The information below is applicable to the life insurance benefit plans provided by Duke, except the universal life insurance coverage, as it is not covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

The plan administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of the plan. For example, the plan sets forth requirements for eligibility for plan participation, and the plan administrator makes sure these requirements are met. The plan administrator is also the plan's agent for service of legal process. The name, business address and telephone number of the plan administrator and the employer, and the employer's identification number are:

Name and address
Director of Benefits Administration
Duke University
Box 90502
705 Broad Street
Durham, NC 27708-0502

Phone Number
(919) 684-5600

Fax Number
(919) 681-8774

Employer Identification Number
Duke University: 56-0532129
Duke University Health System: 56-2070036

Plan Documents

This brochure contains summaries of the plan documents governing the plans sponsored by Duke. Each summary, together with other materials incorporated by reference into this brochure, is intended to serve as the ERISA summary plan description for the plan to which it pertains. None of the summaries contain the complete text of its related plan. The plan document for a plan is the detailed description of the plan's terms and conditions. If there is a conflict between a plan document and its summary, the plan document will control.

To request copies of plan documents, call Benefits Administration. A charge will be made for each copy you request.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

These plans are maintained pursuant to certain collective bargaining agreements. The agreements are available for your inspection in the Staff and Labor Relations department of Duke's Human Resources located at 705 Broad Street.  You can reach the Staff and Labor Relations Department at 684-5557.

Family Leave Act Compliance

At all times these programs are administered in accordance with the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. The plan is construed and enforced according to North Carolina laws except to the extent these are superseded by the provisions of ERISA or other applicable federal laws.

Plan Modification

Duke reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend or terminate any plan at any time, for any reason.

Authority of the Committee and the Plan Administrator

Both the Staff Fringe Benefit Committee and the Plan Administrator have the duty and discretionary authority to interpret and construe the provisions of the plan, subject to the objective terms of the plan and the claims and claims review procedures described above. Interpretations and determinations made by the Committee and the Plan Administrator will be applied uniformly to all persons similarly situated and will be binding and conclusive upon each eligible employee and dependent who is covered under the plan, his or her beneficiary and any other interested person. Such interpretations and determinations made by the Committee and the Plan Administrator will only be overruled by a court of law if the Committee and the Plan Administrator are found to have acted arbitrarily and capriciously in interpreting and construing the provisions of the plan.