Employee Benefits
This page is a summary of employee benefits. The information in this summary is subject to change and to the legal documents pertaining to each benefit plan. Those documents are the final source of the amount and availability of the various benefits. For additional information, contact Human Resources, 309-298-1853.
- Insurance Eligibility
- Temporary Faculty
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement
- SURS Disability Benefits
- Voluntary Supplemental Long-Term Disability Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Tax Deferred Options
- How to Set Up a Tax Deferred Account
- Workers Compensation
- Employees On Leave Or Layoff
- The Board of Trustees Tuition Reduction and Educational Assistant Plan
- 50% Tuition Waiver for Children of Public University Employee
- "Tide You Over" Program
Insurance Eligibility
A full time permanent employee at WIU is entitled to certain basic insurance benefits through the State Employee Group Insurance Plan. These benefits include term life insurance and comprehensive health insurance (includes dental & vision). Group coverage begins on the first day of eligible employment and terminates on the last active day of employment. Participation in the group health/dental/vision coverage may be waived with approved proof of other comprehensive coverage. Participation in the Group Health Insurance Plan is optional. Basic life insurance is provided for all eligible full-time and part-time employees working half-time or more, for 9 months or more. They are required to pay a portion of basic cost if they elect to participate in the health/dental/vision plan. For example, a half-time employee would pay 50% of the basic cost and a 75%-time employee would pay 25% of the basic cost. An eligible part-time employee who initially refuses coverage may elect coverage when they experience a qualifying change in family circumstance or during a Benefit Choice period, with coverage effective the following July 1.
Temporary Faculty
Available benefits vary based on the percentage and length of employment. Call to schedule a benefits appointment within one week from the first date of employment (or earlier) to enroll for eligible benefits.
Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
An eligible employee has a choice of two health plans and two dental plans. Vision coverage is provided with health coverage. Eligible dependents may be covered. A six month limit pre-existing condition may be reduced by the amount of "creditable coverage" members or dependents may have had with another insurance plan prior to enrollment with one of the State's plans, provided there was not a break in coverage of more than 63 days. A "Certificate of Creditable Coverage" from the prior plan must be provided to WIU at enrollment to reduce the pre-existing condition time period. Federal law now requires all health insurance plans to provide "Certificates of Creditable Coverage" upon termination from their plan.
For more information regarding these plans, please visit www.benefitschoice.il.gov
Life Insurance
An eligible employee is insured for a basic life benefit in the amount of the annual salary and may purchase the following options: 1) Additional term life insurance up to 8 times basic life 2) Term life insurance for spouse (maximum $5,000) and/or eligible children (maximum $5,000) 3) Accidental death and dismemberment insurance equal to 1, 2, 3 or 4 times your basic life benefit. An additional individual term life insurance plan is available to cover you, your spouse, and/or children. This plan offers guaranteed insurability for $30,000 of employee life coverage during an open enrollment or within 30 days of employment. (Back)
Employee Assistance Program (Quick Reference Guide)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential service free to all University employees eligible for benefits and their families. The EAP provides positive, professional assistance to individuals experiencing some type of personal problem, e.g. marital or family problems, emotional stress or depression, alcohol or drug dependencies. An eligible person can see an EAP counselor up to 3 times for any one problem with no cost to the employee.
To contact the EAP, call 1-866-659-3848. Tell the operator if you have an emergency and a counselor will return your call. For more detailed information about the program, contact EAP or Human Resources. (Back)
Retirement
An eligible employee has a choice of three State Universities Retirement System (SURS) plans; SURS Traditional Plan, SURS Portable Plan or SURS Self-Managed Plan. The employee contributes 8% of gross earnings (9 1/2% for police officers). Participation is mandatory for employees employed for 4 months or longer. New employees also pay 1.45% Medicare tax. New employees have 6 months from date of employment to choose a SURS option or default to the SURS Traditional Plan. (Back)
SURS Disability Benefits
Accident - You qualify for benefits the first day of your contract.
Illness - You qualify for benefits after you establish two years of service credit. (Back)
Voluntary Supplemental Long-Term Disability Benefits
(application and enrollment form)
If you are unable to work, LTD benefits help replace a portion of your salary. Each active full-time employee who is a) a participant in the SURS; b) is a permanent employee with an appointment of 50% time or more; or a temporary employee with an appointment of 50% time or more for at least nine months is eligible to purchase a supplemental long term disability plan. You must be actively at work on the effective date of your coverage; otherwise, your coverage becomes effective the day you return to work at your normal schedule. Your benefit will be equal to 66.67% of your basic monthly gross earnings to a maximum of $8,000 per month, reduced by any benefits you receive from other sources.
Flexible Spending Accounts
These plans allow you to save tax dollars on qualifying expenses. You will be reimbursed with pre-tax dollars from your account when you submit receipts with a special claim form. Enrollment in these plans is limited to the Benefit Choice period, within 60 days of employment or within 60 days of a qualifying change. NOTE: Government regulations require that you forfeit any unused money in your medical care and dependent care accounts at the end of the plan year. These plans have strict limitations. Call Human Resources to request a detailed brochure for the following programs:
Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
This plan provides for the reimbursement of eligible expenses for the care of a qualified dependent. You are encouraged to consult your tax adviser before enrolling in this plan. Study the plan brochure carefully before enrolling. (Back)
Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP)
This plan allows you to save tax dollars on medical and dental expenses that are not paid by insurance. A list of eligible expenses may be seen in IRS Publication, Medical and Dental Expenses, (Section 213, Publication 502). Study the plan brochure carefully before enrolling. (Back)
Tax Deferred Options
Contributing to a tax deferred supplemental retirement plan reduces your current taxable gross income. Such a plan allows you to defer tax until the money is withdrawn (i.e., at retirement when your taxable income may be smaller). There are several types of Tax Deferred Accounts available. You may elect one or more of the following options:
- Tax deferred annuity
- Tax deferred mutual fund account
- Deferred compensation (Back)
How to Set Up a Tax Deferred Account
The names of the representatives of the plans currently approved by the Board of Trustees are available from Human Resources. If you wish to participate in the State Employees Deferred Compensation Program, call 309-298-1853 for enrollment forms.
Workers Compensation
An employee who suffers from a job related injury or disablement should immediately seek medical attention and notify both their supervisor and the Workers Compensation Coordinator in Human Resources. An employee who is unable to work due to an injury arising out of and in the course of employment will be considered for workers compensation benefits. These payments are initiated at the employee's request and are payable only after proper documentation is submitted to, and approved by, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services. (Back)
Employees On Leave Or Layoff
- If the layoff does not exceed four months in any calendar year, basic benefits continue.
- If on leave, the employee must pay premiums for basic and optional coverages directly to Central Management Services in Springfield.
The Board of Trustees Tuition Reduction and Educational Assistant Plan
The Board Regulations establishes tuition and fee waivers for eligible employees. Employees may obtain further information and a copy of the Board of Trustees Tuition Reduction and Educational Assistance Plan from Human Resources or the Provost's Office.
50% Tuition Waiver for Children of Public University Employee
50% tuition waivers for undergraduate education at Illinois public universities shall be made available for eligible children of employees who have 7 or more years of total Illinois university employment. Contact Human Resources, 309/298-1853, or Financial Aid, 309/298-2446, for additional information.
"Tide You Over" Program
Need some extra cash to "tide you over" until you receive your first paycheck? For more information contact Diane Sayers, Human Resources, 309-298-1971 or Sandra Murphy, Provost's Office, 309-298-2216.
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Related Content
- Other Resources
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
- Provost's Office
- Diversity Programs at Western
- Western Illinois University Board of Trustees
- Western Illinois University Chapter - State Universities Annuitants Association
- State Universities Civil Service System - (includes information about Statutes & Rules, Class Specifications, Employee Data, Procedures Manuals, and more)
- SURS - State Universities Retirement System of Illinois
- McDonough County Senior Services Directory
- CMS Deferred Compensation Plan - supplemental retirement plan open to all full-time state employees
