any time during your employment.
Supplemental Life Insurance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes any time during your employment (may have to provide evidence of good health).
Spouse and Dependent Life Insurance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes only during Open Enrollment unless you have an allowable change in family or employment status.
Long-term Care Insurance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll directly with John Hancock within 31 days of your date of hire or within 31 days of receipt of your "Welcome Letter," whichever is later. Enroll or make changes directly with John Hancock any time during your employment (may have to provide evidence of good health).
Tuition Assistance 1 year or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll any time during your employment. Enroll any time during your employment.
Children's Scholarship 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll any time during your employment, your benefit level depends upon hire date and position Enroll any time during your employment, your benefit level depends upon hire date and position
Educational Loan 1 year or longer of MIT service required Enroll any time after your first full year of employment. Tenured faculty may apply any time during their employment. Enroll any time after your first full year of employment. Tenured faculty may apply any time during their employment.
Adoption Assistance 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Apply when you adopt a child under the age of 18. Apply when you adopt a child under the age of 18.
Home & Auto Insurance Discount 3 months or longer at 50% or more of full-time work Enroll directly with MetLife any time during your employment. Enroll or make changes directly with MetLife any time during your employment.

 

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