Benefit Information

RETIREMENT PLANS

Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System: Employees contribute 5% of their annual salary and ASU contributes 12.54% on their behalf. Vested after five years of service.  www.apers.org

CONTACT INFORMATION:
One Union National Plaza Ste 400
124 W Capitol Ave
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 800-682-7377 or 501-682-7800

Arkansas Teachers Retirement: Available for grades 18 or above, including faculty, classified and non-classified positions. Employee must contribute 6% unless non-contributory prior to 7/1/99. ASU contributes 14%. Vested after 5 years of service.  www.atrs.state.ar.us

CONTACT INFORMATION:
1400 W Third
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 800-666-2877 or 501-682-1517

TIAA CREF Retirement System: Employees contribute a minimum of 6% of annual salary and ASU contributes 10% on their behalf. This plan is immediately 100% vested. Employees determine where their money is invested.  www.TIAA-CREF.org

ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND TIAA-CREF

CONTACT INFORMATION:
730 Third Ave
New York, NY 10017-3206
Phone: 800-842-2006 or 800-842-2733

AIG VALIC: Employees contribute a minimum of 6% of annual salary and ASU contributes 10% on their behalf. This plan is immediately 100% vested. Employees determine where their money is invested.  www.valic.com

CONTACT INFORMATION:
10809 Executive Center Dr Ste 110
Little Rock, AR 72211
501-312-8042 or 870-919-5191

Health Insurance & Prescription Plan:

Please review the Health Plan Comparison - 9 month or the Health Plan Comparison - 12 month for benefit amounts and rates.
 

New participants in any of the above plans may present a Certificate of Credible Coverage from a former employer / coverage provider to reduce or eliminate pre-existing limitations.

Prescription Plan: Included in our health plan is a pharmacy card, which is accepted by most pharmacies. This card has a co-pay of $10.00 for generic prescriptions, $30.00 for preferred brand name, and $50.00 for non-preferred brand names (list available from Human Resources). If a generic is available it will automatically be selected unless the employee elects to pay the difference between the cost of the brand name and the generic, plus the co-pay. Mail order is available. 
Customer Service: phone (7:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M.) - 1-800-990-1940 or 1-800-324-633
Third Tier Formulary Prescription List
2008 Third Tier Prescription Changes

Mail & Internet Pharmacy: Caremark.com is a mail and internet pharmacy that offers members the ultimate in convenience – prescription delivery service by mail.  Members can order by phone, internet or mail.  The prescription is then delivered to the member(s) home. 

Dental Insurance: Two optional dental plans are available through Delta Dental. High Plan monthly rates are $34.41 for individual coverage, $71.93 for the employee plus one dependent, and $107.92 for full family coverage. Low Plan monthly rates are $23.38 for individual coverage, $46.95 for the employee plus one dependent, and $69.39 for full family coverage. Please click the appropriate link to find a dentist and to review Delta Dental Plan Information.

Vision Insurance: The vision plan is offered through Spectera and the monthly rates are $7.43 for employee only, $13.83 for employee + spouse, $14.56 for employee + child(ren), $20.84 for employee + family.  There is a $10 exam co-pay and a $20 materials co-pay.  To review provider directory, please go to www.spectera.com.  Vision Plan Benefits Summary

Long Term Care: This optional CNA plan provides for a variety of services to individuals who are unable to care for themselves.  Services may range from meal preparation to 24 hour monitoring on a long-term basis.  Employees may purchase coverage for themselves, spouse, parents or in-laws.  For more information or to request a rate package, go to www.ltcbenefits.com (access password ASULTC)

Long Term Disability: Employees are eligible after completing 90 days of service. The benefit amount is 60% of salary up to $6,000 per month. Application must be completed at the time of disability. 180-day elimination period.

Short Term Disability: Employees may purchase Short-Term Disability with 8th Day Coverage or 15th Day Coverage based on age and income.

Flexible Benefits Plan (Section 125): Participation in this plan is voluntary enables employees to tax shelter a portion of their income to pay insurance premiums or to redirect money into a spending account that can be used for family medical expenses or child care.

Employee Assistance Program: Allows full-time employees of ASU and their families to access St. Bernard's Counseling Center (formerly Greenleaf) up to six times during a fiscal year without charge.

Cancer Plan: Employees may choose to purchase supplemental cancer insurance. Three options are available. (BlueAdvantage/USAble)

Accidental Death & Dismemberment: Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance may be purchased in increments of $25,000, up to $250,000, based on annual salary. This coverage is also available for spouse or children.

Supplemental Life: Supplemental Life Insurance may be purchased by the employee in increments of $25,000, up to 5 times annual salary with a maximum of $250,000. Dependent Life may also be purchased for your spouse or children.

COBRA: In the event of termination of employment or a qualifying event that ends dependent coverage, continuation of coverage may be elected by notifying Cobra-Serv at (800-488-8757). Also upon termination of coverage, at your request, we will issue a Certificate of Credible Coverage to present to future employers as proof of your coverage under this plan.

Life Insurance: ASU provides a life insurance policy for employees and their families. The benefit amounts are: Employee - 1.5 times the annual salary up to $50,000; Spouse - $2,000; Children up to age 3 - $1,000; Children age 3 to 19 (25 if full-time student) - $2,000

OTHER BENEFITS

Vacation / Sick Leave: Classified employees accrue vacation leave according to years of employment, and eight (8) hours of sick leave for each complete month of service.

Contract twelve-month employees accrue 22.5 days of vacation annually and eight hours of sick leave per month. Nine-month faculty accrue eight hours of sick leave per month (12 months accrual for a total of 12 days).

Tuition Discount: Employees, spouses and dependent children are eligible for tuition discounts. The undergrad rate is 25% of normal fee & the graduate rate is 50% of the normal fee. Employees may take one course during regular working hours with supervisor approval. Applications are available on the HR web page and must be completed and approved prior to beginning of course.

Holidays: Arkansas State University is closed for the observance of eleven (11) paid holidays per year.

Athletic Events: All ASU employees may purchase season football & basketball tickets for themselves & immediate family at a reduced rate. A free lifetime pass to athletic events is available for the employee upon retirement.

Credit Union: The Credit Union is an independent financial agency. Contact the Credit Union Office for more information at (870) 935-9336.  www.neafcu.org 

Bookstore: Employees with identification card will receive a 25% discount on all merchandise and used textbooks (excluding sale items, computer software and hardware). Employees receive a 10% discount on all new textbooks.

Parking Decal/ Identification Card: Employees must purchase a parking decal and be issued an Employee Identification Card from the Office of Finance. Upon termination, the ID card must be returned to the supervisor before the last payroll check will be released.

Direct Payroll Deposit: All new employees eligible for benefits must direct deposit their payroll check. If an employee chooses not to participate in direct deposit they must provide a written statement requesting payment by check.

Catastrophic Leave Bank: After completing two years of service, employees become eligible for the Catastrophic Leave Bank.  Employees may elect to donate to the Catastrophic Leave Bank after completing two years of service and may donate hours in increments of 8 up to a maximum of 40 hours. Employees who have 80 hours of vacation and/or sick leave on the books at the onset of an illness or injury and have completed the two years of service may apply for Catastrophic Leave to supplement their income while they are on leave from the University. 

For more information, please contact your Human Resources Representative at #3454.