NJCSC - 2011 Compensation Compendium


State benefits programs

	In addition to the salary programs, State employees are entitled to a number of benefits programs. The details of these benefits programs are set forth in various statutes, regulations and collective negotiations agreements. However, this Appendix summarizes the programs that are currently available and provides the sources for further information. Programs administered in accordance with Civil Service Commission regulations. Programs are administered by the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of the Treasury, in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. Programs are administered by each State appointing authority. Other benefit programs. The following programs are administered in accordance with Civil Service Commission regulations: Supplemental Compensation on Retirement - Eligible retirees are entitled to one half pay for unused accumulated sick time at retirement, up to a maximum of $15,000. Vacation Leave - One day per month during initial employment. On January 1 following appointment, the career service employee receives 12 days per year. After five years of employment, the employee is credited with 15 days per year; after twelve years 20 days; and after twenty years 25 days. One year’s allowance of unused vacation leave may be carried over to the next year. Employees are paid for unused days upon termination or retirement. In some departments, unclassified employees have vacation leave entitlements based on a plan specific to that department. Administrative Leave - One half day per month during initial employment, up to three days. The employee is credited with three days per year thereafter. Administrative leave may be used for personal business and can be used in conjunction with vacation leave. Administrative leave does not accumulate. Sick Leave - One day per month during initial employment. On every January 1 following appointment, the employee is credited with 15 days per year. Unused sick days accumulate from year to year with no limit on accumulation. School Volunteer Leave – State employees in the career, senior executive and unclassified services are entitled to paid leave of up to 20 hours per calendar year to volunteer in an academically beneficial school activity in New Jersey approved by the local board of education or other administrative authority of the school. Jury Duty - Employees receive full pay while serving on jury duty. Military Leave - Permanent employees who belong to the NJ National Guard receive full pay for all mandatory duty up to 90 days per year. Members of the Reserves receive full pay for time spent in unit field training operations. Leave without pay is available for other types of military service, and differential pay is provided for participants in specified military operations in accordance with Executive Orders by the Governor. Convention Delegate Leave - Delegates to conventions of specified organizations, receive up to five days with pay to attend the convention for that organization. Athletic Competition Leave - Members of the United States team for athletic competition at the world, Pan American or Olympic level, in a sport contested in either the Pan American or Olympic games, receive full pay for up to 90 calendar days for training camp and competition combined. Emergency Civilian Duty - Career employees are given time off with pay to perform emergency civilian duty in relation to national defense or other emergency when so ordered by the Governor or by the President of the United States. Leave to Appear as a Witness - Employees are granted time off with pay to appear as a witness or a party before a judicial or administrative body or legislative committee when such appearance is part of the job function. Leave with pay is also granted when employee is summoned as a witness in a proceeding to which he or she is not a named party. Sick Leave Injury - This benefit provides time off with pay for up to a year when an employee is disabled due to a work-related injury or illness. Sick leave injury benefits are reduced by the amount of any temporary disability or workers’ compensation payment. Donated Leave Program - This program allows State employees to voluntarily donate a portion of their earned sick and/or vacation time to other State employees who have exhausted their own earned leave time and who are suffering from a catastrophic health condition or injury which mandates the employee’s prolonged absence from work. Voluntary Furlough Program - This program allows employees to take up to 30 days (extensions up to 60 days may be requested) off from work without pay in a calendar year without adversely affecting the accrual of leave time or seniority. Leaves Without Pay - Employees with permanent status may be granted leaves of absence without pay for a period not to exceed one year. Leaves may be extended beyond one year for exceptional circumstances. Education Leave - Employees may be granted leaves with or without pay for the purpose of obtaining training that is of direct value to the State but is not available through State in-service training programs. Tuition Aid Program - Subject to available appropriations, eligible employees are provided tuition aid to complete required course work at accredited educational institutions which relates to current or planned job responsibilities. Employee Interchange Program - This program allows employees to participate in an interchange program with any federal, State or local governmental or private sector entity with the intent to improve the management of government through shared experience, communication and learning.


	The following programs are administered by the Division of Pensions and Benefits, Department of the Treasury, in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. For more detailed information, please visit the Division of Pensions and Benefits website at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/ State Health Benefits Program - This benefit is provided to eligible State employees and their eligible dependents in one of two options: 1) a Preferred Provider Organization — NJ DIRECT; and 2) Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) — either Aetna HMO or CIGNA HealthCare HMO. Most participating employees pay 1.5% of their annual base salary as a health contribution toward the cost of the program. Employee Prescription Drug Plan – This benefit is provided to eligible State employees and their eligible dependents, and offers payment for certain prescription drugs subject to a set of copayments. Medco Health Solutions, Inc. is the prescription drug manager for the Employee Prescription Drug Plan. Employee Dental Plans - This benefit is provided to eligible State employees and their eligible dependents. Eligible employees have two options: 1) An Indemnity Plan — the Dental Expense Plan; and 2) one of six participating Dental Plan Organizations (DPOs) — Aetna DMO, BeneCare, CIGNA Dental Care, Community Dental Associates, Horizon Dental Choice, or I.H.S./Healthplex. The employee pays 50% of the cost of the selected dental plan. State-Administered Retirement Systems - There are several retirement systems that provide pension benefits for State employees: Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS); Teachers' Pension and Annuity Fund (TPAF); Police and Firemen's Retirement System (PFRS); State Police Retirement System (SPRS); Judicial Retirement System (JRS); Defined Contribution Retirement Program (DCRP); and the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP). The details of the benefits vary according to the retirement system to which the employee belongs. Group Life Insurance - Most employees enrolled in a State-administered retirement system receive group term life insurance at no cost. The amount varies according to the retirement system to which the employee belongs. Employees in some retirement systems have the option to purchase additional coverage. Group life insurance coverage is administered for the State of New Jersey by the Prudential Insurance Company of America. New Jersey State Employees Deferred Compensation Program - This benefit is provided to State employees who wish to participate, and offers the ability to defer taxation on a portion of compensation while saving for retirement. Supplemental Annuity Collective Trust of New Jersey (SACT) - This benefit is provided to State employees who wish to participate, and offers the ability to defer taxation on a portion of compensation while saving for retirement. Long Term Care Insurance Plan – This benefit is provided to eligible State employees and their eligible relatives who wish to participate. The employee pays for the entire cost of this program. The plan is administered for the State of New Jersey by the Prudential Insurance Company of America. State Employees Tax Savings Program (Tax$ave) – A benefit program available under Section 125 of the federal Internal Revenue Code, Tax$ave allows eligible employees to set aside before-tax dollars to pay for certain medical, dental, and dependent care expenses, thereby avoiding federal taxes and saving money. Tax$ave consists of three parts: Premium Option Plan - The Premium Option Plan allows employees to pay any State Health Benefits Program medical and/or dental premiums they have with before-tax dollars. Unreimbursed Medical Spending Account - The Unreimbursed Medical Spending Account allows employees to set aside before-tax dollars to pay for medical and dental expenses NOT paid by insurance. Dependent Care Spending Account - The Dependent Care Spending Account allows employees to set aside before-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. The Unreimbursed Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts are administered for the State of New Jersey by Fringe Benefits Management Company (FBMC). New Jersey State Employees Commuter Tax Savings Program (Commuter Tax$ave) - A benefit program available under Section 132(f) of the federal Internal Revenue Code, Commuter Tax$ave allows eligible employees to set aside before-tax dollars to pay for mass transit and commuter parking expenses, thereby avoiding federal taxes and saving money.


	The following programs are administered by each State appointing authority in accordance with provisions set forth in collective negotiations agreements: Clothing Maintenance Allowance - This benefit is provided to certain State employees. Eligibility and amounts are established in accordance with contractual provisions. Tool Allowance - This benefit is provided to certain State employees. Eligibility and amounts are established in accordance with contractual provisions. Eye Care Program - This benefit is provided to all eligible State employees and their dependents, and offers reimbursement toward the cost of eye examinations and prescription lenses.


	Other benefit programs are as follows: Holidays - The following holidays are observed: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday in January); Washington’s Birthday (Third Monday in February); Good Friday; Memorial Day (Last Monday in May); Independence Day; Labor Day (First Monday in September); Columbus Day (Second Monday in October); Election Day; Veteran’s Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas. Any holiday which falls on a Saturday will be observed the preceding Friday. Any holiday which falls on a Sunday will be observed the following Monday. Workers’ Compensation - This benefit is provided to employees who are injured or who contract an occupational disease while working. The benefits include medical care, temporary disability payments and compensation for a resulting permanent disability. This program is administered through the Division of Risk Management, Department of the Treasury, in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. Temporary Disability Insurance Program - This program provides cash benefits when an employee cannot work due to illness or injury which is not work-related. It is administered by the Division of Temporary Disability Insurance, Department of Labor, in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. Child Care Assistance - At some State locations, on-site day care centers are provided at a reduced rate. Human Resource staff are familiar with these programs, where available. Family Leave - Under the New Jersey Family Leave Act, eligible employees receive up to 12 weeks of leave to provide care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or for a family member with a serious health condition. Under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees also receive up to 12 weeks’ leave for their own serious health condition. The employee may use paid leave, but must meet the requirements for the type of paid leave used. Whether paid or unpaid, health benefits and seniority are continued during the family leave. Family Leave Insurance The Family Leave Insurance benefits program became effective July 1, 2009 and provides covered individuals income replacement benefits. Family Leave Insurance benefits can be claimed in order to Bond with a child during the first 12 months after the child’s birth or the first 12 months after the placement of the child for adoption with the covered individual; or to Care for a family member with a serious health condition The Insurance is 100% funded by employee contributions through payroll deductions beginning January 1, 2009. For more information on Family Leave Insurance, refer to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s website at: http://lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/fli/fliindex.html