Explore employee benefits you might not know about

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

The University of Iowa wants to support its employees in ways that matter. In addition to exceptional health and retirement benefits, you have access to a variety of other programs and resources - including some offered through trusted external partners. These options are here to help with your well-being, financial health, and work-life balance. In this article, you'll find a snapshot of what's available - including some benefits you might not know about - and where to go if you'd like to learn more.

Catastrophic Leave

Catastrophic Leave helps employees continue to receive pay if they experience a serious medical condition or need to care for an immediate family member, and is available after all paid leave has been used.

Employees may be eligible if the university's definition of a catastrophic illness or injury is met and results in an extended absence from work.

Employees can:

• Apply for Catastrophic Leave after all available paid leave has been used, including sick leave, vacation, and compensatory time
• Donate accrued vacation leave to support eligible coworkers

Vacation leave is the only type of leave that can be donated. Donations may be directed to a specific employee or made available to eligible employees in need. Applications and medical documentation are kept confidential.

Dental Pre-Doctoral Incentive Program

The Pre-Doctoral Incentive Program helps eligible employees and their covered dependents enrolled in Delta Dental II reduce out-of-pocket dental costs for eligible services.

Care is provided through the UI College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics' student clinics, where supervised dental students provide care as part of their clinical training.

Through the program:

• Covered services are paid at 100%, up to the annual plan maximum
• Copayments or deductibles do not apply to covered services

Appointments may take longer due to the teaching environment. Contact the college with questions or to learn more about the program.

In more complex cases, patients may be referred to resident or faculty clinics which may involve higher fees and will not qualify for the Pre-Doctoral Incentive Program. Please check with the College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics' business office to see if your treatment plan qualifies.

Childcare and New Parent Resources

Work-Life offers resources to connect employees to local childcare options, including:

• Tools to search for licensed childcare centers, preschools, and home-based providers near home or work
• Back-up childcare options for well children in a center-based setting
• Summer programs guide for school-aged children
• An interactive map of lactation rooms across campus and health care locations

These resources are designed to support working families and help employees find care that fits their needs. Employees are encouraged to evaluate providers to determine the best fit for their family.

Elder Caregiving Resources

Employees caring for aging family members can access elder caregiving support through UI Work-Life.

In partnership with LivWell Seniors, employees have access to no-cost guidance and support to help navigate elder care options.

Support may include:

• Information and referrals for care providers and services
• Guidance on care planning and decision-making
• One-on-one consultations with a senior resource specialist
• In-home assessments and personalized care plans

These services help employees navigate care options and plan for changing needs.

liveWELL: Personal Health Assessment

The Personal Health Assessment (PHA) is a confidential, online tool that helps employees better understand their overall health and well-being.

The PHA:

• Takes about 10 minutes to complete and covers areas such as physical health, mental well-being, stress, sleep, and other lifestyle habits
• Provides a personalized report with timely insights on potential health risks and areas for improvement, while identifying specific campus resources for support
• Gains access to the Recreation Membership Incentive Program and many other free well-being programs like health coaching, personal training, and mindfulness courses.

Completing the PHA is required to earn liveWELL points and qualify for certain incentives. It also connects employees to university programs, resources, and benefits that support next steps based on individual needs and goals.

UI Rideshare

UI Rideshare, offered through Parking and Transportation, is an online commute-matching system that helps employees find shared transportation with others traveling to and from campus.

Through the program, employees can:

• Find carpool matches based on schedule and location
• Explore vanpool options
• Share commuting costs and reduce the number of vehicles traveling to campus

The program can be used for daily commuting or occasional trips.

380 Express

The 380 Express is a regional bus service between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids for employees who commute between the two communities.

For UI employees:

• Discounted passes are available through UI Parking and Transportation
• Options include single-ride passes, multi-ride, and monthly passes
• Service operates on a regular weekday schedule with designated stops in both cities

This option can help reduce commuting costs and provide an alternative to driving.

Employee Discount Program

UI employees have access to discounts and offers from local and national businesses through the Employee Discount Program.

Categories may include:

• Dining and food
• Health and wellness
• Technology and electronics
• Travel and accommodation

Offers change regularly, so employees are encouraged to check back for updates.

Learn More

Eligibility and participation in these benefits vary by program. Visit the program pages or contact the appropriate office for details on how to get started.

Exploring these programs can help you take full advantage of the benefits and resources available to you as UI employees.