UMKCRA Benefits Committee Report
February 2, 2011
Benefits Committee – The Committee developed and distributed to the UMKCRA members a
survey designed to assess the value of the current benefits and to determine what new benefits
might be of value to the members.
The survey was divided into three sections. The first section was designed to assess the
frequency of use of the current benefits (as listed on the UMKC Retirees website). The second
section sought input on the value of potential new benefits generated from suggestions provided
by UMKCRA members and from web surveys of benefits offered by other university retirees
associations. The third section provided details on the current benefits to UMKCRA members.
The survey was distributed by mail in November 2010. One hundred and eighteen completed
surveys were returned and included in the analysis of results.
A summary of the results of the survey is included in Table 1 on the following page, which lists
the current benefits ranked by the number of responses indicating “frequently used/yes” and
potential new benefits ranked by the number of responses to “definitely interested”. The most
frequently used current benefit is “Free campus parking” followed by “UMKC email account.”
Other frequently used benefits include “Discount at the Repertory Theater,” and “Discount at
Dental School Faculty Practice.” The least frequently used benefit was “Discount at the UMKC
bookstore,” which received only two responses of “frequently used” and sixty seven responses
of “not used.” Pages 3 and 4 contain a complete list of all responses to the survey and
Appendix 1 contains the comments submitted by the members. Appendix 2 lists the current
benefits available to retirees.
New benefits of interest to the members included “Attending a program about health benefits,”
which was the most cited as “definitely interested,” followed by “Additional discounts at stores
in Kansas City,” “Seminars on a variety of topics,” and “Field Trips.” In response to the
question if members would be willing to pay for the cost of transportation or other costs of field
trips, the majority of respondents indicated “yes, up to $20.”
The next steps for using the results of the survey are to identify those benefits that could be
changed or added to better meet the interests and needs of the members and to develop an
implementation plan to add these to the list of current benefits.
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Table 1
UMKCRA Survey Results 2011
Frequent use of current benefits (ranked by number of responses to “frequently
used”)
a)
Free campus parking: 44
b)
UMKC email account: 41
c)
Discount at the Repertory Theater: 27
d)
Discount at Dental School Faculty Practice: 24
e)
Free library card/use of library computers: 14
f)
Discount at Conservatory performances: 12
g)
Educational assistance program : 7
h)
Discount at athletic events: 3
i)
Discount at the UMKC bookstore: 2
Interest in potential benefits (ranked by the number of responses to “definitely
interested/Yes”):
a) Attending a program about health benefits: 51
b) Additional discounts at stores in Kansas City: 41
c) Seminars on a variety of topics, e.g. technology, financial planning: 33
d) Field trips to museums: 33
e) Field trips to cultural events/arts: 32
f) If the field trips are of interest to you, would you be willing to pay for
transportation or other costs? Yes, up to $20: 48
g) Tuition reduction for dependents of retirees: 28
h) Attending wellness programs: 18
i) Field trips to athletic events: 8
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UMKCRA Survey with included Responses
The UMKC Retirees Association is distributing this survey to collect feedback about the use of
our current benefits and to obtain suggestions for additional benefits that you would like to
receive. We would appreciate you completing this survey and returning the two pages with the
survey in the self-addressed envelope. Additional information about the Retirees Association
may be found at this website: http://www.umkc.edu/umkcra
1.
How often do you use the following benefits that are currently available to retirees?
Details on these benefits are listed on the last two pages.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
Free campus parking:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
44
48
26
Free library card/use of library computers:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
14
26
78
Discount at athletic events:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
3
17
99
Discount at Dental School Faculty Practice:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
24
13
81
Discount at Conservatory performances:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
12
35
70
Educational assistance program (taking courses without paying fees):
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
7
12
96
Discount at the Repertory Theater:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
27
40
50
Discount at the UMKC bookstore:
frequently used
occasionally used
not used
2
47
67
UMKC email account
frequently used
41
occasionally used
8
3
not used
67
UMKCRA Survey Results
2.
Listed below are potential benefits that currently are not available to retirees. Please
provide your opinion about these.
a.
Additional discounts at stores in Kansas City:
maybe
44
not interested
24
b.
definitely interested
41
Field trips to museums:
not interested
33
c.
definitely interested
maybe
33
45
Field trips to cultural events/arts:
not interested
73
d.
definitely interested
8
Field trips to athletic events:
e.
maybe
25
definitely interested
maybe
not interested
8
25
73
If the field trips are of interest to you, would you be willing to pay
for transportation or other costs?
No, would only attend if free
12
f.
h.
i.
Yes, up to $40
27
Yes, for longer trips, up to $100
23
Seminars on a variety of topics, e.g. technology, financial planning:
definitely interested
33
g.
Yes, up to $20
48
Attending wellness programs:
definitely interested
18
maybe
51
not interested
25
maybe
53
not interested
38
Attending a program about health benefits:
definitely interested
maybe
51
35
Tuition reduction for dependents of retirees:
definitely interested
maybe
28
11
4
not interested
22
not interested
71
Appendix 1
Comments from Respondents:
What other comments/suggestions do you have regarding current or possible future
benefits for retirees?
RE: UMKC Email accounts: Used this benefit a lot until this past summer when I was no
longer allowed to use it. I think this is a very good benefit that could be provided to
retirees at minimal cost to the university.
1/2 year gym price for snow birds, Lectures on computer use in the summer
RE: Educational Assistance Program: I did not know this was available.
Our interests are mainly cultural/literary. Discussion of health and monetary matter are
welcome. Perhaps a series.
I am especially interested in research seminars and programs in the KC region and at
UMKC.
Improved Heath Insurance!! Increase in Retirement Amount!
(still employed part time, so pay for parking)
Ron - Happy Holidays - Since we spend 6 months in FLA my use chart is somewhat
shewed. If we were in KC more, we would undoubtedly use more. The "occasionally
used" category would be "frequent."
Thank you for the meetings, the newsletter, and programs. Appreciated survey! At
the meetings, the hospitality services are very good. RE: UMKC Email account: Isn't
this only for emeriti faculty? Would be helpful to extend this to all professional
academic staff with UMKC activities and involvement.
RE: UMKC Email accounts: Used this benefit a lot until this past summer when I was
no longer allowed to use it. I think this is a very good benefit that could be provided to
retirees at minimal cost to the university.
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Appendix 2
Special UMKC Benefits currently available to UMKC Retirees
The following special benefits are available to UMKC retirees. A retiree ID card may be
required. If so, contact David Babcock (supervisor of the ID Office), Room 104 U-Center to
obtain a retiree ID card.
Prices and availability of these special benefits are subject to change, so please call or visit the
appropriate office location to verify the current benefit details. Information about office
locations, programs and hours of operation can be found at www.umkc.edu.
Computer Access
Retirees may use a computer as a guest, without charge, in the Reference Room of the Miller
Nichols Library. Retirees who are working on University-related matters as a volunteer or parttime employee may obtain temporary access at various computers on campus by applying to
Lisen Tammeus, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni and Constituent Relations,
Administrative Center.
Conservatory of Music and Dance
4949 Cherry Street, Performing Arts Center Central Ticket Office: 816-235-6222. Conservatory
Emeriti Faculty may receive two free tickets to all Signature Series events. All other retirees
may purchase tickets at half price (limit two per event.)
Dental Facilities
Retirees may obtain a 5% discount on all major dental treatments performed at the School of
Dentistry, Dental Faculty Practice, 650 East 25th Street, Room 277, 816-235-2121. Call for an
appointment.
Educational Assistance Program
University policy permits retirees to take courses free of educational and student activities fees.
Retirees must pay special fees, book expenses and other costs. To register, complete a UMUW
Form 177, available from Human Resources, 5115 Oak, Room 226, 816-235-1622, and submit
it to the UMKC Cashier. This privilege is on a space-available basis and is limited to six hours
per semester.
Kansas City Repertory Theatre
4949 Cherry Street, Performing Arts Center, 816-235-2700. Retirees receive half-price season
tickets or a $3 discount on regular price for individual tickets.
Libraries
Retirees may use all UMKC libraries free of charge, including the privilege of checking out
items available for check out.
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Office Space
Retirees who continue to teach part time, conduct University-related research, or volunteer on
campus may apply to the appropriate department, division or school for office space. This
privilege is subject to available space.
Parking
Retirees who are not employed part-time by the University may obtain a free campus parking
permit. Contact the Department of Parking Operations, 5115 Oak, Room 221, 816-235-5256.
Publications
Receipt by mail, without charge, UMKC Perspectives, the news magazine of the University of
Missouri-Kansas City, and Retiree Benefits Highlights, a newsletter of the University of
Missouri System Retirement Benefits Office.
SPARK
Senior Peers Actively Renewing Knowledge is an Elderhostel Institute for Learning in
Retirement: 4825 Troost, Room 214E, 816-235-2870. Call for information about courses,
events, memberships and fees.
Swinney Recreation Center
Sports Events
Men's basketball - season ticket discounted prices for UMKC Retirees:




Floor seats, $150 per person
Center Court, $120 per person
End Loge, $100 per person
General Admission, $89 per person
Other sports events - retirees with ID cards may attend other sports events at UMKC free of
charge. Room 209, 816-235-1036.
Retirees may use fitness and recreation facilities for an annual fee of $120, and their spouse may
use the facilities for an additional annual fee of $60. Room 201, 816-235-1556.
University Bookstore
Retirees will receive a 10% discount on purchases of UMKC or UM emblematic items.
University Center, 816-235-1401.
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