BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO STATE OF WISCONSIN EMPLOYEES

The fringe benefits offered to State of Wisconsin employee are significant, and are a valuable part of an individual’s compensation package. The fringe benefits may vary somewhat between employee groups base on: occupational status (i.e., executive, general, etc.); whether or not the employees are covered under a collective bargaining agreement; and percentage of full-time employment. The benefits available are:

RETIREMENT:
Employees are covered immediately under the Wisconsin Retirement System. Vested employee-required contributions, approximately 5% of an employee's earnings, are made by the State on behalf of the employee. The State pays another 5 - 10%, depending upon the employee's occupational status, toward the non-vested employer-required contribution.

VACATION:
Vacation is earned from the first day of employment, but cannot be used until the employee has worked for six months. Vacation is earned at the following rate:

PERSONAL HOLIDAYS:
Employees are granted 4 1/2 days of personal holiday time each year.

LEGAL HOLIDAYS:
Employees have 9 legal holidays per year.

SICK LEAVE:
Sick leave is earned at the rate of 5 hours per bi-weekly pay period for full-time employees. Unused sick leave accumulates from year to year. Upon retirement, the State matches a certain amount of the unused sick leave, and the entire balance is converted at the employee's current hourly rate to pay health insurance premiums.

HEALTH INSURANCE:
A variety of Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Plans, and fee-for-service health providers offer coverage. Employees may obtain coverage within one month of starting work, but the State contribution toward premium (reducing required employee contribution to $22-$250 per month, depending upon whether single or family coverage is chosen and which provider is selected) is not effective until 6 months of State employment under the Wisconsin Retirement System.

LIFE INSURANCE:
After 6 months of coverage of the Wisconsin Retirement System, an employee may have group term life insurance coverage in an amount up to 5 times his/her annual salary. The State contributes approximately 20% of the premium. Employees may also secure coverage for their spouse (up to $20,000) and dependents (up to $10,000 each).

INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE:
After 6 months of coverage of the Wisconsin Retirement System, employees are eligible for income continuation insurance. This benefit ensures that individuals will receive up to 75% of their gross salary for physical or mental disabilities. State contribution, which can range from 0% to 100%, is contingent upon an employee's accrual and use of sick leave.

CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE:
Excess medical, accidental death and dismemberment, and dental coverage are features of this insurance. Employees are responsible for the entire premium.

DENTAL INSURANCE:
Some dental coverage is included in many of the group health insurance plans and the catastrophic insurance plan. Many unions offer separate dental coverage to their membership.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE:
This insurance covers short-term and long-term home health care, assisted living, community-based care, and nursing home care. The plan is only available to State employees and annuitants, including their spouse, parents, and spouse’s parents. Employees pay the full premium.

EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS PROGRAM:
The employee Reimbursement Accounts Program allows employees to pay eligible medical and dependent care expenses from pre-tax rather than post-tax income. In addition, premiums for State group health, catastrophic, and life insurance (excluding spouse and dependent life insurance coverage) may be treated as pre-tax deductions.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION:
The Deferred Compensation Program allows employees to invest pre-tax earnings up to 25% of adjusted gross income or $8,000, whichever is less, in any of the investment options offered by the program.

WORKER’S COMPENSATION:
All employees are covered by the State of Wisconsin Worker’s Compensation Law the day they start employment. The law covers both mental and physical harm from either accidents or occupational diseases.