Benefits

This summary is meant to provide a general overview of the benefits offered to employees of Houghton College at this particular point in time. If this summary conflicts in any way with the actual Plan Documents, the Plan Documents shall govern. At the time of issuing this Summary, the college intends to continue the benefits described. However, the college expressly reserves the right to modify, amend, delete or otherwise change these benefits at any time. Should you have any questions regarding benefits, please contact the Human Resources Office at (585) 567-9321. Detailed descriptions of each benefit can be found on the following pages.

Medical Insurance:

Full time employees may select from one of two insurance policies offered by BCBS.  Please click on the link above for more information.

Employees who can show evidence of alternative health coverage, such as a plan through a spouse's place of employment, may be eligible for a cash payment of $1,780 dollars.  Please contact Human Resources for more information.

The link below has some FAQs in regard to hospital, facility and home services. It answers questions such as "what if I have an emergency?" or "what do I do if I need urgent or emergency care when I am traveling outside of the country?"

BCBS FAQs

Flexible Spending Account:

Eligible employees who work more than 20 hours per week may participate with the Flexible Spending Account on their date of employment. This plan allows an employee to redirect a portion of their pay to a "benefit bank." The contributions to the "benefit bank" are non-taxable and can be used to reimburse the employee for qualifying expenses. Qualifying expenses include medical expenses not reimbursed by the insurance, dental expenses, vision care expenses and eligible day care expenses. Funds distributed to these accounts are exempt from FICA, Federal and New York State taxes. It is very important for you to plan carefully when deciding to what extent you will participate in this Plan as IRS regulations require that any balance left in your "benefit bank" at the end of the plan year will be forfeited.

Retirement Plan through TIAA-CREF:

The purpose of the college's retirement plan is to enable qualifying employees to maintain their standard of living following retirement by providing income over and above the income that may be provided by Social Security and personal savings. The college offers a plan through Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) and the College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF). Eligible employees may begin participation in the Plan on the first month after finishing a 12-month period of employment at Houghton or any other institution of higher education.

Each participant must contribute 3% of their base compensation through payroll deduction (after tax) or reduction (before tax). This employee contribution will be matched by an 8% contribution by the college. A participant may elect to contribute more than 3%, but the college contribution will remain at 8%.

An employee who works more than 20 hours per week, and has not yet completed 12 months of service is eligible to open a Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA.)  The college does not make any contributions to an SRA.  For more information please contact Human Resources. 

Group Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance:

Term Life and AD&D insurance is fully paid by Houghton College for all full-time employees. The amount of insurance is 200% of your annual rate of basic earnings, rounded to the nearest $1,000.

Long Term Disability:

A long term disability plan is offered at no cost to employees. Eligible employees begin receiving benefits after six months of total disability. If you are enrolled in the TIAA/CREF 403B retirement plan, the Long Term Disability policy will make both the employee contribution and the college's contribution to your retirement account.

Employee Tuition Assistance Grant:

The college provides employee and dependent tuition assistance grants (ETAG) as a fringe benefit for certain employees. Employees are eligible for tuition remission benefits following a two-year waiting period. The amount of assistance provided depends, in part on (1) whether the student is an employee or the dependent of an employee, (2) the employee's tenure with the college and status as full or part time, (3) the full or part time academic status of the student requesting assistance. An individual is considered a "dependent" of an employee if the individual is claimed as a dependent on the employee's tax return.

Liberty Mutual:

The college recently began offering employees home and auto insurance from Liberty Mutual at group rates.

David R. Johnson & Associates:

David R. Johnson & Associates, the college's insurance broker, is willing to talk to faculty and staff members regarding insurance needs.

Campus Store Discounts:

A 10% discount (excluding textbooks) will be granted to full time employees of Houghton College and their spouses.

Use of Gymnasium & Campus Center:

Faculty and staff (and families) may use the Nielsen Center gymnasium and campus center facilities according to college regulations.

Willard J. Houghton Library:

Houghton College employees and their families may use the library facilities. In additions to books, magazines and journals, movies are available for check out.

College Health Center:

While the primary focus of the college health center is students, faculty and staff are welcome to use the health center for the following services:  blood pressure check, weight check, blood glucose test and emergency services (while on the job). Please contact the health center for more details.

Artist Series:

Interested in free artist series tickets? Contact Connie Vanslyke in the Greatbach School of Music at extension 4000.

Sports Camps:

HC faculty and staff receive discounts to most Houghton College sports camps. Information will be provided by the specific camps.

Adirondack Park Campus:

Houghton College faculty and staff can rent cabins at the college's Star Lake campus in the beautiful Adirondack State Park.

Cafeteria Meals:

Houghton College employees can enjoy the benefit of eating at the college cafeteria located on the second floor of the Campus Center.  Please note: pricing for employees can apply for immediate family only (spouse and children when accompanied by the Faculty/Staff person.)  Please see the rates below:

Guest                      Employee     

Breakfast:     $4.50                      $2.50

Lunch:          $5.75                      $3.25

Soup/Salad*  N/A                        $2.00

Dinner:         $7.00                      $3.75           

          *Soup and Salad Bar is available Mon. - Fri. at lunch only

Are you curious to find out what's for lunch or dinner today??  Click here!!

Click on the following link to view additional information regarding Dining Services including details about Big Al's and Flex Accounts (Big Al's bucks.) 

Links:

FY '07 Medical Insurance Info

Flexible Spending Account

TIAA-CREF

Life Insurance/Long Term Disability

ETAG

Insurance Continuation/COBRA