Benefits Available to State of Wisconsin Employees

The fringe benefits offered to State of Wisconsin employees are significant, and are a valuable part of an individual's compensation package. The fringe benefits may vary somewhat between employee groups based on occupational status (i.e., protective, executive, general), whether or not the employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and percentage of full-time employment. The benefits available are:

Retirement: Employees are covered immediately under the Wisconsin Retirement System. Vested employee-required contributions, approximately 5% of an employee's earnings, are made by the State on behalf of the employee. The State pays another 5-10%, depending upon the employee's occupational status, toward the non-vested employer-required contribution.

Vacation: Vacation is earned from the first day of employment, but cannot be used until the employee has worked for six months. Depending on the employee's number of years of state service and their bargaining unit, employees earn between 80 and 216 hours of vacation per year. Vacation hours are prorated for employees working less than full time.

Personal Holidays: Employees are granted 36 hours (4 1/2 days) of personal holiday each year.

Legal Holidays: Employees have 9 legal holidays per year:

January 1 (New Years Day)

Third Monday of January (Martin Luther King Day)

Last Monday of May (Memorial Day)

July 4 (Independence Day)

First Monday of September (Labor Day)

Fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving Day)

December 24 (Christmas Eve)

December 25 (Christmas Day)

December 31 (New Years Eve)

Sick Leave: Sick leave is earned at the rate of 5 hours per bi-weekly pay period for full-time employees. Unused sick leave accumulates from year to year. Upon retirement, the State matches a certain amount of the unused sick leave, and the entire balance is converted at the employee's highest rate of pay prior to retirement to pay health insurance premiums.

Health Insurance: A variety of Health Maintenance Organizations, Preferred Provider Plans, and fee-for-service health providers offer coverage. Employees may obtain coverage the first of the month following the date they start work, but the State contribution toward the premium for permanent and project employees is not effective until after 2 months of State employment under the Wisconsin Retirement System. A separate drug plan covers all employees who elect to purchase health insurance.

Life Insurance: After 6 months of coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System, an employee may have group term life insurance coverage in an amount up to 5 times his or her annual salary. The State contributes approximately 30% of the premium toward 2 of the 5 levels of coverage; however, the premiums for the remaining 3 levels of coverage are paid totally by the employee. Employees may also secure coverage for their spouse (up to $20,000) and dependents (up to $10,000 each).

Income Continuation Insurance: After 6 months of coverage in the Wisconsin Retirement System, employees are eligible for income continuation insurance. This benefit ensures that individuals will receive up to 75% of their gross salary for physical or mental disabilities. State contribution, which can range from 0% to 100%, is contingent upon an employee's accrual and use of sick leave.

Catastrophic Insurance: Major medical, accidental death and dismemberment, and dental coverage are features of this insurance. Employees are responsible for the entire premium.

Dental Insurance: Some dental coverage is included in many of the group health insurance plans and the catastrophic insurance plan. Many unions offer separate dental coverage to their membership.

Vision Insurance: Some vision coverage is included in many of the group health insurance plans. Employees may purchase additional coverage and are responsible for the entire premium.

Long-Term Care Insurance: This insurance covers short-term and long-term home health care, assisted living, community-based care, and nursing home care. The plan is available only to State employees and annuitants, including their spouse, parents, and spouse's parents. Employees pay the full premium.

Employee Reimbursement Account Program: The Employee Reimbursement Accounts Program allows employees to pay eligible medical and dependent care expenses from pre-tax rather than post-tax income. In addition, premiums for State group health, catastrophic, and life insurance (excluding spouse and dependent life insurance coverage) may be treated as pre-tax deductions.

Deferred Compensation: The Deferred Compensation Program allows employees to invest pre-tax earnings up to 25% of adjusted gross income or $8,000, whichever is less, in any of the investment options offered by the program.

Workers Compensation: All employees are covered by the State of Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Law the day they start employment. The law covers both mental and physical harm from either accidents or occupational diseases.

For questions about this information, contact Katherine J. Knudson (608) 267-9200

Last updated on 1/5/2009 8:26:37 AM