Benefits Package
Overview Western Oregon University offers a comprehensive benefit package to its faculty and staff. The purpose of this overview is to briefly describe the benefits available to WOU employees and their families. For a more detailed overview of our benefits options please see PEBB's Summary Plan Description The benefits staff in the Office of Human Resources is also always available to answer questions about Benefits.
Our benefits
Western Oregon University's benefits program is provided through the Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB). PEBB is the benefit plan administrator for all State of Oregon employees. Employees with other group medical coverage may elect to "opt out" of the PEBB medical plans and receive limited cash back (your benefits manager can help you to determine the amount you will receive back). Employee dental insurance and the $25,000 basic life insurance policy are mandatory.
New employees must enroll for benefits within 60 days of their hire date. Coverage is effective the first of the month following the hire date or the date of signature on enrollment forms, whichever is later. It is best to enroll as soon as possible to allow ample time to set up your benefits deductions. After initial enrollment, future changes can be made during the annual Open Enrollment period or due to a QSC (qualified status change) (ie: birth, marriage, divorce, death, employment changes). Please contact the benefits office at 503-838-8963 for more information.
Medical coverage
Currently, employees may choose between Regence BlueCross BlueShield and Kaiser HMO, Kaiser Added Choice, and Providence. Providence is available to employees who live or work in the Portland Metro area, Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Kaiser Added Choice is available to all employees who live or work in the Kaiser Service area and offers employees the ability to use providers outside of the Kaiser home. The Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield plan is a preferred provider plan and offers worldwide coverage for all covered services. Employees can choose any licensed physician. Under the Kaiser HMO plan, employees must live in the HMO service area and coordinate medical care through a Kaiser facility. Vision coverage is included in all medical plans. Part time medical plans are available to part-time classified employees. Please see your benefits office for more information regarding these plans.
Dental coverage
Five dental plans are available at WOU. Three of the plans are dental maintenance organizations (DMOs) with participating DMO dentists. One plan provides worldwide coverage where persons covered under the plan may chose any dentist, and one plan is a special low cost dental plan available to part-time classified employees only. Please contact your benefits office or see PEBB's Summary Plan Description for more details regarding the dental plans available.
Life insurance
Benefit eligible employees will receive $25,000 in basic life insurance coverage, and may elect for additional coverage. Optional life insurance is available up to coverage levels of $400,000. The first $45,000 of employee life insurance is paid on a pre-tax basis. Amounts above $45,000, and spouse life insurance, are deducted on a post-tax basis.
Disability insurance
WOU offers a short-term disability plan, and long-term disability coverage to our employees. Disability plans offer income protection during times when an employee is unable to work due to an injury or illness. Premiums for disability insurance are paid on a post-tax basis, and rates vary depending on the plan(s) chosen and gross monthly salary. Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance is also available for employees and family. For rates please see PEBB's Summary Plan Description .
Retirement plans
WOU currently offers two retirement plans for unclassified employees:
- * The Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP) (plan determined based on date of eligibility).
- * The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), which offers TIAA-CREF, VALIC, and ORP:ous through Fidelity
Classified employees are automatically enrolled in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System or the Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (determined based on date of eligibility). Employees eligible to participate in our retirement plans must complete six full months of employment in a qualifying position. The retirement plan receives funding from employee and employer contributions. The employee contribution, fully paid by the University, is 6% of gross salary. In addition, Western Oregon University paid the employer contribution.
Additional retirement savings programs
The University makes available to its employees Tax-deferred Investment programs 403B and 457. Through these programs, employees may accumulate tax-deferred savings to supplement retirement plans and social security. Payroll deductions are done on a pre-tax basis. Please contact your benefits office for more information.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential counseling and referral service that is provided to WOU employees as a pre-paid benefit. Three referral/counseling visits are available to WOU employees, household members, and dependents per year to help with personal or job-related issues. This service is completely confidential and operates separately from the University.
Flexible spending
Any benefit eligible employee may establish a flexible spending account to use pre-tax income to pay for eligible healthcare and dependent-care expenses. Employees may enroll in accounts within 60 days of initial date of hire, during Open Enrollment, or within 60 days of and consistent with a qualified status change. FSAs are "use it or lose it" accounts. If your expense is less than the amount that you deposit for the year you will forfeit the balance.
Long term care
Unum's Long Term Care Insurance pays benefits when you require substantial assistance with two out of six activities of daily living. Once you qualify, you will receive the monthly benefit you selected, even if your benefit payment exceeds the actual monthly charge you incur. When your plan pays a benefit, you can use the money to meet the needs that you decide are most important. How and where you receive services depends on your needs, family situation, finances, and plan selection. Employees can entoll in Long Term Care at any time. Please contact your Benefits office for more information.
Staff fees
Oregon University System employees appointed at half-time or more (not including temporary employees, graduate assistants, and other student employees) may register for classes offered by the universities in the Oregon University System at special rates for a maximum of twelve hours of credit per term. Course enrollments must be approved by an employee's supervisor or manager, and may not take precedence over the performance of an employee's duties.
Click here for further information about staff fee privileges.