East Tennessee State University

RETIREMENT PLANS
INSURANCE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
LEAVE PROGRAMS
EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS
HOLIDAYS
LONGEVITY PAY PLAN
BUCSPORTS
TENNESSEE STATE PARK DISCOUNTS
FACULTY AND STAFF IDENTIFICATION CARDS
HOME MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE
HIPAA PRIVACY
OPTIONAL BENEFITS
PAYROLL CHECK ABBREVIATIONS

RETIREMENT PLANS

The university provides two types of non-contributory (no contributions by the employee) retirement to choose from:

a. The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System - a defined benefit plan where the total years of experience and the highest five consecutive years' salary is used in the computation of the retirement benefit. It has a five-year vesting requirement. All regular full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible for this plan.

b. The Optional Retirement Plan - an annuity plan in which 10 percent of the employee's salary up to the social security wage base  and 11 percent on the salary above the social security wage base is sent to the annuity of choice. All regular full-time and regular part-time faculty and administrative employees are eligible for this plan. There are three vendors ING, TIAA-CREF, and AIG VALIC. The employee can participate in one, two, or all three and can transfer between companies.

On-Line Calculators Simplify Retirement Planning:

You can now calculate your future social security benefits, TCRS benefits, and Deferred Compensation benefits for 401(k) and 457 plans in just a few minutes using the calculators on the Internet. In addition to these calculators, each of these three programs will automatically mail you a benefit projection statement once a year. TCRS mails in October, Deferred Compensation mails in February, and Social Security mails in the month (usually two months prior to birthday) to workers over age 25.

Social Security calculator          TCRS calculator          Deferred Compensation calculator   

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INSURANCE PROGRAMS

All employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week are eligible to participate in the State of Tennessee Group Insurance program -- Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO option (http://www.bcbst.com), United Healthcare HMO option (https://www.uhcrivervalley.com/employer/tennstate/) or Cigna POS Option (CIGNA Information).  The program provides health, basic term life, and basic special accident insurance for the employee and his/her dependents. Premiums are paid 80 percent by the university and 20 percent by the employee.

Additional optional plans include Dental Insurance, Optional Special Accident, Long Term Care, Optional Term Life, Optional Universal Life, cancer care, intensive care, and two long-term disability plans. A flexible benefits plan is provided.

The State of Tennessee Division of Insurance Administration (DIA) site features enrollment and claims information, frequently asked questions, and descriptions of DIA services and programs.  Also available is an Insurance Handbook for State and Higher Education Employees which provides a summary of employee benefits (http://www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/inspub.html). 

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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Employee Assistance Program and provides consultation and referral for employees and their eligible dependents who are experiencing personal problems which are likely to impact work performance and/or personal well-being.  

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LEAVE PROGRAMS

Twelve-month faculty and executive/professional/administrative staff earn 2 days annual (vacation) and 1 day of sick leave monthly.  Regular full-time clerical and support personnel earn 1 day of sick leave monthly, and accrue annual leave (1-2 days monthly) based upon years of service.  Nine-month faculty earn sick leave. Participation in a faculty and/or non-faculty sick leave bank is optional.  Additional information on leave programs can be found under Personnel Policies and Procedures :
 

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EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS

The university is committed to the need for the continued professional growth and development of staff and faculty, and considers support for educational expenses of employees an important vehicle for addressing that need. The specific educational programs available to employees include:

1. Faculty and Administrative/Professional Staff Grant-in-Aid Program
2. Faculty or Administrative/Professional Staff Tuition or Maintenance Fee Reimbursement Program
3. Employee Audit Program
4. Clerical and Support Staff Maintenance Fee Payment Program
5. Request for State Employee Fee Waiver - PC191
6. Black Staff Development Program
7. Black Faculty Development Program
8. Student Fee Discount for Spouses and Dependent Children of Employees

Forms can be found at the Human Resources Forms website or at the university comptroller's office web site.  Detailed descriptions of educational programs are contained in the university's Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.  Various scholarship programs are available for both employees and dependents (see Personnel Policies and Procedures 13 Educational Benefits).
 

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HOLIDAYS

There are 13 official university holidays (see ETSU Holiday Schedule).

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LONGEVITY PAY PLAN

A longevity pay plan is in place to reward state employees for extended full-time service to the state,  subject to yearly positive action by the State Legislature. Upon completion of 36 months of service, regular full-time employees are eligible to receive the current established rate of $100 per year of service, not to exceed $3,000 (see Personnel Policies and Procedures 15 Longevity Pay).

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Some discounts are available to full-time or retired state employees, which also includes employees of state-supported colleges and schools, employees and members of the Tennessee National Guard, and members of the General Assembly. In general, between April 1 and October 31, employees receive 25% off inn rooms and cabins, and between November 1 and March 31 the discount is 50%. The discount does not apply to business travel and is valid only if reservations are made no more than 30 days in advance for inn rooms and 7 days in advance for cabins. Current state ID or verification of retirement will be required at check-in. For more specific discount information and exclusions, contact TN State Parks.

If you have questions about State Parks Reservations, contact
Agency: TN Department of Environment & Conservation
Address: TN State Parks Division, 7th Floor L&C Tower, Nashville, TN 37243
Phone: 888-TN-PARKS (888-867-2757)
E-mail: ask.tnstateparks@state.tn.us

If you have questions about this online service, contact
TennesseeAnytime Help Desk
Phone: 615-313-0300 or toll-free at 1-866-8TN-EGOV
E-mail: help@tennesseeanytime.org

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   EMPLOYEE ID CARD, BADGES, AND CAMPUS DEBIT CARD (ID BUC$)

All employees must obtain an official East Tennessee State University ID Card in order to have full access to all university facilities and services.  Your ID card not only provides employee identification, but will also allow access to Sherrod Library services. All benefited employees are also granted access with their ID card to the Center for Physical Activity.  You may also need door access to selected areas on campus, depending on your job.  Please check with your department head for authorization, if you require door access.

You may also have a need to wear an ETSU ID Badge.  Your department head will determine if your job requires a badge to be worn on campus.  Badges are only made at the request from campus departments.  Badges have no encoding on back of card or ID number printed on the front. 

 Employees may also choose to create a debit account called ID BUC$ using your ID Card.  You may use ID BUC$ in the Campus Bookstore, all Food Service locations on campus (employees receive a nice discount in Main Meal with ID BUC$), and Coke and Snack machines located all over campus. ID BUC$ are also accepted at participating off campus merchants.  You may make a deposit online, payroll deduction, phone, or at the Campus ID Services Office. 

 ID cards will be issued during new employee orientations or anytime after starting your employment. There is no charge for your first ID card.  However, a replacement fee will be accessed for a lost or stolen ID card or ID badge.  Please come by the ID Services Office on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center for a brochure and additional information or visit our web site, which details services and the terms and conditions.

CAMPUS ID SERVICES OFFICE                  REGULAR OFFICE HOURS:
P.O. BOX 70611                                              MONDAY – 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
JOHNSON CITY, TN 37614                           THURSDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PHONE: 423-439-8316                                    http://www.etsu.edu/id

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Recognizing that housing is important in the lives of our employees, ETSU is working with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) to provide an Employee Assisted Housing (EAH) Program.  Through the EAH program our employees will be provided with educational information on the home buying process and home buyer education counseling programs.  Additionally, ETSU employees are eligible for affordable mortgage products and down payment and closing cost assistance as a result of our participation in the TDHA program.  If you are interested in learning more about the EAH program, please visit this website:  http://www.thda.org.  A brochure containing an overview of the program is located at http://www.etsu.edu/humanres/EAHEmployeeBrochure.pdf. For more information, please call Rich Ashley at 423-439-6130.

In addition to the Homebuyer Education Workshops being held at ETSU, the workshops will also be offered by Eastern Eight Development Corporation at the times and locations below:

To register please contact:    Mindy Bowman, FTDD 722-5100 or Debbie Perry, Eastern Eight Community Development Corporation 232-5097

Class Locations:                    Johnson City:          207 N. Boone St., Suite 500 (January 26th class only!)

                                                         New Address:        221 E Unaka Ave. Johnson City  (all classes!)

                                             Bristol:                    Slater Community Center, 124 McDowell Street

                                            Greeneville, Mountain City, Elizabethton:     Call for location

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For more information about other Benefit Programs, call 423-439-6126.

Please fill out our Customer Service Survey

Mailing Address:  Office of Human Resources
ETSU Box 70564
Johnson City, TN  37614-1707
Telephone:  423-439-4457
Fax:  423-439-8354
TDD:  423-439-4710

Office Hours:  8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Monday - Friday
Office Location:  Room 307, Dossett Hall

Webmaster

since 11/05/08

Updated on 11/05/08