University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center

to their retirement accounts and are encouraged to access the University of Texas Retirement Manager, which helps employees plan their financial futures.

In addition to the UT Retirement Manager, members of the Anderson staff, the financial-services vendor that administers its retirement plan, and external financial-planning experts teach employees about financial planning. Retirement, credit counseling, and financial seminars are also open to all employees at various times during the year.

Anderson offers its employees paid, unpaid short-term, and unpaid long-term, time off for caregiving. Wellness opportunities at the Center include flu shots, health screenings, health-risk appraisals, smoking-cessation programs, discounts at local health clubs, physical activity and exercise programs, weight-loss counseling, stress-management training, and courses in healthy living. In 2008, 82 percent of employees used at least one wellness activity.

M.D. Anderson offers backup care for children, grandchildren, and elders, and referral services to providers of care for children, grandchildren, and elders.  

Benefits/Alternative-Work Arrangements: All employees working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for the following alternative-work arrangements: flextime, job-sharing, telecommuting, and compressed-work schedules. Full-time employees can also change to part-time schedules on a permanent or temporary basis.

Opportunities for Retirees:  M.D. Anderson has 2,198 retirees and a dedicated staff member who works to maintain contact and relationships between the Cancer Center and its retirees. The Center maintains communication with its retirees through invitations to events, continued access to financial planning, a quarterly newsletter, a quarterly banquet, and communication with the M.D. Anderson Retiree Association. Professional opportunities for retirees include temporary work assignments, consulting or contract work, and part-time or full-time work.

Age of Workforce:  Twenty-seven percent of M.D. Anderson employees are age 50+, with an average tenure of 10.8 years.