Human Resources - Benefits

The following is a summary of benefits for employees that occupy the Full-Time Teaching Faculty, Coaches, Librarians and Counselors (AAUP) job category. For more detailed information please contact the Human Resources Department at (203) 837-8497.

Table of Contents

  1. Health Benefits 
  2. Dental Benefits 
  3. Life Insurance 
  4. Employee Assistance Program
  5. Convenience Benefits
  6. Supplemental Benefits 
  7. Retirement Benefits 
  8. Tuition Waiver
  9. Disability Insurance
  10. Paid Leave 
  11. AAUP 2002-2006 Union Contract 

I. Health Benefits *

General Information:

 

Enrollment and Dependent Information

 

Upon hire, new employees have thirty (30) days to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents onto the health and/or dental insurance coverage.  Insurance becomes effective the 1st of the upcoming month.

 

Dependent children (unmarried – natural or adopted child or stepchild) are allowed on the medical and dental insurance through the age of 19. (An allowance may be made for disabled dependents to remain on the medical and dental insurance beyond the age of 19. This allowance must be coordinated between the employee, the insurance company and the Human Resources Department).

 

Children's Coverage At Age Nineteen (19):

 

Dental:  A dependent child’s dental coverage must terminate at the age of 19.   When the coverage ends, the child will be offered the option of purchasing dental coverage through COBRA regulations.

 

Medical: In accordance with the "Affordable Care Act" medical/prescription drug eligibility rules are revised to allow enrollment of the Subscriber's natural, adopted child, or stepchild who are:

  1. up to age 26

  2. any age if permanently and totally disabled, and who are enrolled as a dependent in the State plan or an equivalent plan at the time the disability occurred;

  3. and, whether or not they are:

    • married (a dependent's spouse or the employee's grandchildren are still not eligible for coverage);

    • living in Connecticut

    • living with the employee;

    • In school;

    • financially dependent on the employee; or

    • eligible to enroll in their employer's health coverage.

When a dependent's medical coverage ends the child will be offered the option of purchasing medical coverage through COBRA regulations.


Changes to Insurance

 

Changes to insurance such as adding dependents, changing insurance company or changing plan level may only be made during the Open Enrollment period or through a Qualifying Event, according to the Office of State Comptroller’s rules.

 

Open Enrollment:  The Office of State Comptroller annually conducts an Insurance Open Enrollment period, which allows employees to make changes to their insurance plans.  This is a time for employees to make changes such as; changing insurance company, plan level or adding dependents. Open Enrollment normally takes place during the month of May, with an effective date of change on July 1st.

Qualifying Event:  During the year an employee may experience a Qualifying Event, which allows them a thirty (30) day open window to enroll a dependent and/or spouse onto their health and/or dental insurance. Employees must complete the required paperwork within thirty (30) days from the date of the event.  Failure to do so will result in having to wait until an annual Open Enrollment period to make a change.

 

Qualifying Events* consist of:

Marriage: Copy of marriage certificate required.

Birth/Adoption of Child: Copy of adoption papers required.

Loss of Coverage: Documentation required stating employment termination date and insurance end date.

Dependent Status Change: Documentation required.

Other: Court Orders: Documentation required.

 

*An employee, who has an enrolled dependent on the state-sponsored insurance plan, has the responsibility to inform the State of Connecticut of a change in the dependents status; such as divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status eligibility.

 
Employees with questions regarding their insurance coverage should contact Lisa Lengel in the Human Resources Department at 203-837-8666.

Health Insurance:

Currently, the State of Connecticut has two (2) medical insurance companies offering coverage to state employees; Anthem Insurance and Oxford Insurance.  Employees select a company to provide benefits, and also select a Plan Level of care.  The different Plan Levels are noted below, and refer to requirements such as in-network benefits only, out-of network services, or requirements such as gatekeeper coordination.

For employees who reside outside of Connecticut the State of Connecticut offers two (2) out-of-area plans.  Employees may choose from Anthem Insurance or Oxford USA.

Health Insurance Summaries

Point of Service:   Under the Point of Service (POS) option, health care services are available both within and outside a defined network of physicians and other health care providers. POS members who obtain health care services from network providers pay a small co-payment, and are eligible for all benefits provided by the plan according to the schedule of benefits. Services may be obtained from participating providers without a referral.  Covered services obtained from nonparticipating providers are reimbursed at the rate of 80% of the plan allowance for in-network services, after the annual deductible has been met. Pre-authorizations may be required for non-network services, unless the care is necessitated by a bona fide emergency. Four POS options are offered. 

Point of Enrollment - No Gatekeeper:  Under the Point of Enrollment (POE) option, health care services are available only from a defined network of physicians and other health care providers. Each covered member must choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP); however, no referral from the PCP is necessary to receive care from participating providers. POE members who obtain health care services from providers outside the network must pay the full cost of these services, unless the care is necessitated by a bona fide emergency. Three POE options are offered.

Point of Enrollment – Gatekeeper:  Under the Point of Enrollment with Gatekeeper (POE-G) option, health care services are available only from a defined network of physicians and other health care providers. Each covered member must choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) who coordinates all care. A referral from the PCP is required for all specialist services. POE members, who obtain health care services from providers outside the network, or without a referral from their PCP, must pay the full cost of these services, unless the care is necessitated by a bona fide emergency. 

Out of State Residents: State employees who reside outside of Connecticut have the option of enrolling in the Anthem Out of Area Plan or the Oxford Out of Area medical plans.

Telephone Numbers and Websites of Health Insurance Carriers and

Prescription Drug Carrier

 

Anthem Blue Cross

800-922-2232  www.anthem.com/statect

 

United Healthcare Oxford Medical

800-760-4566 www.OXHP.com/stateofct

 

Caremark - Prescription Drug Plan

800-318-2572 www.caremark.com

 

2012 - 2013 Health Care Options Planner for Employees

Click Here for the 2012 - 2013 Health Care Options Planner for Employees

 

Biweekly Health Insurance Rates - Effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013

Types of Plans

Subscriber Only

Subscriber Plus One

Family

Family Less Employed Spouse*
 
Point of Enrollment - Gatekeeper Plans (POE-G)
$15.00 office visit co-pay - in-network benefits only - referrals required
Anthem State BlueCare POE Plus $23.43 $67.76 $87.06 $45.56
UnitedHealthcare Oxford HMO $17.43 $49.92 $64.14 $33.57
 
 
Point of Enrollment Plans (POE)
$15.00 office visit co-pay - in-network benefits only
Anthem State BlueCare POE $25.74 $77.54 $103.22 $51.81
UnitedHealthcare Oxford HMO Select $20.53 $61.86 $82.34 $41.33
 
Point of Service Plans (POS)
$15.00 office visit co-pay - in-network/out-of-network benefits
Anthem State BlueCare POS $33.19 $114.66 $132.48   $59.41
Anthem State BlueCare POS* $79.38 $231.84 $272.49 $158.94
UnitedHealthcare Oxford HMO Select $26.93   $93.04 $107.50    $48.21
 
Out of State - Out of Area Plans (OOA)
$15.00 office visit co-pay
Anthem Out-of Area $33.19 $114.66 $132.48    $59.41
UnitedHealthcare Oxford USA $26.93   $93.04 $107.50    $48.21

* The Family Less Employed Spouse rate is available only when both spouses are employed by the State of Connecticut, eligible for health insurance, and enrolled in the same plan, along with at least one child.

Prescription Drug Benefits

 

Caremark is the State of Connecticut pharmacy benefits provider for all covered employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents. 

 

Co-pays: $5.00 generic/$10.00 brand name prescription for up to 34-day supply. $25.00 Non-preferred brands (that have a preferred alternative)

 

*The prescription benefits plan is a mandatory generic substitution plan, except that a physician may authorize an override for a brand name prescription based upon medical necessity certified by the physician in accordance with the Pharmacy Benefit Manager’s (PBM) process. Contact Caremark at 800-318-2572 for information about the PBM process.

 

Caremark 's prescription drug plan will enable you to:

  • Obtain prescriptions through Caremark 's network of over 52,000 chain and independent retail pharmacies.

  • Obtain maintenance prescriptions through Caremark 's Mail Service Pharmacy.  Your medications will be delivered directly to your home within seven to ten days. Co-pays will apply.

  • Caremark's HealthLine, a telephone information and education center you can call for answers to common health and medication related questions.

  • Utilize www.caremark.com to easily view your plan design and co-pay information, search for details on prescription medications, locate a pharmacy near you, review your claim history, and order your refills through Caremark Direct.

  • Employees are only allowed to use an Out-of-Network pharmacy in an emergency situation or when overseas.  Contact Caremark for further details.

 

Telephone Number and Website

 

Caremark:    800-318-2572           www.caremark.com

 

II. Three Percent (3%) Retiree Health Care Fund

Effective July 1, 2009, all new health care eligible employees shall, during their first ten (10) years of employment, contribute three percent (3%) of their salaries to a fund established for the provision of health care coverage to retired state employees.

 

An employee who waives active employee health care is not relieved of the requirement to make the contributions to fund retiree health care.  The requirement to make these contributions applies unless the employee provides a waiver of the right to retiree health care, in such form as the State requires, and, in connection with said waiver, provides documentation of direct coverage for retiree health coverage by some other source.  The waiver may not be revoked unless the coverage which was the premise for the waiver becomes unavailable other than by the choice of the employee; provided, however, that the employee will be required to pay such contributions for the full 10 qualifying years.

 

Contributions are refundable to employees who leave state employment prior to completing 10 years of service.  If any such employee is reemployed, the employee shall be required to make contributions for ten (10) years starting with the date of reemployment.  If requested, contributions shall be refunded on or after the employee’s separation, except that the state may withhold refunds until July 2012 and in such case shall pay three percent (3%) per annum interest between the date of separation and the July 2012 payment.

 

III. Dental Benefits

Currently the State of Connecticut offers three (3) different dental plans to provide dental benefits to employees.

United HealthCare Dental® Basic Plan:  A plan which has no defined network and allows employees the freedom to select a dentist of their choice. Because there is no defined network, the percentage of benefits covered is based on usual and customary rates prevailing in the geographic area in which the expenses are incurred.

United HealthCare Dental® Enhanced PPO:  This is an expanded dental plan that covers a broader array of procedures, from either a defined network or out of network dentists.  If services are provided from an out of network dentist the benefit percentage applies to the schedule of maximum allowable charges.  Maximum allowable charges are limitations on billed charges in the geographic area in which the expenses are incurred. Some orthodontia coverage is available with this plan.

Cigna DHMO®:  Cigna Dental Health Maintenance Organization covers employees for some procedures at one hundred percent (100%).  Employees must remain in-network at all times.   No out of network benefits are allowed. Upon hire, employees will be required to select a dental office from the network, and will be required to receive treatment from their dentist location selected.  Employees wishing to change dental locations must call Cigna first to register with another dental office. Employees using another dental location without contacting Cigna will result in no benefit coverage.  Some orthodontia coverage is available with this plan.

Below is a summary of benefits and biweekly employee premium costs.   Upon hire, employees will receive a full description of each plan prior to making their selection.

 
Dental Plan Comparison UHC Basic UNC Enhanced PPO Cigna DHMO®
Service Areas

Any Licensed Dentist

Check with United

HealthCare for participating

PPO dentists in your area

Check with Cigna for Cigna DHMO network

dentists in your area.
Annual Deductible

None

$25 individual/$75 family

None
Annual Maximum

None

$3,000 per individual

(not including Ortho)

None
Diagnostic & Preventive Care
Exam Covered at 80%

Covered at 100%

Covered at 100%
X-Rays Covered at 80%

Covered at 100%

Covered at 100%
 
Simple Restoration
Fillings Covered at 80%1

Covered at 80%1

Covered at 100%2
Oral Surgery Covered at 67%

Covered at 67%

Covered at 100%2
 
Orthodontia
Children (under 19) Not Covered

Plan pays $1,500 per

individual per lifetime

 

Patient pays $1,500 fixed copay2

 
Adults 19 and older Not Covered

Plan pays $1,500 per

individual per lifetime

Patient pays $1,500 fixed copay2

 

1 For fillings and crowns on molars, the least expensive equally effective procedure will be reimbursed.

2 Additional charges may apply for other than simple restoration.

 

Telephone Numbers and Websites of Dental Carriers

UnitedHealthCare Dental®  

800-896-4834 

www.myuhcdental.com/statect

 

Cigna DHMO®

800-244-6224

www.Cigna.com

 

Dental Biweekly Rates - Effective July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2013

Subscriber
Only		 Subscriber 
Plus One		 Family

Family Less

Employed Spouse
UnitedHealthCare Basic $0.00 $13.08 $13.08 $6.70
UnitedHealthCare PPO - Enhanced Plan $0.00 $12.03 $12.03 $6.16
Cigna DHMO® $0.00 $4.29 $6.07 $2.50

 

Claim Form:  United Healthcare Basic and Enhanced PPO Plans Only - Out-of-Network Services

To secure an online claim form go to www.myuhcdental.com/statect, select Claims Information, then select Claim Form, then select Claim Form again.  At this point you may print the online claim form.  Claim forms should be mailed to the address on the back of the employees United Healthcare identification card.

IV. Life Insurance

Medical Life Insurance Company State Group Life Insurance

1220 Huron Road
Cleveland, Ohio

All employees are eligible for group life insurance by payroll deduction. Coverage is equal to about $4,000 more than annual salary up to a maximum of $85,000 for employees not included in any collective bargaining unit contract, and $38,000 for all others. 

The State of Connecticut shares the cost of this group term insurance. The employee contributes 20 cents biweekly for each $1,000 of insurance. If you enroll during your first six months of employment, coverage is guaranteed. You will be required to prove insurability to enroll after that. 

Optional Coverage for Faculty, Administrators and Management/Confidential Employees:

Faculty, Administrators, and Management/Confidential employees may buy additional coverage in increments of $5,000 up to a maximum of $50,000.

V. Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program provides three (3) free, confidential, professional counseling sessions for employees and their families.  For more information, please access our Employee Assistance Program link: EAP_Program/employeeassistance.asp

VI. Convenience Benefits

Direct Deposit

Employees (including Student Workers) of Western Connecticut State University may elect to have their paychecks automatically deposited into a personal checking or statement savings account.

 

Employees may choose any bank or credit union for Direct Deposit.  Some banks offer free checking to depositors who enroll in Direct Deposit; you should check with your bank for details.

 

Funds from checks directly deposited will be available at 9:00 a.m. on the Thursday preceding the check date.

 

For more information, please access our Direct Deposit link: ../procedures/direct_deposit.asp

 

Credit Union

Employees of Western have the opportunity to join the Connecticut State Employees Credit Union or the Western Connecticut Federal Credit Union.  For Credit Union contact information, please access our Credit Union link: Credit Union Contact Information.

VII. Supplemental Employee Benefits

All benefits under these programs are on a voluntary basis and are paid entirely by the employee through the convenience of payroll deductions.  To enroll into a program, employees should contact the vendor directly.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Open enrollment periods are conducted for these benefits.  Eligible employees will be allowed to enroll during their agency’s open enrollment period without the need for medical underwriting or a physical examination, subject to certain coverage limitation.  This privilege will be extended to new employees hired after the open enrollment period concludes.  All benefits under this program are on a voluntary basis and are paid entirely by the employee.

Colonial Supplemental Insurance Company's short-term disability insurance is available to full-time, active employees working 17.5 or more hours per week.  This product protects against short-term loss of income due to an on the job or off the job covered accident or illness.

  • Colonial Supplemental Insurance Company - 860-645-8833 or 800-884-0689

Fort Dearborn Insurance Company's short-term disability insurance is available to full-time, active employees working 20 or more hours per week. This product protects against the short-term loss of income due to an off the job covered accident or illness.

  • Fort Dearborn Insurance Company - 866-858-1171

Auto & Homeowners Insurance  Two vendors offer this product

 

Available to full-time, active employees working 17.5 hours or more per week, retirees, spouses, civil union partners and domestic partners*.  This product protects against liability and damage to, or loss of, auto, home and other personal property.

  • Metropolitan Casualty & Property Insurance Company & Affiliates - (800) 438-6381

  • Liberty Mutual Insurance Company - (800) 225-8281

Cancer Insurance  One vendor offers this product

Available to full-time, active employees working 17.5 hours or more per week, retirees, spouses, civil union partners and domestic partners*. This product pays benefits for certain cancer treatments and screenings. It is designed to supplement existing health insurance coverage.  One vendor has been selected. 

  • AFLAC - (877) 295-9939

Universal Life Insurance ** One vendor offers this product

Available to full-time, active employees working 17.5 hours or more per week, retirees, spouses, civil union partners and domestic partners*. children and grandchildren (grandchildren who are residents of New York and under the age of 14 1/2 are not eligible.) interested in supplementing their life insurance coverage offered on a qualified issue basis.

  • ING Employee Benefits - 800-842-8444

Term Life Insurance ** One vendor offers this product

Available to full-time, active employees working 20 hours or more per week, retirees, spouses, civil union partners, and domestic partners* and children who are interested in supplementing their life insurance coverage (employee/retiree must participate in the State's basic Group Life Insurance Program.)

  • Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company - 866-858-1171

Long-Term Care Insurance

Available to full-time, active employees working 17.5 or more hours per week, retirees, spouses, domestic partners* , parents, parents-in-laws, grandparents and adult children age 18 or older.  This product protects against the cost of long-term health care, whether at home or in a convalescent hospital.  This multi-life discounted policy is approved by the Connecticut Partnership and, as such, protects a subscriber's assets from depletion due to the cost of long-term care.

MetLife will extend simplified underwriting to new employees applying for coverage within 90 days of hire date.  Eligible employees will be allowed to enroll during their agency's open enrollment period with simplified underwriting.  After the 90 day eligibility period all applicants will be required to answer additional medical questions.  MetLife may also require attending physician statements and a telephone health interview.  For applicants that are age 71 and older, a face-to-face interview will be required in lieu of a telephone health interview.

  • Formerly serviced by UNUM,  current participants are now serviced by MedAmerica at 877-202-6043.
  • Current UNUM participants will continue to be serviced by MedAmerica.

Dependent Care Assistance Program

With this program you have the opportunity to deposit a portion of your pay into a Dependent Care Spending Account. The funds in this account are used to reimburse you for eligible dependent care expenses. Because Dependent Care Assistance Program deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, the monies reimbursed to you are exempt from federal and state tax, as well as Social Security. For more information contact:

  •  Benefit Concepts - (877) 629-1500. 

Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET)

This is a state sponsored program for all families to save and invest for the expenses of higher education - college and even the graduate school of your choice. Contributions made to a CHET account are on an after tax basis and therefore are not deductible for income tax purposes. Moneys in your CHET account are invested in a stock and band portfolio by some of the finest firms on "Wall Street" including several which have done an excellent job for the State's pension fund. There is no application fee, sales charge or commissions. However, the trust charges an annual management fee of 1.55% on invested assets. There is no annual federal or state taxes on your earnings, allowing your account to benefit from the compounding on all of your investment and it's earnings.

Roth 403(b) Supplemental Plan

For the most part, all WCSU employees are eligible to join the Roth 403(b) Plan to supplemental their retirement savings.

Effective in 2007,  ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (ING) was selected to act as a third-party administrator for the State of Connecticut Roth 403(b) Plan.  ING will be responsible for counseling participants on asset allocations, financial education, and record keeping for the Roth 403(b) account.  The annual administrative fee is .12% for ING services.

The Roth 403(b) Plan is designed to allow employees to save additional money for retirement purposes on an after tax basis.  The Plan allows participants to allocate contributions to mutual funds and variable annuities for retirement purposes which have the potential to grow,  tax free.   Withdrawals from your account prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty.

 The ING 403(b) investment menu will offer participants 25 different options to invest in.  These investment options fall into four categories.

  • A Stable Value Option:  provides a periodically declared rate and a guaranteed minimum rate of 3.00%.
  • Target Date Life Cycle Funds:  a portfolio of investment options that track to a certain date for retirement.
  • Passively Managed Index Funds:  designed to mirror a specific market index.
  • Actively Managed Funds:  receive the attention of a portfolio or team manager who monitors the individual stock positions in their fund on a daily basis.

For further information regarding the Roth 403(b) Plan go to www.CTdcp.com  (Select 403(b) Plan, Education)

Enrollment:  Employees interested in participating in the State of Connecticut’s Roth 403(b) Plan may contact ING directly at 1-800-584-6001.  Enrollment into the Roth 403(b) Plan is made directly through ING. Upon enrollment participants will receive a confirmation letter from ING and a Personal Identification Number  for accessing their account.

Distributable Events:   Separation from Service,  Retirement,  Disability (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code), Death,  Financial Hardship.   ( If the distribution is not a Qualified Distribution the accumulated earnings will be subject to tax, and an additional federal penalty tax may apply.) 

Tax Free Qualified Distribution:  You are eligible for a Tax Free Qualified Distribution only if the following criteria are met.  You have met the 5 year holding period requirement and the distribution is due to:  Separation from Service and attainment of age 59 1/2, Disability (as defined by the Internal Revenue Code), or Death.                                        

Annual Limits:  Federal law restricts the amount you may contribute to a Roth 403(b) Plan. The annual limitation on deferrals for the year 2007 is $15,500 (with cost-of-living increases in $500 increments set for the year 2008 and after). Some employees may be eligible to defer additional amounts through the Catch-Up provision (employees 50 years or older might be allowed to defer an additional $5000 each year).

Please Note:   If you are contributing to both the Roth 403(b) Plan and the traditional pre-tax 403(b) Plan your aggregate contributions cannot exceed $15,500,  or $20,500 if you elected the Age 50+ Catch-up option.

Employees with questions regarding the Roth 403(b) Plan may contact Lisa Lengel in the Human Resources Department at 203-837-8666.

The Office of State Comptroller has complete responsibility for oversight of the Plan and is held to fiduciary standards under State and local law in its ongoing monitoring of the Plan.

Tax Sheltered Annuity Program

403(b) Supplemental Tax Deferred Annuity Plan

Effective January 1, 2006 ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (ING) was selected to act as a third-party administrator for the State of Connecticut 403(b) Plan.  ING will be responsible for counseling participants on asset allocations, financial education, and record keeping for the 403(b) account.  The annual administrative fee is .12% for ING services.

The 403(b) Plan allows participants to allocate contributions to mutual funds and variable annuities on a pre-taxed basis.  Mutual funds and variable annuities are long-term investment vehicles designed for retirement purposes and which have the potential to grow tax-deferred.  Withdrawals from your account prior to age 59 ½ may be subject to a 10% IRS penalty, and may be taxed as ordinary income the year of withdrawal.

The ING 403(b) investment menu will offer participants 25 different options to invest in.  These investment options fall into four categories.

  • A Stable Value Option:  provides a periodically declared rate and a guaranteed minimum rate of 3.00%.

  • Target Date Life Cycle Funds:  a portfolio of investment options that track to a certain date for retirement.

  • Passively Managed Index Funds:  designed to mirror a specific market index.

  • Actively Managed Funds:  receive the attention of a portfolio or team manager who monitors the individual stock positions in their fund on a daily basis.

For further information regarding the 403(b) Plan go to www.CTdcp.com 

Enrollment:  Employees interested in participating in the State of Connecticut’s 403(b) Plan should contact ING directly at 1-800-584-6001.   Enrollment into the 403(b) Plan is made directly through ING.  Upon enrollment participants will receive a confirmation letter from ING and a personal identification number for accessing their account online.

Annual Limits:  Federal law restricts the amount you may contribute to a 403(b) Plan.  The annual limitation on deferrals for the year 2007 is $15,500 (with cost-of-living increases in $500 increments set for the year 2008 and after). Some employees might be eligible to defer additional amounts through the Catch-Up provision (employees 50 years or older might be allowed to defer an additional $5000 each year).

Please Note:  If you are contributing to both the traditional pre-tax 403(b) Plan and the Roth 403(b) Plan your aggregate contributions cannot exceed $15,500, or $20,500 if you elected the Age 50+ Catch-up option.

The Office of State Comptroller has complete responsibility for oversight of the Plan and is held to fiduciary standards under State and local law in its ongoing monitoring of the Plan.

Employees with questions regarding the 403(b) Supplemental Tax Deferred Annuity Plan may contact Lisa Lengel in the Human Resources Department at 203-837-8666.

Deferred Compensation Program

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective July 1, 2005 ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (ING) was selected to act as a third-party administrator for the State of Connecticut Deferred Compensation 457 Plan.  ING will be responsible for counseling participants on asset allocations, financial education, and record keeping for the 457 Deferred Compensation Program account.  The annual administrative fee is .12% for ING services.

The 457 Plan is designed to allow employees to save additional money for retirement purposes on a pre-taxed basis.  Contributions are made on a pre-taxed basis, and have the potential to grow tax-deferred.  Early withdrawal may be taxed as ordinary income the year of withdrawal.

The ING 457 Plan investment menu will offer participants 25 different options to invest in.  These investment options fall into four categories. 

  • A Stable Value Option:  provides a periodically declared rate of interest.

  • Target Date Life Cycle Funds:  a portfolio of investment options that track to a certain date for retirement.

  • Passively Managed Index Funds:  designed to mirror a specific market index.

  • Actively Managed Funds:  receive the attention of a portfolio or team manager who monitors the individual stock positions in their fund on a daily basis.

For further information regarding the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan go to  www.CTdcp.com 

Enrollment:  Employees interested in participating in the State of Connecticut’s 457 Deferred Compensation Plan may contact ING directly at 800-585-6001.  Enrollment into the 457 Plan is made directly through ING.  Upon enrollment participants will receive a confirmation letter from ING and a personal identification letter for accessing their account online.

Annual Limits:  Federal law restricts the amount you may contribute to a 457 Plan.  The annual limitation on deferrals for the year 2007 is $15,500 (with cost-of-living increases in $500 increments set for the year 2008 and after). Some employees might be eligible to defer additional amounts through the Catch-Up provision (employees 50 years or older might be allowed to defer an additional $5000 each year.)

Employees with questions regarding the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan may contact Lisa Lengel, in the Human Resources Department at 203-837-8666.

The Office of State Comptroller has complete responsibility for oversight of the Plan and is held to fiduciary standards under State and local law in its ongoing monitoring of the Plan.  

* Domestic Partners are defined as: At least 18 years, of the same sex, have lived together at least 12 months, are not married to someone else and are jointly responsible for maintaining a common household.

*** Open enrollment periods are conducted for these benefits.  Eligible employees will be allowed to enroll during their agency's open enrollment period without the need for medical underwriting or a physical examination, subject to certain coverage limitation.  This privilege will be extended to new employees hired after the open enrollment period concludes.

VII. Retirement Benefits: 

Additional retirement information is available through the Office of State Comptroller's Retirement Division's website at: http://www.osc.state.ct.us/rbsd/highered/optionsagcy.htm

A State of Connecticut Plan Comparison chart is available on this site. This chart can be used as an aid to compare the similarities and differences between the retirement plans. http://www.osc.state.ct.us/rbsd/highered/RetPlnCmpChrtHEd.pdf

AAUP Teaching Faculty, SUOAF Administrators, and Management & Confidential employees have the option of selecting either of the below programs:

The Alternate Retirement Program

Tier II A

The Alternate Retirement Program

Effective January 1, 2006 ING Life Insurance and Annuity Company (ING) was selected to act as a third-party administrator for the State of Connecticut Alternate Retirement Program.  ING will be responsible for counseling participants on asset allocations, financial education, and record keeping for the retirement account.  The annual administrative fee is .12% for ING services.

The Alternate Retirement Program (ARP) is a defined contribution plan.  Participants in ARP must contribute 5% of their gross salary and the State will match 8% based on the employee’s gross salary.  The enrollment process is done through the WCSU Human Resources Department.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

Upon hire, participants in the ARP will have their asset allocations defaulted to the Connecticut Stable Value Fund.

 

Upon receiving a confirmation letter of enrollment and PIN from ING, participants may make asset allocation changes via the website www.CTdcp.com and selecting Account Access, through a toll-free telephone number 1-800-584-6001, or through the agency’s assigned ING representative.  An ING representative will visit Western Connecticut State University periodically and newly hired employees are encouraged to review their asset allocations with the representative.

The ING investment menu will offer participants 25 different options to invest in.  These investment options fall into four categories.

  • A Stable Value Option: provides a periodically declared rate and a guaranteed minimum rate of 3.00%.
  • Target Date Life Cycle Funds:  a portfolio of investment options that track to a certain date for retirement.
  • Passively Managed Index Funds:  designed to mirror a specific market index.
  • Actively Managed Funds:  receive the attention of a portfolio or team manager who monitors the individual stock positions in their fund on a daily basis.

A fund fact sheet for each of the funds is available at www.CTdcp.com. 

The State of Connecticut Retirement and Benefits Services Division is responsible for the ongoing review of the Plan to make available developments in plan services, technology, education and investments.

Toll-free telephone:  800-584-6001
Website:  www.CTdcp.com

Related Web Site:

Tier IIA

The TIER II A Plan is a defined benefit plan which is fully funded on an actuarially reserve basis. Employee contributions are 2% of their salary before taxes. There is a minimum of 5 years of vesting service required to be eligible for retirement benefits. All vesting service is not credited service. Vesting service determines your eligibility for benefits. Credited service determines the amount of your benefit at retirement. 

If you would like some more information please call Lisa Lengel in the Human Resources Department at (203) 837-8666.

VIII. Tuition Waiver: 

Subject to the approval of the receiving university, a permanent, full-time or emeritus member, with at least one (1) semester of service, spouse and children under the age of twenty-five (25) may take courses without tuition or State University fee at any university within Connecticut State University on a space available basis, provided, however that participation in said courses shall not interfere with the member's employment obligations. Please see the following link for detailed information on Tuition Waivers as well as the CSU Tuition Waiver Form.

IX. Disability Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance:

Group Long Term Disability Insurance administered through The Standard Insurance Company provides financial protection for eligible employees by paying a percentage of monthly earnings in the event of a covered disability.  The amount of the monthly income benefit payable is based on the amount of the employee’s monthly wage base.

 

Eligibility:  All full time, permanent employees participating in the Connecticut Alternate Retirement Program who are managerial, administrative or faculty employees are eligible for this insurance.  The insurance coverage will begin on the first day of the month following one (1) year of continuous service. However, this one (1) year waiting period will be waived, and coverage will start immediately if the new employee can obtain a letter from their previous employer stating that they were insured under a previous employer’s group total disability insurance policy within three months before their start of employment at Western Connecticut State University, and that the policy provided income benefits for five or more years of total disability

 

Cost:  The Connecticut State University System pays the full cost of this insurance.

 

Benefits Start:  Benefits begin after six months of continuous disability.

 

Monthly Income Benefit:  Sixty (60) percent of monthly wage base paid by the employer, not to exceed a benefit of $5,500 a month, less the sum of benefits from other sources that apply to the same month (e.g. Social Security Disability, workers’ compensation, etc.).

 

In no event will the monthly income benefit be less than $100 or 10 percent of the monthly income benefit before subtracting benefits from other sources.

 

Monthly Alternate Retirement Plan Premium Benefit:  A continued contribution to the employee’s Alternate Retirement Plan account, will be made by The Standard, while the employee is receiving a monthly disability income benefit.  The amount of the monthly annuity premium benefit is thirteen percent (13%) of the employee’s monthly wage base.

X. Paid Leave

Full-time (12 month) Librarians, Counselors and Teaching Faculty

 

Full-time twelve (12) month Librarian, Counselor and Teaching Faculty members of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) are entitled to the following paid leave benefits. Full time is based on a 35-hour workweek.

 

Vacation:  22 days per year: equivalent to 12.833 hours per month.

 

Vacation time is earned monthly and accrued in hours.  Employees begin earning time after their first full month of employment.

 

New employees must work six (6) continuous months before eligible to use earned vacation time.

 

Employees may accrue a maximum of 840 hours (120 days) of vacation time.

 

Full-time (10 month) Librarians and Counselors

 

Full-time ten (10) month Librarian and Counselor members of the American Association of University Professors are entitled to the following paid leave benefits. Full time based on a   35-hour workweek.

 

Sick Leave:   12.5 days per year: equivalent to 87.5 hours per year or 7.292 hours per month.

 

Every September 1st. employees receive all 87.5 hours in advance. Employees who separate from state service during the year, and who have used more sick time then they would have earned monthly for that year, will have the time deducted from their last paycheck.

 

Employees may accrue unlimited hours of sick time.

 

Full-time (10 month) Teaching Faculty and Coaches

 

Full-time ten (10) month Coaches and Teaching Faculty members of the American Association of University Professors are entitled to the following paid leave benefits. Full time based on a 35-hour workweek.

 

Sick Leave:   10 days per year: equivalent to 70 hours per year.

 

Every September 1st. employees receive all 70 hours in advance.  Employees who separate from state service during the year, and who have used more sick time then they would have earned monthly for that year, will have the time deducted from their last paycheck.

 

Employees may accrue unlimited hours of sick time.

 

Full-time (12 month & 10 month) Librarians, Counselors, Coaches and Teaching Faculty

 

Sick Leave:  15 days per year: equivalent to 105 hours per year.

 

Every September 1st. employees receive all 105 hours. Employees who separate from state service during the year, and who have used more sick time then they would have earned monthly for that year, will have the time deducted from their last paycheck.

 

Employees may accrue unlimited hours of sick time.

 

Sick Leave Bank:  Upon hire, employees are required to make a donation of four (4) sick days to the Sick Leave Bank.

 

Full-time Teaching Faculty are entitled to apply for up to six (6) months of additional sick leave from a sick leave bank in the event that the employee exhausts their time. There is a one time contribution of four (4) sick days to the sick leave bank in order to qualify. 

 

Personal Leave Days:  3 days per calendar year: equivalent to 21 hours per year.

 

Personal Leave time must be used within a calendar year.

 

Holidays:  12 paid holidays per year.

 

The following holidays are observed by the State of Connecticut:  New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday (Day of Reflection), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Day prior to Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

 

For a list of the dates for the observed holidays, please refer to the following link for our current Holiday Schedule.

 

Employees should refer to their collective bargaining agreement for more details on paid leave time.

 

If you have questions regarding your leave balances, please contact the WCSU Payroll Department who maintains the employee leave balances.

XII. AAUP 2002 - 2006 Union Contract

The current 2002-2006 American Association of University Professors union contract can be viewed on-line via www.ctstateu.edu/contracts.


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