Additional Benefits 2008-2009 

AUTO AND PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE - Coverage is available through Liberty Mutual Insurance Group. Premiums are payroll deducted with no interest or service charge for this convenient payment plan.  Employees may receive up to a 5% discount.  Contact Liberty Mutual, Denise Sanders, 1-800-562-6041 ext. 55418 or www.libertymutual.com/lm/denisesanders.

COLLEGE EVENTS -Employees are admitted free to most college events. This does not include events at The Palladium at St. Petersburg College.

CREDIT UNION - All employees are eligible to join the Achieva Credit Union. An initial deposit of $50.00 and a completed membership application will open your share (savings) account and establish your membership.  You may then participate in a regular savings plan by signing up for payroll deductions. Additional services include checking accounts, summer savings, IRA accounts, etc.

DENTAL COVERAGE - The college offers dental coverage available to employees through AETNA Dental Plan. 

DIRECT DEPOSIT - Enables you to direct deposit your paycheck in up to three (3) financial institutions.  The form is available at: https://it.spcollege.edu/StaffCentral/.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAM - The College offers special recognition through service awards to its employees celebrating landmark anniversaries.  The Employee Service Award Ceremonies are held annually at individual sites.

EXEMPTION OF COURSE FEES - In order to be eligible for course fee exemptions, the employee must be full-time and working in a budgeted position at least six months prior to and at the time of commencement of classes.  The employee's spouse and eligible children age 23 or younger are also eligible for a maximum of 18 credit hours per academic year.  Part-time employees are eligible for fee exemptions for a maximum of 9 credit hours per academic year for the employee only.

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN - The amount you pay through payroll deductions for health, disability, supplemental life, dental, or vision coverage can be paid on a pre-tax basis through the College's flexible benefits plan.  The dollars you contribute for these coverage's will be deducted before federal income or social security taxes are assessed.  Changes in coverage may only be made during the annual open enrollment period, unless you have a qualifying event.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT - Sometimes referred to as a cafeteria plan, flex plan, or a Section 125 plan, a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) lets you set aside a certain amount of your paycheck into an account — before paying income taxes. During the year, participants have access to this account for reimbursement of expenses that insurance does not cover.

HEALTH COVERAGE - Group health and life coverage is effective on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.  The College funds the major cost for budgeted full-time employees and 1/2 the cost for budgeted part-time employees; the additional cost to purchase dependent coverage is paid by the employee through payroll deduction.  There is a small contribution for all employees based on their annual earnings.

INCOME PROTECTION - This optional insurance is available through payroll deduction.  Benefits are payable in addition to sick leave and medical coverage.  You may enroll in either the short duration disability program of 5 years accident/2 years sickness, or the long duration disability program to social security normal retirement age (SSNRA).

LIFE INSURANCE - The College purchases a base amount of life insurance for each employee equal to their base annualized salary, rounded up to the next higher thousand. Optional coverage may be purchased subject to approval by Aetna Life Insurance Co.

NOTARY PUBLIC - Free notary service for College employees is available at Human Resources, EpiCenter; Student Records, SPG and CL; Administration, TS and HEC; and other college areas.

PARKING - Free parking is provided to all employees.

PERSONAL LEAVE - Employees, with permission of supervisor, may take up to four days of personal leave with pay per fiscal year.  These days are deducted from the employee's accrued sick leave.

RETIREMENT PLAN - All budgeted employees are automatically enrolled in the Florida Retirement Systems Pension Plan, however you may choose to switch to the FRS Investment plan or the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), if eligible for ORP.  St. Petersburg College pays the full contribution for FRS and ORP plans.

• The FRS Pension Plan is a defined benefit plan, in which you are promised a benefit at retirement if you meet certain criteria. The amount of your future benefit is determined by a formula, based on your earnings, length of service, and membership class, and is adjusted by a 3% cost-of-living each July. Your benefit is pre-funded by contributions paid by your employer. The Florida Retirement System must ensure that sufficient funds are available when your benefits are due and bears the market risk and investment decisions. Employees will receive information at their home address from the retirement system concerning the FRS Investment Plan. 
   

• The FRS Investment Plan is a defined contribution plan.  The FRS Investment Plan is funded by employer contributions that are based on your salary and your FRS membership class (Regular Class, Special Risk Class, etc.). The Investment Plan directs contributions to individual member accounts, and you allocate your contributions and account balance among various investment funds (participant contributions are not allowed).  Employees will receive information at their home address from the retirement system concerning the FRS Investment Plan. 
   

• Eligible employees may instead elect to participate in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) in lieu of participation in the Florida Retirement System.  The ORP is a defined contribution pension plan.  Each pay period, the College will contribute a percentage of your earnings to an annuity on your behalf.

SAVINGS BONDS - Employees may purchase U.S. Savings bonds through payroll deduction.

SICK LEAVE - Accrued at a rate of one day per month of service with no limit on accrual. Upon retirement or death, a percentage of the total accumulated sick leave days may be paid at the employee's current daily rate of pay.  This lump sum payment is governed by Rule 6Hx23-2.31.  Accumulated sick leave may be transferred from another Florida public education institution or state agency.

SICK LEAVE POOL - Full-time employees are eligible to participate; the annual enrollment period is September 1 - 15 after one year of employment, provided that you have then earned at least nine days of sick leave.  The initial contribution is five days of sick leave which entitles the participant to 45 days of personal sick leave following exhaustion of sick and vacation leave.

SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE – Coverage is available through the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC). The AFLAC voluntary products provide employees cash benefits for unexpected situations such as accidents, hospitalization and other catastrophic events at group rates. Premiums are payroll deducted. For additional information call Rodney Willis at (727) 204-5396 or John Domeier (727) 821-5590.

TAX SHELTERED ANNUITIES - The retirement savings option known as a "403(b)" is available from a variety of companies. For the list of approved companies and the salary reduction form, go to Staff Central.

VACATION LEAVE (12 month employees only) - Accrued at a rate of one day per month for first five years' service, 1-1/4 days per month for 6 through 10 years service, and 1- 1/2 days per month for over ten years service in any Florida public community college. Vacation leave in excess of 44 days on December 31 shall be reduced to 44 days on January 1 each year.

VISION COVERAGE - Advantica EyeCare has two plans Select Plus 150 and Select Plus 100. The monthly premiums will be deducted from your paycheck. They have a national network of providers you may view on the above website. For Eyes Optical, Sears Optical, JC Penney Optical, Target Optical, Pearle Vision Centers, Wal-Mart, and any locations with EyeCare Centers of America, such as, Vision Works and Optical Outlets will accept your benefit. Upon enrollment you will receive an Advantica EyeCare ID Card for you and family members.