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Employee Benefits

Eligible employees, those employees on the State Bi-Weekly Payroll working at least 20 hours per week, are provided a wide range of benefits. Benefit eligibility is dependent upon your position classification and the stipulations of your collective bargaining agreement.

Upon hire, a representative from Human Resources will schedule a one-on-one benefits counseling session with each new employee. This counseling session is geared to review the benefits for which the employee is eligible, to give in-depth details about each of these benefits, and to provide an opportunity to process the appropriate paperwork to initiate those benefits that best meets the employee's needs.

Health Benefits

Insurance Type Description
Medical The State of Rhode Island offers eligible active employees three medical plans – Anchor, Anchor Plus and Anchor Choice with HSA. All plans are administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). Coverage for participating employees is effective on the first day of state employment.
Dental The State of Rhode Island offers eligible active employees three options for dental coverage—Anchor Dental, Anchor Dental Plus and Anchor Dental Platinum. All plans are administered by Delta Dental of Rhode Island. Coverage for participating employees is effective on the first day of state employment.
Vision The State of Rhode Island offers eligible active employees two options for vision coverage—Anchor Vision and Anchor Vision Plus. Both plans are administered by the Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage for participating employees is effective the first day of state employment.
Prescription Coverage The State of Rhode Island's prescription plan is administered by CVS Caremark. Prescriptions can be filled at any in-network pharmacy. Prescription Coverage is provided to all eligible employees who enroll in Medical Insurance. Coverage will be effective on the date of hire or the first day of the semester for faculty members.
Benefits Continuation (COBRA) The federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA- Public Law 99-272, Title X) gives employees and their qualified beneficiaries the opportunity to continue health insurance coverage when a "qualifying event" would normally result in the loss of coverage. Some common qualifying events are resignation, termination of employment (for other than gross misconduct), or death of an employee; a reduction in an employee's hours or a leave of absence; an employee's divorce or legal separation; and a dependent child no longer meeting eligibility requirements. Federal regulations specify that the employee is responsible for notifying the employer of a qualifying event within 60 days of such event.
Bi-Weekly Co-Shares Non-Classified Faculty and Staff
Classified Union and Non-Union Employees (26 pay periods)
Classified Union and Non-Union Employees (20 pay periods)
Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) If you or your children are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP and you’re eligible for health coverage from your employer, your state may have a premium assistance program that can help pay for coverage, using funds from their Medicaid or CHIP programs. If you or your children aren’t eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, you won’t be eligible for these premium assistance programs but you may be able to buy individual insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Healthcare Exchange Notice Even if you are offered health coverage through your employment, you may have other coverage options through the Health Insurance Marketplace (“Marketplace”). To assist you as you evaluate options for you and your family, this notice provides some basic information about the Health Insurance Marketplace and health coverage offered through your employment.

Retirement Benefits

Type Description
Retirement Benefits Summary

CPE (participants in the 403(b) alternative retirement plan)
When an employee retires, he/she is entitled to keep the present health care, dental, and vision coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Resolution Act) for 18 months. This act allows the retiree and spouse, if necessary, to pay the State's active group rate, plus a 2% administration fee, in order to maintain continuance of coverage.

ERSRI
Classified State Employees must participate in the Employee's Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI). More information can be found here.

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans
Eligible employees of the Community College of Rhode Island may choose to participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan over and above their regular retirement plan. Since this plan is tax-deferred, salary reduction contributions and earnings are taxable as income when you receive them. Most state and local taxes are also deferred until benefits are received. When you elect to participate, a portion of your salary is set aside (on a pre-tax basis) to save toward supplementing your primary retirement plan and social security.
This plan is available to all state employees who are eligible for benefits. A minimum contribution of $25.00 per pay period is required for non-classified employees or $10.00 if you are a state classified employee.
Office of Post-Secondary Commission employees (non-classified) are able to contribute to the 457(b) with TIAA.
All State employee are eligible to set up an account through FidelityVOYA, and TIAA. Each of these carriers offers a variety of investment options from which to choose. To start contributing to the State’s 457 Plan, or to change your current contributions, you must log in to your Retirement@Work account.
Council on Postsecondary Education Medical Retirement The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) has established a health care insurance coverage plan for employees participating in the CPE Alternate Retirement Plan upon their retirement.  This includes employees who are eligible to participate in a CPE Alternate Retirement Plan (ARP) retirement plan sponsored through TIAA.
Phased Retirement Program for Faculty Phased-In Retirement is defined as a period of part-time employment preceding retirement. The program includes a pro-rated salary equivalent to the appropriate percentage of full-time work, continued available group health insurance coverage, and continued pro-rated contributions to the employee's Internal Revenue Code §403b retirement plan.
Retirement Savings Plans

CPE
Non-Classified employees who are exempt from ERSRI*, who have reached the age of 30, and who have two (2) years of service are required to participate in the TIAA retirement plan as a condition of employment. Participation is permitted, on a voluntary basis, for eligible employees under the age of thirty (30).

*Non-classified employees who are members of the ERSRI at the time of employment at the Community College may elect to remain in the ERSRI if they so choose.

ERSRI
All Classified employees working 20 hours or more per week must participate in the Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island (ERSRI).

Disability and Insurance Benefits

Type Description
Legal Insurance CCRI employees may opt to purchase legal coverage. Hyatt Legal Plan uses a national network of attorneys to assist individuals with legal questions or problems including but not limited to: adoptions, defendant civil action, estate administration and estate closing, guardianship/conservatorship, juvenile court proceedings, matrimonial matters, motor vehicle license suspension, and wills/trusts.
Life Insurance Eligible employees may purchase Basic Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D), and Supplemental Life Insurance. Employees who choose to participate in one or more of these plans will have premiums automatically deducted from their paycheck each pay period. This plan also allows for the option of purchasing the first $50,000 of life insurance on a taxed or pre-tax basis.  However, if the pre-tax option is selected, tax implications may apply at the time a benefit is paid out. If employees prefer not to deduct insurance payments on a pre-tax basis, the sign-up form must so indicate; otherwise, it will automatically be processed on a pre-tax basis.
Long-Term Disability Employees participating in the College's 403(b) plan are automatically covered by the long-term disability plan of Standard Insurance Company subject to all terms and conditions of that plan; and employees participating in the Employees' Retirement System of RI (ERSRI) are automatically covered by the long-term disability plan of ERSRI subject to all terms and conditions of that plan.
Short-Term Disability AFLAC
AFLAC is an IRS approved pre-tax program. This program is designed to allow certain benefit premiums to be pre-taxed from your biweekly paycheck. If you use the pre-tax feature, you can only enroll or cancel coverage during the annual open enrollment.
ALFAC offers:
  • Personal Short-term Disability Insurance (employee must work 30 hours or moreto be eligible for this benefit) - designed to help you with a source of income if you become disabled due to a sickness or off-the-job injury.
  • Cancer Expense Protection Plan - designed to provide funds to help cover the extra expenses associated with cancer treatment. The Plan also provides an annual Cancer Screening Wellness Benefit. Call AFLAC directly for details and premium rates.
COLONIAL LIFE
Employees represented by the NEA union may elect to purchase (through payroll deductions) short term disability, accident, cancer and critical illness insurance from Colonial Life.

Education Benefits

Type Description
Tuition Waivers General fees of institutions under the jurisdiction of the Council on Postsecondary Education (i.e. CCRI, RIC, and URI) may be waived for all full-time employees. The level of eligibility for full-time employees shall be unlimited. The waiver also applies to the employee's spouse or domestic partner (as defined by RIGL §36-12-1) and legal dependents (as defined in Internal Revenue Code §§117(d), 132(h), and 152(f)(1)) who are pursuing courses in a regular study program for credit at the baccalaureate level only at any of the three institutions in accordance with each specific contract. The waiver of fees will be limited strictly to tuition. All other fees, books, supplies, travel and other expenses must be paid by the individual.
Educational Incentive Program An educational incentive program is available through the State’s Office of Training and Development for Classified employees only. The Incentive In-Service Training Program is designed to provide a pay increment for Classified employees who take and pass approved, job-related courses.

Other Benefits

Type Description
Athletics Facilities All faculty and staff at CCRI are welcome to use the College's athletic facilities at the Knight Campus and Lincoln Campus free of charge during specified hours. These campuses possess a field house with an indoor track, basketball courts, indoor tennis courts, a modern dance room, and cardiovascular fitness centers. The field house at the Lincoln Campus also contains a six-lane swimming pool and saunas. These facilities are accessible free of charge with the employee's ID card. 
College Savings Payroll Deduction Plan (CollegeBound Saver)
CollegeBound Saver, Rhode Island’s 529 savings plan, gives your family a convenient and affordable way to save for college, with special features like:
  • Tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals
  • No minimum contribution amounts
  • Flexible investment choices
  • Easy online enrollment and account management
  • Ability to save through work with payroll direct deposit
Savings can be used at colleges, universities, and trade schools worldwide – not just Rhode Island – and can cover the cost of tuition, housing, meal plans, and more.
Dependent Care Spending Accounts A Dependent Care Spending Account (DSCA) allows you to set aside a portion of earnings on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified dependent care expenses (daycare, preschool, before and after school care, and in some cases elder care) incurred during the plan year (a calendar year). The IRS sets pre-tax contribution limits for DCSAs and enforces rules related to plan administration, enrollment, and status changes. The State's DCSA program is administered by ASIFlex.  
Employee Assistance Program CCRI cares about the health and well being of its employees and recognizes that a variety of personal problems can disrupt their personal and work lives. Effective June 1, 2021, administration of the State’s EAP transitioned from Optum to Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI). The BCBSRI EAP is administered in conjunction with Beacon Health Options (Beacon), using their “Beacon Wellbeing” platform.
Flexible Spending Account Employees may elect to make pre-tax contributions through payroll deduction to cover defined eligible medical and/or dependent care expenses. As they incur eligible medical expense claims during the year, the program reimburses them up to the annual amount they choose to withhold. The State allows you to put aside up to $2,750 per calendar year on a pre-tax basis. In a separate Dependent Care Account, money may be deducted through payroll deduction for dependent or elder care up to $5,000 per calendar year (or $2,500 if you're married and filing taxes separately). Employees pay no taxes on the money they get back from the FSA, which can be a significant saving.
Holidays The following constitutes CCRI's official holidays. Employees should refer to the appropriate collective bargaining agreement for further explanation regarding eligibility, etc.
Library Privileges The libraries contain more than 100,000 books, 2,000 videos and subscriptions to more than 600 periodicals. Computers provide access to the online library catalog, periodical indexes and full-text databases, and the Internet. Libraries on the Warwick, Lincoln, and Providence campuses have electronic classrooms with networked computers to be used in library instruction. Librarians provide individual reference assistance, as well as instruction to classes. They also schedule instruction sessions in library skills and the use of research materials at the request of instructors.
Parking Parking is free and each campus has a designated staff/faculty lot. If you need to replace or request a new decal, please contact Campus Police.
Rewards for Wellness Incentive Program The State of Rhode Island offers a variety of programs, resources, and tools to help you lead a healthy and full life. Visit the site to explore the options.
US Savings Bonds Payroll Savings Plan Employees have the opportunity to invest in savings bonds and other Treasury securities through TreasuryDirect.TreasuryDirect is a web-based system which allows employees to purchase, manage and redeem electronic (paperless) savings bonds, as well as purchase Treasury marketable securities (bills, notes, bonds and TIPS). Employees who would like to sign up for the TreasuryDirect Program need to open a TreasuryDirect account.
Workers' Compensation Insurance In accordance with state law, the State of Rhode Island provides a comprehensive workers' compensation insurance program. This program covers any injury or illness sustained in the course of employment that requires medical, surgical, or hospital treatment. Subject to applicable legal requirements, workers' compensation insurance provides benefits after a short waiting period.