As an employee of both UWF and the State of Florida, you are offered a comprehensive list of employee benefits. 

For over 60 years, The Gabor Agency has assisted employees of state universities in understanding and choosing the benefit options that are right for each individual’s situation.  Our representatives visit the campus daily and are available to meet with you personally to discuss your investment and benefit options.

Voluntary Benefits

LIFE INSURANCE

Various forms of life insurance are available through payroll deduction such as Universal Life, Variable Universal Life, and Level Term Life Insurance. Gabor representatives are trained as professionals to evaluate the needs and recommend the most cost effective choice of coverage for each individual’s situation. All of the following plans are offered guaranteed issue to new employees during the first 60 days of employment or during periodic open enrollments. An employee may purchase any of these plans at any time by providing evidence of insurability.

Symetra Life Insurance Company

This program is offered guaranteed issue to all new full-time employees up to four times their annual salary, with a maximum limit of $250,000. Symetra also offers up to $25,000 on a guaranteed issue basis to spouses.

The program is fully portable at the same rate upon termination of employment or retirement.

GROUP TERM LIFE

Group Term Life is low cost term life insurance available through payroll deduction and offered guaranteed issue to new employees during their first 60 days of employment or during periodic open enrollments.

Underwritten by UNUM Life Insurance Company.  This program is offered guaranteed issue to new employees up to three times their annual salary, with a maximum limit of $150,000. Employee spouses are also eligible for guaranteed coverage up to $25,000. This coverage may be continued at retirement up to $20,000 if payroll deducted through FRS.

GROUP DISABILITY

Disability coverage provides benefits equal to 66 2/3% of your basic monthly earnings, less your benefits from other income, subject to a maximum benefit $9,000 per month. You will be eligible for a Monthly Annuity Supplement Benefit if you are insured under this plan for at least three (3) months prior to the date of your disability, and are continuously disabled for a minimum of six (6) months. The Annuity Supplement Benefit will be in addition to your regular Monthly Benefit, and will equal 11% of your monthly Pre-Disability Earnings.

Underwritten by UNUM Life Insurance Company.  Offered guaranteed issue to all new full-time employees and periodically through an open enrollment to all existing employees. The premium for the 90-day elimination period option is $.61 per $100 of covered monthly salary; for an additional $.33 per $100 of covered monthly salary, you can begin receiving benefits a full 60 days earlier in the event of a disability. 

This coverage is not convertible upon termination of employment or retirement.

LONG TERM CARE

ACCIDENTAL DEATH & DISMEMBERMENT

AD&D is a very low cost supplemental coverage that provides benefits in the event of an accidental death or dismemberment. Coverage is 24 hours a day, on or off the job. This includes emergency travel assistance coverage while an insured employee is traveling more than 100 miles from their home either on business or for pleasure.

Underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company. The program is offered guaranteed issue to all new full-time employees.

This coverage is not convertible upon termination of employment or retirement.

State Retirement Options

During your first 90 days of employment you must make a decision on your state retirement. Most University faculty and administrators have three options to choose from, ORP, FRS pension plan and the FRS investment plan. Gabor representatives are on campus daily and will help advise you on which option will best meet your retirement needs.

Option 1:

OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM

The contribution is invested in the company or companies selected by the participant to create a fund for the purchase of annuities at retirement. The participant may contribute by tax-deferred salary reduction an amount not to exceed the percentage contributed by the university to the participant’s annuity account. 

Option 2:

FRS PENSION PLAN

The FRS Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan, in which you are promised a benefit at retirement if you meet certain criteria. The amount of your future benefit is determined by a formula, based on your earnings, length of service, and membership class, and is adjusted by a 3% cost-of-living each July after retirement. Your benefit is pre-funded by contributions paid by your employer. The Florida Retirement System must ensure that sufficient funds are available when your benefits are due and bears the market risk and investment decisions.

DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program)

DROP allows you to retire without terminating your employment for up to 5 years while your retirement benefits accumulate and earn interest compounded monthly at an effective annual rate of 6.5%. This program is available to eligible members of the Florida Retirement System who are in the FRS Pension Plan.

Option 3:

FRS INVESTMENT PLAN

The FRS Investment Plan is a defined contribution plan, in which employer contributions are defined by law, but your ultimate benefit depends in part on the performance of your investment funds.

The FRS Investment Plan is funded by employer contributions that are based on your salary and your FRS membership class (Regular Class, Special Risk Class, etc.). The Investment Plan directs contributions to individual member accounts, and you allocate your contributions and account balance among various investment funds. (Participant contributions are not allowed.)

Your Investment Plan retirement benefit is the value of your account at termination. Unlike the Pension Plan, there is no fixed benefit level at retirement. However, a guaranteed lifetime payment option (based on the benefit to be distributed) can be purchased and is available with annual 3% benefit increases, like the Pension Plan.

When an employee terminates their employment, they may withdrawal funds by a lump-sum payment, a direct rollover, or a partial lump-sum payment and rollover. 

Employee Voluntary Retirement Options

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES/ROTH 403(B)

Special tax-saving opportunities under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code are available to employees of educational institutions, even if they are contributing to an IRA or Deferred Compensation (IRC 457) plan.  This plan allows employees to shelter a portion of their annual income by electing to have pre-taxed funds deducted bi-weekly from their paycheck.  We provide many programs, which include variable annuities, fixed annuities, and Mutual Funds through various insurance and Mutual Fund companies. 

A Roth 403(b) is a tax-sheltering/savings plan intended to supplement retirement income.  No additional taxation will occur at withdrawal of the annuity, but your contributions are with after-tax dollars. Employees may enroll at any time through various annuity companies. 

RETIREMENT PLANNING

We offer a full range of retirement investment services and products such as, Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, Tax-sheltered Annuities, 529 plans and Mutual Funds. 

Our fully trained staff includes Chartered Life Underwriters, Chartered Financial Consultants, Certified Financial Planners, Certified Public Accountants, and Tax Attorneys.

MUTUAL FUNDS

We offer a wide range of mutual fund companies to employees who wish to contribute either to their 403(b) account, IRA, or non-qualified investment portfolio.

For additional coverage information, click here to have a Gabor representative contact you.