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SPEC Kit 320: Core Benefits · 19
now, will increase over time. Prescription, hospitalization, cancer, and intensive care unit coverage through the
offered group health plans is extremely common. Surprisingly, long-term care is consistently excluded from
health plans and, even when considering coverage through supplemental plans, unavailable to a significant
percentage of library employees.
A high percentage of respondents offer Flexible Spending Accounts, and a surprisingly low percentage offer
HSA, HRA, or other plans. However, the employer contributions are most typical for HSA and HRA plans.
The average for annual contributions to these plans by employers was surprisingly high, particularly for FSA’s
for dependent care, with employer contributions averaging $1,805.
Interestingly, for life, ADD, health, dental, and vision insurance, the employee’s cost for coverage for spouses
and domestic partners is usually equivalent.

SPEC Kit 320: Core Benefits · 21
SURVEY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
The SPEC survey on Core Benefits was designed by Brian W. Keith, Assistant Dean, Human and Financial
Resources, University of Florida. These results are based on data submitted by 56 of the 124 ARL member
libraries (45%) by the deadline of April 23, 2010. The survey’s introductory text and questions are reproduced
below, followed by the response data and selected comments from the respondents.
In 2009, ARL surveyed the member libraries on sick, vacation, and holiday leave, and financial support and leave for professional
development, employee education and training, and internships—benefits over which library administrators would typically have
some plan design authority. The focus of this companion survey is on the core benefits of retirement, and life, health, and other
insurance—benefits that are typically decided by the parent institution and often have significant governmental regulation. Results
of this survey should help identify the range of retirement and insurance benefits offered and enhance the complete picture of
benefits for library staff.
This survey is intended for the library human resource officers or other administrative employees (library or institutional) responsible
for managing the various benefits available to library staff employed by their institution. It is likely that an accurate and complete
response to this survey will require the respondent to reference benefit descriptions, plan documents, and other related materials or
in some cases to consult with benefits experts at the parent institution.
BACKGROUND
1. Are library staff offered any of the following types of benefits? N=56
Yes No
Retirement 56 —
Life and/or accidental death &dismemberment insurance 55 1
Health insurance 56 —