Western Washington University

Summary of Benefits

Western Washington University is proud to offer a generous benefits package to all eligible employees.  Following you will find a summary of these benefits, with additional detail provided later in this guide.

MEDICAL

WWU offers four comprehensive medical plans from which you can choose.  There are three Standard Managed Care plans (e.g., Group Health Value, Group Health Cooperative, Aetna) and a Preferred Provider Organization (e.g., Uniform Medical).  Each plan has different terms and options which allow you to choose a plan that will fit your personal and family needs. You can visit the Public Employee Benefit Board website at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov

DENTAL

WWU provides dental benefits to you and your eligible dependents for no additional premium.  You have the option to select from two managed care plans (e.g., DeltaCare and Willamette) and one Preferred Provider Organization (e.g., Uniform Dental).You can visit the Public Employee Benefit Board website at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov

LIFE INSURANCE

WWU provides a basic term life insurance policy in the amount of $25,000 plus an additional $5,000 of accidental death & dismemberment coverage at no cost to you.  You also have the opportunity to enroll in additional term life insurance at competitive group rates. 

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

The Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan is designed to help protect you from the financial risk of loss of earnings due to serious injury or illness.  WWU provides a basic long-term disability policy at no cost to you.  Benefits under the basic plan are payable after 90 days of disability and would provide a maximum benefit of $240 per month.  You may also enroll in optional long-term disability insurance, the cost of which will be based on your selected waiting period, gross monthly salary, and retirement plan.  When combined with basic plan benefits, the optional plan will pay up to 60% of the first $10,000 of your predisability income. 

RETIREMENT

As an eligible employee, you will participate in one of the following retirement plans:  the Western Washington University Retirement Plan (WWURP), Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), Washington State Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), or the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System (LEOFF).  Participation in a specific retirement plan will depend upon your employee classification.  You can visit the plan websites at:

www.benefits.wwu.edu             Western Washington University Retirement Program

www.drs.wa.gov                       PERS, TRS, & LEOFF

SUPPLEMENTAL TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

You may voluntarily contribute through payroll deduction to a tax-deferred 403(b) SRA (Supplemental Retirement Account) and/or The State of Washington Deferred Compensation Plan (457).  These plans allow you to save additional dollars for retirement on a pre-tax basis and you may contribute to one or both of these plans, effectively doubling your retirement savings potential.  For further information, please contact the Benefits Office at 650-7713, benefits@wwu.edu, or on the web at www.benefits.wwu.edu

MEDICAL FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)

The Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an IRS-approved, tax-free account that saves you money on eligible medical expenses. You authorize per-pay period deposits to your FSA from your before-tax salary (deposits are not subject to Federal, Social Security or Medicare taxes). Then, as you incur eligible expenses, you request tax-free withdrawals from your account to reimburse yourself.  Your FSA may be used to cover expenses incurred by yourself, your spouse, and qualifying children and relatives.  You may contribute up to $2,400 each plan year.  You must re-enroll in the FSA program each year during open enrollment to be effective the following January 1.  To determine what expenses are eligible and for information on how to enroll, please refer to the FSA Plan Summary on the Benefits website (www.benefits.wwu.edu) or visit www.asiflex.com/pebb/

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program allows you to pay for charges that you incur for the care of your dependents so that you or, if married, you and your spouse/same-sex domestic partner may work. This includes expenses for eligible dependent children (up to age 13) and may apply to a spouse or dependent who resides with you and is physically or mentally incapable of self care. Care for eligible dependents may be provided inside your home or at a day care center or family day care.

Upon enrollment, you elect an amount to be withheld from your paycheck before federal and Social Security taxes are withheld. That amount is deducted from your pay in equal installments throughout the upcoming calendar year.  The amounts set aside are then used to reimburse your dependent care expenses.  To learn more about this program, please visit their website at www.drs.wa.gov/Member/Publications/DCAP/.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The Health Promotion Network Employee Assistance Program of St. Joseph’s Hospital offers free, confidential, professional assistance to help employees and their families resolve problems that affect their personal lives and job performance.  The EAP Provides all types of services ranging from individual counseling to referrals for financial and legal issues.  For further information, please visit their website at www.peacehealth.org/Whatcom/EAP

GUARANTEED EDUCATION TUITION PROGRAM (GET)

GET is a program that allows families in Washington to purchase college tuition in advance, over time, for your children’s future higher education.  You may open an account for a family member, grandchild, niece/nephew, cousin and others.  Prepaid tuition units are purchased in either a lump sum or a custom monthly payment program.  Payments can be made through payroll deductions set up through the program.  For further information, please visit the GET website at www.get.wa.gov

WADE KING STUDENT RECREATION CENTER

The Wade King SRC offers many activities for members including a rock climbing wall, three weight and cardio areas, three court gym, pool and whirlpool, wellness room and more!  Take advantage of their personal trainers and fitness classes that range from aerobics to pilates to Muay Thai kickboxing.  For further information, please visit their website at http://www.wwu.edu/campusrec

LIBERTY MUTUAL GROUP AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE

Liberty Mutual offers group discounts on auto, home, and renters insurance to State employees with the convenience of payroll deduction.  For further information, please visit their website at http://www.pebb.hca.wa.gov/benefits/libertymutual.shtml

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

We offer a voluntary Group Long-Term Care Insurance Plan for all eligible actively-at-work employees and their eligible spouse/qualified partners, parents and parents-in-law.  The plan covers expenses such as conventional nursing homes, in-home nursing care, qualified adult day care facilities, and alternate care facilities.  Your age and plan election determine your monthly premium.  If you terminate employment, you will be able to continue your coverage at the same group rate.  For further information, please visit  the John Hancock website at http://pebbltc.jhancock.com, User ID:  pebbltc; password:  jhancock.

ASSOCIATED STUDENTS

An organization designed and run by Western students, the Associated Students (AS) seeks to ensure a fulfilling college and academic experience for all university students through the many services, facilities and programs it offers.  WWU employees are able to enjoy many of the facilities and services that AS has to offer, such as renting canoes and kayaks at Lakewood, on-campus child care at the Child Development Center, weekend getaways at Viqueen Lodge located on Sinclair Island, and many more!  For more information visit their website at http://www.as.wwu.edu/services/.

WESTERN ASSOCIATED STUDENTS BOOKSTORE

The Western AS Bookstore is owned and operated by WWU in partnership with the Associated Students of WWU to serve the Western campus community.  Bookstore revenues are returned to the AS for programs and services.  Western employees receive a 10% discount on eligible purchases by showing their Western ID card at the cash register.  (Items not included in the discount are textbooks, computer hardware, software and peripherals, calculators and diploma frames.)  For more information please contact the AS Bookstore at 650-7420.

VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEE’S BENEFICIARY ASSOCIATION (VEBA)

The VEBA Medical Expense Plan allows you to pay for eligible medical expenses on a pre-tax basis after retirement.  If you are eligible to participate in VEBA, WWU will deposit your cash-out of compensable unused sick leave at retirement, tax free, to a VEBA Trust account.  The opportunity for you to participate in VEBA at retirement is dependent upon your employee classification.  For further information, please contact your Benefits Office at 650-7713, benefits@wwu.edu, or on the web at http://www.benefits.wwu.edu

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS BENEFITS

The Faculty Club is open to all Faculty and Professional Staff and is a great opportunity to meet employees from other departments and colleges on campus at a weekly gathering at the Canada House from 4-6 p.m. on Fridays during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters. 

All employees are eligible for membership at Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU).  WECU offers a Summer Savings Plan which is open to all Faculty and Cyclic Staff.  You can set up a Savings account at WECU and elect a percentage of gross income to be deposited for use during your cyclic leave.