Compensation, Taxation & Benefits

Compensation

Research Fellows shall receive compensation from an extramural fellowship stipend which is routed through SKI, paid directly to the fellow, or from institutional and/or philanthropic funds when the fellow's full compensation is derived from internal sources.

The minimum stipend shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the doctorate or meeting all requirements for the doctorate. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the Lab Head. The current recommended minimum stipend levels are listed below:

Taxation

Research Fellows will not pay FICA taxes. All other applicable payroll taxes will be withheld for stipendee fellows paid through SKI, and a W2 will be issued by SKI each year. This will apply to all fellows regardless of the extramural source of their fellowship (i.e., NIH or non-NIH) and will also apply to possible institutional stipend supplements.

Benefits

Research Fellows and Non-Stipend Research Fellows¹ will be eligible for a limited benefits package that includes:

• Medical Coverage²
• Dental Coverage²
• Time off and other related benefits³
• Discounted rates for Childcare Facility (Roosevelt Island)

¹Lab Heads must contact Human Resources to arrange for medical and/or dental coverage for Non-Stipend Research Fellows.

² Coverage for postdoctoral researcher and eligible dependents

³No vacation or sick time will be accrued. Time off, including sick time and vacation time, shall be reviewed and discussed between the Research Fellow and the Lab Head. It is expected that the Lab Head will permit a range of two to four weeks of paid vacation leave per year. It is also expected that the Lab Head will permit the Research Fellow to take eight weeks of paid time off for parental leave for birth or adoption of a child. Applications for extended leaves of absence due to extenuating circumstances should be discussed between the Research Fellow and Lab Head. Such leaves must be in accordance with institutional and granting agency policies and will require approval by the Director, SKI.

Compensation

Research Scholars shall receive compensation via a salary. The minimum amount of the salary shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the doctorate or meeting all requirements for the doctoral degree. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the mentor. The recommended minimum salary levels are the same as those listed above for Research Fellows. However, an amount should be added to the Scholar's salary to cover the FICA tax that will be withheld (except employees who are FICA exempt because they are in the first two calendar years of J-1 visa status). The current amount to be added to the salary is approximately 12 percent.

Taxation

All applicable taxes will be withheld, including, city, state, federal, FICA and Medicare payments. A W2 form will be issued by SKI each year. 

Benefits

Research Scholars will be eligible for a limited benefits package that includes:

• Medical Coverage¹
• Dental Coverage¹
• Time off and other related benefits²
• Discounted rates for Childcare Facility (Roosevelt Island)
• Voluntary Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan -- Research Scholars may contribute pre-tax dollars to a supplemental retirement account.  Memorial Sloan-Kettering does not make any contributions to this plan.
• Commuter Spending Account Program -- Research Scholars can contribute pre-tax dollars to the program to pay for eligible transportation expenses related to their commute to and from work.

¹Coverage for postdoctoral researcher and eligible dependents

²No vacation or sick time will be accrued. Time off, including sick time and vacation time, shall be reviewed and discussed between the Research Scholar and the Lab Head. It is expected that the Lab Head will permit a range of two to four weeks of paid vacation leave per year. Research Scholars may be eligible for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which grants up to 12 weeks of leave within a 12-month period due to certain medical and family circumstances. It is also expected that the Lab Head will permit the Research Scholar to take eight weeks of paid time off for parental leave for birth or adoption of a child. This parental leave will run concurrently with leave taken under the FMLA. Applications for extended leaves of absence due to extenuating circumstances should be discussed between the Research Scholar and Lab Head. Such leaves must be in accordance with institutional and granting agency policies and will require approval by the Director, SKI. 

Compensation

Research Associates shall receive compensation via a salary. The amount of the salary shall be determined by the number of years of relevant research experience since receiving the doctorate. Please see below for the current recommended minimum salary level for an individual with three years of relevant experience. Annual increases are based on merit and are at the discretion of the mentor.

Taxation

City, state and federal taxes, as well as FICA and Medicare deductions will be withheld from salary. A W2 form will be issued by SKI each year.

Benefits

Research Associates are eligible to participate in Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Flexible Benefits Program, which allow employees to choose the benefits they wish to enroll in. The program provides employees with Flex Dollars, which are applied to the cost of benefits. Contributions for benefit choices in excess of flex dollars are deducted from pay on a pre-tax basis. Flexible benefits include:

• Medical Coverage¹
• Dental Coverage ¹
• Time off and other related benefits²
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) -- Health Care and Dependent Care

¹Coverage for postdoctoral researcher and eligible dependents

²Research Associates accrue one (1) sick day per month, up to a maximum of 72 sick days. Research Associates are eligible for 20 vacation days and 12 holidays per year and may hold a combined maximum total of 26 vacation and holidays in their bank. Research Associates will not be paid for unused vacation, holiday or sick time upon separation of employment from Memorial Sloan-Kettering.

Other benefits include:

• MSKCC Basic Retirement Plan (BRP) -- A tax-deferred defined contribution program requiring contributions (on a pre-tax basis) of 5% of biweekly salary, and Memorial Sloan-Kettering contributes an equal amount to the account, subject to limitations imposed by law. Research Associates choose how the retirement account is invested through TIAA/CREF and/or Vanguard. After 3 years of service Memorial Sloan-Kettering's contributions are 100 percent vested. Participation in the Plan is mandatory for Research Associates. Participants in the Basic Retirement Plan are not permitted at any time to voluntarily reduce or discontinue plan participation.
• Voluntary Tax-Deferred Retirement Plan -- Research Associates may contribute pre-tax dollars to a supplemental retirement account. Memorial Sloan-Kettering does not make any contributions to this plan.
• Commuter Spending Account Program -- Research Associates may contribute pre-tax dollars to the program to pay for eligible transportation expenses related to their commute to and from work.

The above presents a brief summary of benefits and programs offered by Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. It is not intended as a complete description of each plan or program. Although every effort has been made to ensure the above information is accurate, the legal documents that describe the plans and programs will govern in the case of any discrepancy. The plans, programs, eligibility and corresponding employee contributions are subject to review and may be modified at any time.