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Are you an Arkansas state employee or considering a career in the public sector? You might be wondering what benefits and perks come with the job. In this blog post, we’ll explore the comprehensive “employee benefit packages Arkansas” offered, including health, dental, and vision insurance, leave and financial benefits, retirement programs, and more. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!
Arkansas state employees enjoy a wide range of benefits managed by the employee benefits division. These comprehensive employee benefits include:
These benefits are designed to support the well-being of members of the state workforce and help them maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Employee benefits include health insurance, retirement plans, pay, paid time off, and other financial and lifestyle
One of the key components of the employee benefits package offered in Arkansas is the Health Advantage Plans. These plans offer low in-network deductibles and free wellness benefits, which contribute to making the access to healthcare more accessible and affordable for state employees.
However, anticipate higher out-of-network costs with these plans. The Premium Plan, for example, offers the lowest deductible for in-network services but the plan comes with a higher cost share for out-of-network coverage.
Arkansas state employees can supplement their healthcare needs with dental and vision insurance options, alongside their health coverage. Delta Dental and Humana Vision are accessible through Arkansas State Employee Benefits Advisors (ARSEBA).
Employees can expect their contributions under the basic plan to cover routine check-ups, preventive care, and emergency services, while contributions under the classic plan contributes to comprehensive dental and vision care.
Arkansas state employees are entitled to a range of leave benefits, including:
These leave benefits allow eligible employees to take time off for various personal reasons, ensuring they can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Leave benefits can be utilized by employees for medical appointments, family emergencies,
Leave accrual rates in Arkansas vary based on years of service and employee classification. Employees who work a minimum of 1,500 hours per year in a regular salary position accrue annual leave every month, with the accrual rate increasing as they complete full years of employment and pay more.
Sick leave pay also accumulates at a rate of pay of one day of pay per completed month of service.
Paid maternity leave is a valuable benefit for eligible Arkansas state employees. Female employees can take up to four weeks of paid leave after the birth of their child or placement of an adoptive child.
Recent legislation grants state employees twelve weeks of paid maternity leave following childbirth or infant adoption.
Financial benefits, such as Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), help employees manage their healthcare expenses more effectively, offering tax advantages and flexibility in covering eligible medical costs.
With HSAs and FSAs, employees and retirees can save pre-tax dollars for medical expenses,
HSAs offer tax advantages and can be used for qualified medical expenses, including:
Contributions to an HSA are deductible from taxable income, reducing the overall amount of taxes due.
For the 2023 tax year, the maximum contribution an employee can make to an HSA in Arkansas is $3,850 for single coverage and $7,750 for family coverage.
FSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible healthcare costs, such as medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision expenses.
Utilizing FSAs allows employees to trim their taxable income while saving on out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.
Retirement programs, such as the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS), provide long-term financial security for Arkansas state employees and retirees. These programs offer retirement, disability, and death benefits to eligible individuals, ensuring that employees, retirees, beneficiaries and members of their families are protected in the long run.
As a defined benefit plan, APERS predetermines the benefits an employee will receive
APERS eligibility and enrollment are based on years of service and employee classification. To be eligible for APERS, employees must complete five years of service.
Enrollment entails submitting the Employer Eligibility Request form and securing an APERS ID for registration via the Member’s Self-Service Portal.
Retirement, disability, and death benefits are available through APERS for eligible employees, retirees and beneficiaries. At retirement, APERS members and beneficiaries can select from five distinct benefit plan options, each with its own specific features and structure for retirement benefits.
Disability benefits are also available for individuals deemed eligible for federal Social Security disability benefits due to a total and permanent disability.
ARBenefits offers an online portal and website for employees to apply, enroll in benefits and make changes to their coverage. This convenient platform allows employees to easily access and manage their benefits and make adjustments as needed.
This user-friendly portal provides access to employees, equipping them to make quick, effortless changes.
The enrollment process for Arkansas state employees and retirees requires signing up within 60 days of hire or during the Open Enrollment period. Employees can enroll in ARBenefits coverage by logging into their ARBenefits Member Portal website and submitting the necessary paperwork to apply for enroll them.
Changes to coverage can be made within 60 days of a qualifying event, such as marriage, birth, adoption, or loss or acquisition of coverage.
By choosing the “Change Coverage” option and following the given instructions in their ARBenefits Member Portal, eligible employees can implement these basic plan changes.
In addition to the core benefits package, Arkansas state employees have the option to enroll in voluntary insurance options such as life insurance and AD&D, dental, and vision plans.
These supplementary coverage options offer added financial security and peace of mind.
Life insurance and AD&D policies offer financial protection for employees and their families in the event of an unforeseen tragedy. The Arkansas state employee life insurance coverage is equivalent to 1.5 times their annual salary, with a maximum benefit of $50,000.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) policies differ per employer; therefore, it’s advisable to consult or visit your employer website for their specific AD&D policy details.
To maintain overall health and well-being, dental and vision plans cover routine care and other services. Delta Dental and Humana Vision are available to Arkansas state employees, offering a wide range of providers and comprehensive coverage for preventive, minor, and major restorative dental services.
Vision plans, including basic plans, typically provide coverage for annual exams, single vision, bifocal or trifocal lenses, and in-network providers.
In conclusion, Arkansas state employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance, leave benefits, financial benefits such as HSAs and FSAs, and retirement programs. These benefits not only ensure the well-being of state employees but also provide long-term financial security for them and their families. By understanding and taking advantage of these benefits, Arkansas state employees can enjoy a balanced and rewarding career in the public sector.
Employee benefits packages typically include medical insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, retirement planning, COBRA, FMLA, disability, workers comp, additional leave, stock options, training opportunities, and more. They are essential for attracting and retaining talent, enhancing job satisfaction, and fostering a positive work environment.
Arkansas State offers a generous leave program including annual, sick, holiday and other pay and additional leave benefits such as paid maternity leave, children’s educational activities leave, organ donor and disaster volunteer service leave.
On average, employee benefits plan division contributions and packages account for around 30% of an employee’s salary. This means for a $65,000 salary, the estimated employee benefits plan division and package is worth $27,855, bringing the total compensation to $92,855 or more.
Common employee benefits typically include health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan benefits, flexible work schedule, disability insurance, dental and vision care, life insurance, family leave, PTO/paid holidays, remote work or flexible schedules, and retirement planning.
The Health Advantage Plan is a premium plan offered as a premium plan for an Arkansas state employee health insurance plan offering access to low in-network deductibles, free wellness benefits, and higher out-of-network costs.
Todd Taylor oversees most of the marketing and client administration for the agency with help of an incredible team. Todd is a seasoned benefits insurance broker with over 35 years of industry experience. As the Founder and CEO of Taylor Benefits Insurance Agency, Inc., he provides strategic consultations and high-quality support to ensure his clients’ competitive position in the market.
Todd Taylor with Taylor Benefits gives our small business the kind of personal service we need. Insurance benefits are important to our employees and Todd helps us find a balance between benefits and value. Todd responds immediately to my phone calls & e-mails. He has even gotten in touch with me on a Sunday when we were in need of coverage answers immediately. We are very pleased with the hands-on service Todd and his staff provide.”
-Ken and Linda Orvick, Orvick Management Group, Inc.
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