|
|
New academic year may bring some new benefits
NSF director Colwell will speak here
Psychologists study skills needed for stressful jobs
Preserving the views: Window washers keeping it clean
Cheatham new director at Washington Technology Center
Profile: Adviser of the Year Melissa Wensel
Community college students get 'Next Step' scholarships at UW Tacoma
Criteria for professional staff position, salary reviews outlined
Get season tickets for School of Drama shows
FIUTS prepares for 50th
Business cards available online
Last UWeek until Fall Quarter
New academic year may bring some new benefits
New benefit programs for UW employees and changes in some existing programs are on the horizon. Here’s a glimpse at what is coming:
Creation of a medical expense reimbursement account that retirees would use to pay post-retirement medical, dental or vision out-of-pocket expenses, including deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance or post-retirement medical, dental, Medicare, or long-term care insurance premiums for themselves and their dependents. The plan is a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association, or VEBA. Instead of an employee cashing out compensable sick leave at retirement those dollars would be deposited tax-free into a VEBA account on the employee’s behalf. UW Benefits is in the process of developing procedures for the plan, which it expects to offer Jan. 1, 1999. Washington Personnel Resources Board classified, contract classified, professional staff, and librarians would be eligible to participate. According to IRS rules, participation in VEBA would be determined by a vote of all eligible employees. If a majority of those voting favor participation, all retiring employees must participate. Employees are invited to send comments to benefits@u.washington.edu, or call 543-2800.
The long-term care insurance program available to all state employees, their spouses, parents, and in-laws is open for enrollment through Monday, Nov. 30. Long-term care includes a broad range of medical, personal and social services provided to people who are unable to care for themselves over a relatively long period of time. Although most people think long-term care refers to care in a nursing home, care can also be provided at home by home health care workers, nurses, therapists, or in a community-based adult day care center.
The annual Medical/Dental Open Enrollment is Thursday, Oct. 15 through Monday, Nov. 30, 1998 with changes effective Friday, Jan. 1, 1999. This is the one opportunity each year for employees to change medical and dental plans. The Public Employees Benefits Board has approved the insurance premiums for 1999. Most plans continue to have minimal or no premium, however some rates will increase while others will drop. The new rates and open enrollment information will be available at the Benefits Web site. The best way to learn about the plans offered is to attend a Benefits Fair, scheduled for Oct. 27 at Harborview, Oct. 28 at UWMC/Health Sciences, and Oct. 29 at the HUB West Ballroom.
Look for future information about these programs in your mailbox, or on the Benefits Office Web site at http://www.washington.edu/admin/benefits. The office can be reached by e-mail at benefits@u.washington.edu, or by phone 543-2800. ¶
University Week
The faculty and staff publication of the University of Washington
uweek@u.washington.edu
August 20, 1998
|
