Human Resource Services

The State Health Plan has created a PPO alternative for all state employees called Smart Choice. What is a PPO? A PPO is an arrangement where providers are under contract to provide medical services at lower than usual fees in return for prompt payment and a certain volume of patients. There is freedom of choice among in-network providers, including specialists. No referrals are required for specialist office visits. When in-network providers are used, out-of-pocket expenses are lower and no claims forms are required.

The NCFlex Benefits Program provides a variety of plans to meet the needs of you and your family. You may enroll in any or all of the the offered benefits based on what you would benefit from. All costs are withheld before taxes, leading to additional health savings. Available benefits include:

NCFlex Dental Benefits

This benefit is available through payroll deduction to permanent employees on an employee pay-all basis. Two traditional options are available (a high coverage plan and a low coverage plan), both are offered through NCFlex. New employees have 30 days to enroll in either plan and the deduction is taken on a pre-tax basis. Annual enrollments (The enrollment period for this and all NCFlex benefits is mid-October through mid-November.) allow for late entrants and may include a waiting period for certain services other than Preventive or Diagnostic. The monthly cost for eligible employees is as follows:

NCFlex-Flexible Spending Accounts for Health Care and Dependent Day Care

NC Flex is a State-wide flexible benefits program which allows employees to set aside pre-tax money for out-of- pocket expenses for health care (medical, dental, vision, etc.) or dependent day care (child or adult). Participation in the health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can result in savings of 25% to 42% or more, depending on the employee's overall tax rate. The annual minimum contribution is $120 ($10/month) and the maximum is $4,200 ($350.00/month) for the health care FSA and $5,000 ($416.66/month) for the dependent day care FSA. Contributions to these accounts are sheltered from federal, State and Social Security taxes. Eligible participants in these programs must be working 20 or more hours per week in a permanent, probationary, or time-limited position. Further information is available at the NCFlex website.

NCFlex-Core Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Coming Plan Year 2010. Sign up during NCFlex Open Enrollment from Oct. 5, 2009 through Oct 30, 2009!

Administered by A.C. Newman & Company, this free program will pay a benefit of up to $10,000 if you suffer a loss or sustain certain disabling injuries while covered. Please refer to the NCFlex website for further information.

NCFlex-Voluntary Death & Dismemberment Insurance

Also administered by A.C. Newman & Company, this voluntary, fee-based program will pay a benefit if you suffer a loss or sustain certain disabling injuries while covered. Please refer to your NCFlex packet for rates and further information, or visit the NCFlex website.

NCFlex-Discount Vision Care

Another benefit provided through NC Flex, this plan is administered by Superior Vision Services , and includes eye examinations, glasses, and contact lenses. Employees may cover themselves and their families. Complete plan details are available in your NC Flex packet or at the NCFlex site listed above.

**Plan 1 covers hardware and examinations, Plan 2 only covers hardware, and Plan 3 covers hardware and examinations at a higher rate.

NCFlex-Critical Illness

NCflex is now offering Critical Illness Insurance. The insurance is administered by MetLife and complements your existing medical coverage, but does not replace it. The coverage pays a lump-sum payment when a covered person experiences a covered condition. You may use the lump-sum payment as you see fit to help keep your finances on track if you experience a covered condition.

NCFlex-Term Life

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance, administered by ING, pays a benefit to your beneficiary(ies) if you die while covered under the policy. Coverage is available for employees only and can not be purchased for family members. A minimum of $20,000 of coverage is available up to a maximum of $500,000 of coverage and coverage may not exceed five times your base annual earnings.

NCFlex-Cancer Insurance

Cancer Insurance is underwritten by America Heritage Life Insurance Company and helps pay for cancer-related expenses as well as expenses related to 29 other diseases. Employees can enroll in employee or family coverage and choose among 3 different tiers: low, high and premium.

Participation in a retirement program is required for permanent, probationary or time-limited employees who work at least 3/4 time for nine months. Employees are required to contribute 6% of their salaries toward the cost of their retirement. There are two retirement programs available:

Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS)

All employees eligible for retirement may enroll in this plan. TSERS is a 401(a) "defined benefit plan" and retirement income is based on a formula that is determined by average final compensation, age at retirement, and years of creditable service. An employee must have five years of contributing service in order to be vested in the Retirement System. In addition to the employee's mandatory 6% contribution, the University contributes an amount equal to 8.14% of the employee's salary toward retirement benefits of which 3.36% goes directly toward funding the Retirement System. State law enforcement officers are eligible for enrollment in TSERS, with differences in benefits and may contact the Benefits Office for further information. Click here to view the Retirement System Handbook.

Optional Retirement Program (ORP)

The Optional Retirement Program is available to EPA employees. EPA eligible for this option may choose among four carriers: Teachers' Insurance & Annuity Association of America - College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF), Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Valic or Fidelity Investments. The Optional Retirement Program is a 403(a) "defined contribution plan" in which the participant's benefits are determined by the amount contributed and the investment earnings of the contributions. In addition to the employee's mandatory 6% contribution, the University contributes 6.84% to the employee's ORP account. If the employee leaves the University before he/she is vested (five years), then the employee may have to forfeit the University's contributions to their ORP unless certain State requirements are met. For more information regarding ORPs please view the ORP guide at UNC General Administration. Contact the Benefits Office for further details, or visit the Web sites for TIAA-CREF, Lincoln, Fidelity and/or Valic.

*Note: Employees who have an option to elect one plan over another must do so within 60 days of eligibility, and should carefully review the plans, the benefits, and the differences, because the decision made at employment is irrevocable.

Social Security

Employees are required to pay a 6.2% Social Security tax on earnings up to a maximum salary of $102,000, effective January 1, 2008 and $106,800, effective January 1, 2009. Employees are also required to pay a 1.45% Medicare tax on all earnings. The University matches these contributions.

North Carolina Deferred Compensation Plan (457) - Under this plan, income is sheltered from federal and state income tax. Controlled by Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and administered by Prudential, this plan is designed as a long-term savings plan. Contact Prudential at 866-624-0151 for more information.

State 401(k) Plan - The Supplemental Retirement Income Plan of North Carolina was created in 1984 by the General Assembly to give University employees a tax-deferred investment program for retirement. The Plan is administered by Prudential Financial Retirement. For further information, please contact Prudential at 866-627-5267.

Tax Deferred Annuities (403(b) - This is another option for setting aside money in a pre-tax manner. The employee elects to participate in a plan offered by a company approved by the University. There are many carriers on the approved list offering a variety of programs.

U.S. Savings Bonds - University employees may purchase U.S. Savings Bonds through payroll deduction. Details can be obtained from the Benefits Office.

Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC)

The Disability Income Plan of North Carolina (DIPNC) is available, at no cost, to all full-time permanent employees participating in either the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS) or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) upon completion of certain length-of-service requirements. The plan is divided into Short Term and Long Term Disability benefits. To be eligible for Short Term Disability, the employee must have at least one year of contributing membership in either TSERS or the ORP, earned within 36 months prior to the onset of the disability. The monthly short-term benefit has a 60-day waiting period and is equal to 50% of 1/12 of the employee's annual base rate of compensation, up to a maximum of $3,000 per month for 12 months (may be extended). Long Term Disability is available to the employee who has at least five years of contributing membership in either TSERS or the ORP, earned within 96 months prior to the end of the Short Term Disability period. Prior to the termination of short-term benefits, the eligible employee may apply for long-term benefits. The monthly long-term benefit is equal to 65% of 1/12 of the employee's annual base rate of compensation, to a maximum of $3,900 per month. These benefits would coordinate with any additional benefits received from Social Security or Workers' Compensation. For additional information, please contact Human Resource Services at ext. 5009.

Supplemental Disability Insurance

Liberty Mutual - This supplemental long-term disability insurance, offered by Liberty Mutual, was designed to provide coverage for those employee's who are not yet eligible for the State's plan, or who wish to supplement the State's disability benefits. The plan is available, at a nominal cost, only to employees who are participating in TSERS. After a 90-day waiting period, employee's may receive a benefit equal to 66-2/3% of their monthly salary up to a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000. New employees may enroll within thirty days without completing a medical questionnaire. This plan coordinates with benefits received from Social Security, Workers' Compensation, and DIPNC (once the employee becomes eligible for the State's short- and/or long-term benefits). Premiums are reduced after five years of contributing membership to the State Retirement System.

The Standard Long Term Disability Insurance Plan - This supplemental long-term disability insurance plan, offered at a nominal cost by The Standard, is available only to participants in the Optional Retirement Program. Designed to help fill the gaps left by the State's plan, this program replaces up to 66-2/3% of the employee's monthly wage base up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. In addition, the plan protects the employee's retirement by providing a contribution equal to the monthly employee and employer retirement contribution (currently a combined total of 12.84%). New employees may enroll within thirty (30) days without completing a medical questionnaire. This plan coordinates with benefits received from Social Security, Workers' Compensation, and DIPNC (once the employee becomes eligible for the State's short- and/or long-term benefits).

All University employees are covered under the North Carolina Workers' Compensation Act, including full-time faculty; staff (EPA and SPA) and part-time, temporary, and student employees. Any employee who suffers an accidental injury or contracts an occupational disease within the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act is entitled to benefits provided by the Act. The employee must notify his or her supervisor immediately, in writing, using appropriate forms available in the Department of Human Resource Services. In the event of death resulting from an injury arising out of and in the course of employment, compensation is paid to the surviving spouse for 400 weeks at 66-2/3 percent of the deceased employee's average weekly wage at the time of the accident. If there is no surviving spouse, compensation payments due to a dependent child are paid for 400 weeks or until the child reaches the 18th birthday, whichever is later. For further details, refer to your Workers' Compensation Program booklet which you will receive at New Employee Orientation.

Leave is available to: permanent SPA full-time, part-time (20 or more hours), probationary, time-limited, or trainee employees; EPA non-teaching; or EPA 12-month teaching. Temporary employees are not included in leave programs. Types of leave are:

SPA Employees only

Vacation Leave - The vacation leave rate for eligible employees is based upon length of total permanent State service (leave for part-time employees is prorated to the FTE of the appointment). Length of Service periods can be found in the Staff Employee Policy Manual under Vacation Leave; Leave Credits. Leave may be accumulated without applicable maximum until December 31. On December 31, vacation leave in excess of 240 hours (30 days) will be automatically converted to sick leave (prorated for part-time employees). Only 240 hours per calendar year may be carried forward to the next calendar year (prorated for part-time employees). Accumulated vacation shall be paid out upon termination of state employment, up to 240 hours (prorated for part-time employees).

Sick Leave - Sick leave is granted to eligible employees at a rate of eight hours per month. Part-time employees are granted sick leave on a prorated basis. Sick leave can be accumulated indefinitely and, at retirement, can be converted to creditable service at a rate of one month for every 20 days of accumulated sick leave or portion thereof. Accumulated sick leave cannot be paid out upon termination of employment. Instead, it remains on the books for five years, and the balance is restored if the employee returns to work for the State before the end of the five-year period.

EPA Employees only

Both SPA and EPA Employees

Automobile and Homeowners Insurance - Auto, home, renters, boat, condominium, or personal liability insurance is available through payroll deduction to permanent employees under a group contract through Metropolitan Insurance Company (MetPay). For information contact a MetPay representative at 1-800-GET-MET-8 (1-800-438-6388).

Life Insurance - Underwritten by MetLife Insurance Company, this is an optional life insurance plan for which all permanent employees are eligible to apply. The amount of insurance can be in increments of $10,000 (up to $500,000). The cost is based upon a combination of age, smoker status plus coverage amount. Employees may apply for either Universal Life or Term Life Insurance, and Term coverage is available for dependents. Evidence of insurability must be presented if the amount of coverage exceeds $100,000, or if the application is not presented within thirty days of eligibility.

Credit Union - The State Employees' Credit Union is open to all permanent employees who are participating in a retirement program. Services include banking, savings, and loans. The local offices located in Greensboro are at 1030 West Market Street and 720 Summit Avenue with hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Automated teller machines are available in the Dining Hall and Elliott University Center.

Cultural Events - The University Concert/Lecture Series brings to campus renowned performers in the fine arts, including jazz, ballet, acting companies, and others. UNCG staff, faculty, and their families may purchase season tickets for the yearlong series of events at discounted rates. For more information, contact the University Box Office at ext. 4849.

Direct Deposit of Salary Check - All new employees are required to have their paychecks directly deposited into the bank account of their choice (as long as the bank is on the University's approved list). On payday, the salary check is directly deposited into the employee's account and the employee receives a Notification of Direct Deposit slip. For further information, contact the Payroll Office, 270 Mossman Building, at ext. 5748.

Elliott University Center - Provides an informal meeting place for faculty, staff, and students. Services include rooms for meetings, television, game rooms, and other activities. Contact Elliott University Center for additional information at ext. 5510.

Food Service - Food service facilities are available on campus providing a variety of dining options at reasonable costs. Employees and their guests are invited to use these facilities located in the Elliott University Center and the University Dining Hall. Business and personal catering may be arranged through the Aramark Catering Office at ext. 5195.

I.D. Cards - All permanent employees may obtain a University identification card at the time of their initial appointment. IDs are necessary for many services, such as checking out books from the Library, cashing checks at the Cashier's Office, and use of recreational facilities. SPA employees obtain information on ID card certification in the Department of Human Resource Services; EPA employees obtain certification in the Office of the Provost. IDs may be obtained from the ID Center, located in Elliott University Center.

Intercollegiate Athletics - The University's intercollegiate athletics programs are affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. There are men's and women's basketball, soccer, tennis, and golf teams, as well as women's volleyball and softball teams and men's baseball and cross-country teams. Student athletes are recruited with the possibility of receiving athletic scholarship aid, provided through private and corporate donations to the Spartan Excellence Fund. Athletic facilities include a 2,500-seat spectator gym in the new Physical Activities Complex and a soccer stadium with seating for 1,500. For more information about intercollegiate athletics, contact the Sports Information Office at ext. 5615.

Liability Coverage - University employees are insured under the provisions of a personal liability insurance policy against judgment rendered on acts or omissions made in the course of employment. This is provided under the General Statutes of North Carolina at no cost to employees.

Longevity Pay - Awarded annually to all permanent employees subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA) who have at least ten years of total State service.

Service Awards - Awarded annually to all employees subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA) at five-year intervals to recognize total State service.

Recreational Facilities - Recreational facilities include the use of the Student Recreational Facility, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course, weight room, and gymnasium. Contact Campus Recreation at ext. 43062 for more information..

The University provides educational opportunities to meet the professional and personal learning needs of employees. Through these programs, employees are able to benefit from the courses of study offered at UNCG and other educational institutions.

Tuition Waiver - The purpose of the Tuition Waiver Program is to provide an opportunity for eligible employees to have tuition and fees waived for a course taken at any of the 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina. In order to be eligible for participation in the Tuition Waiver Program, an employee must be a permanent employee working thirty (30) or more hours per week for nine (9) or more months per calendar year.

Tuition and fee charges will be waived for a maximum of two (2) courses per academic year with no limitation as to the number of courses that can be taken each term. Courses may be taken in any term: Fall, Spring, or Summer, so long as the limit of two (2) courses per academic year is not exceeded. The Tuition Waiver Program does not cover non-credit courses, such as those offered through CallDCL. The employee is responsible for any and all additional tuition and fees charged to their student account during the term. Please visit the Cashier's Office webpage for more details.

Educational Assistance - Tuition reimbursement and leave to full-time or part-time employees who have a permanent appointment (trainees may be determined as eligible by management after satisfactory performance for a period of not less than three (3) months) are offered for courses to improve job related skills, prepare for promotional opportunities, and prepare for a career in a State or University system. Courses may not be taken during working hours unless they are not offered at another time. Application Form PD-136 available in the Department of Human Resource Services must be completed and approved prior to the beginning date of the course.