TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES (403b): The College will make payroll deductions for tax-deferred annuities of participating companies. (MetLife, AIG-VALIC, TIAA-CREF.) The employee or the participating company pays an administrative fee.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN (457): The College will make payroll deductions for the Commonwealth of Virginia Deferred Compensation Plan. This plan is a defined contribution pension plan where the participant assumes the investment risk. The minimum an employee may contribute is $10 per pay. There is also no loan provision in this plan and hardship withdrawals are more restrictive than 403(b) plans.

CASH MATCH PLAN: Employees who make a contribution to a 403(b) tax deferred annuity or 457 deferred compensation plan are eligible to participate in the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Cash Match Plan. Employees must have an account with a company 1) participating with the Commonwealths third party administrator and 2) participating in the cash match program. Employees will receive each pay period, the lesser amount of $20 or 50% of the employee's contribution amount.

WORKERS COMPENSATION: Under the Workers Compensation Act, medical bills and compensation for loss of pay are paid if injuries were received on the job or while on official College business. Accidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor to ensure coverage.

TUITION ASSISTANCE: The College provides tuition assistance to qualified employees who apply for it. Tuition assistance is available for both credit and non-credit (CEU) NOVA courses. Tuition assistance is neither a guaranteed benefit nor an entitlement of employment at NOVA and is limited by the availability of funds. Priority will be given to education or training directly related to job performances.

FLEXIBLE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS: A Dependent Care (eligible first day of first full month of employment) and/or Medical Account (eligible after six months of employment) may be established with pre-tax dollars.

HEALTH CARE PLAN: Group health insurance is available through the Commonwealth of Virginia. In Northern Virginia employees can choose coverage either from the Commonwealth‘s Self-Insured (COVA Care) or from a HMO (Kaiser Permanente). Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield provide medical benefits for the self-insured plan. Other benefits - prescriptions drugs are provided through Medco/dental benefits through Delta Dental/ mental health through Value Options. Kaiser Centers are located in the Washington, D.C. metro area and provide health care and auxiliary coverage for prescription drugs, dental benefits and mental health.

The selected plan is effective the first day of the month after Human Resources receives the enrollment form.
(Example: Employee hired August 10, HR receives form on August 20, coverage effective September 1. Employee hired August 10; HR receives form on September 3, coverage effective October 1.) Additional information will be available during the employee orientation program.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): Counseling and referral for problems such as alcohol or substance abuse, marital or family difficulties, financial problems, and mental and medical disorders are available. These services are provided by ValueOptions, Inc. Additional information is available by phoning 866.725.0602 or visiting the website at http://www.achievesolutions.net/covacare. For employees who have chosen Kaiser as their health benefit plan have EAP with Kaiser go to www.kaiserpermanente.org

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE: The College provides group term life insurance coverage at no cost for full-time employees. The amount of coverage is twice the employee's annual salary rounded to the nearest $1,000 for natural death and four times the rounded annual salary for accidental death. This insurance is provided without a medical examination. Employees may purchase additional life insurance for themselves, spouses and children at group rates.

VOLUNTARY LIFE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT
INSURANCE: Active employees eligible for group life insurance may participate in the Optional Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan. Insurance may be purchased for employee, spouse and children. Premiums are based on low group rates and are paid through payroll deduction. Enrollment forms completed during open enrollment or within 31 days of hire date assure the participant will receive a minimum level of coverage without evidence of good health.

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE: The Commonwealth of Virginia offers long-term care insurance to eligible state employees with coverage available for their spouses, parents, parents-in-law, and state retirees and their spouses (if purchased before retirement date). Aetna U.S. Healthcare administers the long-term care coverage. Long-term care refers to a wide range of personal care, health care and social services for people of all ages who can no longer care for themselves. Employees enrolled in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP) receive a $75 daily benefit at no cost. Additional coverage for employees or eligible dependents may be purchased. These benefit options range from a $50 to $200 daily benefit. For more information, contact Aetna at 877.894.2470 or visit their website.

VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (VRS): Full contribution is paid by the state. Five years of covered service is required to be eligible for a regular pension. Funds paid into the employee retirement account may be withdrawn after separation from state service. Should the employee become re-employed by a state agency or institution, service credit may be repurchased please visit the VRS website. Retirement benefits are determined by years of service and the average of the highest 36 consecutive months salary. At retirement, several annuity options are available, plus there are annual cost-of-living increases during retirement. The earliest an employee can retire is age 50 with at least 10 years of service credit. Full annuity benefits are available upon attaining 30 years of service and age 50 or older, or upon attaining age 65 with 5 years of covered service.

ANNUAL LEAVE: New employees earn twelve days of annual leave, accumulated on a semi-monthly basis at a rate of 4 hours per pay period each calendar year. Leave must be earned before it is used and is not earned during any pay period in which pay is docked. At termination, you will be paid for any unused annual leave up to the maximum allowed. The accrual rate increases incrementally by years of service with fixed rates for carry over into a new leave year or for payment at the time of leaving employment.

VIRGINIA SICKNESS AND DISABILITY PROGRAM (VSDP): If you suffer a disabling illness or injury, you may be eligible for short and long term disability coverage. After a seven calendar day waiting period, if
medically certified and approved through UNUM., you may be eligible for income replacement of 60 - 100 percent for up to 180 calendar days. If your disability continues beyond 180 calendar days, you may be eligible for long-term disability coverage at a 60 percent income replacement level. A VSDP disabling illness is defined as a period of absence verified by medical information that prohibits the employee from full time work or limitations in the essential functions of the work place.

VSDP FAMILY AND PERSONAL LEAVE: New employees earn four days (32 hours) of family and personal leave each year if hired between January 10 and July 9. New employees hired between July 10 and January 9 will be credited with two days (16 hours) of family and personal leave for the remainder of the year. Family and personal leave is credited each January 10 thereafter. Family and personal leave must be pre-approved by your supervisor and may be used for personal illness, family illness, bereavement or personal business. This leave does not carry forward into the next year nor is a payoff made for any unused leave upon termination. Prorated for 50% employees.

VSDP SICK LEAVE: New employees earn eight days (64 hours) of sick leave each year if hired between January 10 and July 9. New employees hired between July 10 and January 9 will be credited with five days (40 hours) of sick leave for the remainder of the year. Sick leave is credited each January 10 thereafter. You may use credited sick leave for absences due to illness or injury, or for appointments with a physician. This leave does not carry forward into the next year nor is a payoff made for any unused leave upon termination. This VSDP leave may not be used for family illness unless the leave requested qualifies as Family Medical Leave Absence.

For more information, call the Department of Human Resources at 703.323.3110.