Employee Benefits
ºù«Ӱҵ offers a wide range of benefits, competitive with not only the top employers in the region, but other educational institutions across the nation.
*Years of service includes prior service with a State of South Dakota or Board of Regents employer.
- 0-14 years of service: Eligible employees earn up to 10 hours per month with accrual up to 240 hours.
- 15 or more years of service: Eligible employees earn up to 13.34 hours per month with accrual up to 320 hours.
- Eligible employees earn up to 9.34 hours per month with unlimited accrual.
11 paid holidays a year:
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Native American Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
The State of South Dakota currently provides SDSU employees with a choice of four health insurance plan options — two high-deductible plans and two low-deductible plans.
Open enrollment is usually in May each year. New employees have 30 days from the start date to enroll in benefits.
SDSU employees can build a benefits package relevant to their needs through several flexible benefit options.

LiveWellSD empowers employees and their families to take charge of their total well-being to live their best life at work and at home. Whether employees want to be more physically fit, socially connected, emotionally balanced or financially secure, we have resources to support the well-being journey. Participating in well-being activities brings many rewards — increased energy, decreased stress and a happier and more enjoyable life.

Retirement Plan
The is a cost-sharing, multiple employer, public employee retirement system. The system provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits for employees of the state of South Dakota and its political subdivisions. The system is a qualified defined benefit retirement plan under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and is exempt from federal income taxes.
- 6%-8% fully matched retirement plan.
- Supplemental retirement plan — similar to 401K.
- Fully vested after three years of service.
The State of South Dakota Board of Regents offers an optional 403(b) managed through .
