Benefits & Retirement Information

Welcome to the College of Southern Nevada.  The following information is a summary of the benefits you are entitled to as an employee. In the event of any difference between the terms of this summary document and the plan or governance documents, the terms of the plan or governance documents will prevail.

Coverage begins on the first day of the first full month of employment. Enrollment must take place within 15 days of the start date.

Employee coverage includes:

• $25,000 Term Life Insurance
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel policies

Dependent coverage includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel insurance

The College of Southern Nevada offers the following three options:

• Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP PPO)
• Low Deductible Plan (LD PPO)
• Health Plan of Nevada (HMO)

Please click on this link for a comparison guide: Plan Year 2024 Medical Plan Comparison

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)

Health Savings Accounts:

Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt medical savings account for employees enrolled in a PPO plan. Contributions may be started and changed anytime, subject to IRS calendar maximum.

• HSA is available for active employees who are covered under the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP-PPO)
• Employees must have no other coverage (Medicare, TRICARE, Tribal, HMO, COBRA, Etc.) unless the coverage is also an IRS qualified high deductible health plan.
• You or your spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Flexible Spending Account (such as ASI Flex) or HRA, but may be enrolled in a Limited Purpose or Dependent Care FSA
• You cannot be claimed on someone else’s tax returns (excludes joint returns).
• Employees may voluntarily contribute to their HSA through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Funds carry over from one year to the next (no “use-it-or-lose-it” provision)
• HSAs are employee owned.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement:

If an employee does not meet the eligibility criteria for an HSA or is enrolled in one of the other two plans, they may be eligible for an HRA.

• Receive tax-free contributions from PEBP.
• HRA funds may be used to pay for out-of-pocket qualified health expenses.
• HRAs are not portable; funds revert to NSHE (PEBP) if an employee’s coverage is terminated for any reason, including a transition into a Medicare Exchange Plan.
• HRA funds may carry over from year to year based on PEBP’s determination.

One-Time HSA/HRA Employer Contribution* For State Active Employees PY 2023-2024

* One-time supplemental HAS/HRA contributions apply to State Active Employees enrolled in the CDHP, LD, and HMO plans on July 1, 2023. Prorated supplemental contributions apply after July 1, 2023.

Classified employees who have been hired into a permanent position are required to participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada.

PERS Option 1: Employer Pay Contribution Plan (EPC)

• The employer pays the full retirement contribution based on the adjusted gross salary.
• This results in a higher paycheck because the contribution is pre-taxed.
• Contributions are not deposited to your individual member account and are not available for refund upon termination of employment.
• Should employees choose the EPC plan, employees will not be able to switch back to the EEC plan.
• This plan vests at the 5-year from start date mark.
• Speak to your CSN Benefits representative should you want to change your PERS choice to the EPC plan.

PERS Option 2: Employee/Employer Paid Contribution Plan (EEC)

• All new employees are automatically enrolled into the EEC plan.
• You and CSN share equally in the contribution to PERS. Contributions are 17.5% of salary, and the college will match contribution at 100%.
• Your after-tax contribution is refundable upon termination of employment if you do not elect to receive a monthly retirement benefit.
• This contribution plan results in a lower paycheck, as the contributions are deducted after taxes are calculated.
• This plan vests at the 5-year from start date mark.

Once you have attained 5 years of service, you are “vested” in PERS and eligible to receive retirement benefits. After you are vested in PERS, the monthly benefit you receive from PERS will be based on three factors:

1. Service Credit – years, months, and days on which contributions were paid.
2. Average compensation – average of highest 36 months of employment.
3. Selection of retirement option and age of member and beneficiary at the time of retirement.

Additional information regarding PERS is available at https://www.nvpers.org/front or by phone at: 702.486.3900.

• Annual Leave: Full-time Classified employees earn 10 hours of annual leave for each month of continuous full-time service, available after 6 months of employment.
• Sick Leave: Full-time Classified employees earn 10 hours of sick leave per month, available as time is accrued.

Holidays

The State of Nevada and College of Southern Nevada offer 12 paid holidays. The following dates are paid holidays for all State of Nevada full-time employees:

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Day
• Third Monday in February: Washington’s Birthday
• Last Monday in May: Memorial Day
• June 19: Juneteenth
• July 4: Independence Day
• First Monday in September: Labor Day
• Last Friday in October: Nevada Day
• November 11: Veteran’s Day
• Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November: Family Day
• December 25: Christmas Day

If January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls upon a:

• Sunday, the Monday following must be observed as a legal holiday.
• Saturday, the Friday preceding, must be observed as a legal holiday.

See NRS 236.015.

Classified employees who are 50% FTE or greater are eligible for education assistance through the CSN grant-in-aid program.

If an employee enrolls in undergraduate or graduate courses at any of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions, CSN will pay a portion of employee’s tuition.

Classified staff may receive a maximum of 18 credits during the fiscal year. Please see below for the maximum credit hours classified employees may take under the program.

Book Voucher:

The college will pay for book voucher(s) up to:

• $75.00 per course (up to 6 credits) for all CSN courses taken through the Classified Training Program.
• $75.00 per course, for upper-level classes taken at UNLV/NSU  (i.e., 300 and 400 level courses) through the Classified Training Program.
• The book voucher amount the college will pay is not to exceed $150.00.

Detailed information and restrictions can be found on the second page of the Book Voucher Application.

Book Voucher Application for Classified Employees

The employee authorizes the release of final grades to the CSN Human Resources office.

Grant-in-Aid benefits will be reversed if:

• A grade lower than a C is received for undergraduate courses.
• A grade lower than a B is received for graduate courses.
• If approved course is dropped.
• If the approved course is audited.
• If the final grade is ‘Incomplete’.
• If an employee terminates before the end of the semester.

Human Resources will coordinate with CSN’s Cashier Office and employee in order to plan repayment should any of the above occur.

To apply for GIA, please use Workday. Grant-in-Aid Workday – Job Aid

For any questions regarding GIA or dependent use of GIA please contact gia@csn.edu.

Welcome to the College of Southern Nevada.  The following information is a summary of the benefits you are entitled to as an employee. In the event of any difference between the terms of this summary document and the plan or governance documents, the terms of the plan or governance documents will prevail.

Employee coverage includes:

• $25,000 Term Life Insurance
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel policies

Dependent coverage includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel insurance

The College of Southern Nevada offers the following three options:

• Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP PPO)
• Low Deductible Plan (LD PPO)
• Health Plan of Nevada (HMO)

Please click on this link for a comparison guide: Plan Year 2024 Medical Plan Comparison

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)

Health Savings Accounts:

Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt medical savings account for employees enrolled in a PPO plan. Contributions may be started and changed anytime, subject to IRS calendar maximum.

• HSA is available for active employees who are covered under the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP-PPO)
• Employees must have no other coverage (Medicare, TRICARE, Tribal, HMO, COBRA, Etc.) unless the coverage is also an IRS qualified high deductible health plan.
• You or your spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Flexible Spending Account (such as ASI Flex) or HRA, but may be enrolled in a Limited Purpose or Dependent Care FSA
• You cannot be claimed on someone else’s tax returns (excludes joint returns).
• Employees may voluntarily contribute to their HSA through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Funds carry over from one year to the next (no “use-it-or-lose-it” provision)
• HSAs are employee owned.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement:

If an employee does not meet the eligibility criteria for an HSA or is enrolled in one of the other two plans, they may be eligible for an HRA.

• Receive tax-free contributions from PEBP.
• HRA funds may be used to pay for out-of-pocket qualified health expenses.
• HRAs are not portable; funds revert to NSHE (PEBP) if an employee’s coverage is terminated for any reason, including a transition into a Medicare Exchange Plan.
• HRA funds may carry over from year to year based on PEBP’s determination.

One-Time HSA/HRA Employer Contribution* For State Active Employees PY 2023-2024

* One-time supplemental HAS/HRA contributions apply to State Active Employees enrolled in the CDHP, LD, and HMO plans on July 1, 2023. Prorated supplemental contributions apply after July 1, 2023.

If you have previously participated in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada, please inform your CSN Benefits representative.

Faculty who are State of Nevada PERS (Public  Employees’ Retirement System) participants must continue to participate in PERS. Additional information regarding PERS is available at www.nvpers.org/ or by telephone at (775) 687-4200.

Administrative and academic faculty who are hired on an “A” or “B” contract of at least 50% are provided with a defined contribution 401(a) retirement plan commencing on their date of hire.

Under the terms of the Retirement Plan Alternatives Plan, employees must contribute 17.5% of their gross salary to the Plan. The employer also makes a matching 17.5% contribution. Both the employee and the employer contributions are invested into a 401(a) account. The retirement plan fund sponsor is TIAA and the employee may choose the funding vehicles for investment of their retirement contributions.

The plan provides for immediate vesting. The employer portion that the College contributes to does not allow cash distribution upon termination of employment before reaching age 55, while the employee contributions will be 100% cashable upon termination of employment (subject to IRS withdrawal limitations). If you terminate within the first five years of employment, both account balances may be withdrawn.

For more information about the TIAA Retirement Plan Alternative, please visit: TIAA – NSHE Retirement Plan.

Annual Leave:

• Faculty on a full-time “A” contract will receive two days per full month to a maximum accrual of 48 days at the end of the fiscal year.

Sick Leave:

• Faculty on a full-time “A” or “B” contract starts his or her first year with 30 days (240 hours). After the first year, two days per full month are accrued to a maximum of 96 days.

Holidays

The State of Nevada and College of Southern Nevada offer 12 paid holidays. The following dates are paid holidays for all State of Nevada full-time employees:

• January 1: New Year’s Day
• Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Day
• Third Monday in February: Washington’s Birthday
• Last Monday in May: Memorial Day
• June 19: Juneteenth
• July 4: Independence Day
• First Monday in September: Labor Day
• Last Friday in October: Nevada Day
• November 11: Veteran’s Day
• Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November: Family Day
• December 25: Christmas Day

If January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls upon a:

• Sunday, the Monday following must be observed as a legal holiday.
• Saturday, the Friday preceding, must be observed as a legal holiday.

See NRS 236.015.

Administrative and Academic faculty who are 50% FTE or greater are eligible for education assistance through the CSN grant-in-aid program.

If an employee enrolls in undergraduate or graduate courses at any of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions, CSN will pay a portion of employee’s tuition.

Faculty are eligible to take up to take:

Eligibility:

• Administrative and academic faculty must be at least 50% FTE.
• Retired and professional staff members who are age 55 or over at the time of retirement and have at least 20 years of NSHE service.
• Emeriti are eligible for 6 credits per semester.

To apply for GIA, please use Workday. Grant-in-Aid Workday – Job Aid

For any questions regarding GIA or dependent use of GIA please contact gia@csn.edu.

To be benefit eligible part-time employees must either attain an FTE of 50% continuously through a semester or work 80+ hours in one month.

The below benefits are contingent on enrollment of benefits through PEBP. If an employee elects to decline, all benefits are forfeited.

Coverage begins on the first day of the first full month of employment. Enrollment must take place within 15 days of the start date.

Employee coverage includes:

• $25,000 Term Life Insurance
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel policies

Dependent coverage includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision (limited) – Depending on Health Plan choice
• Travel insurance

The College of Southern Nevada offers the following three options:

• Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP PPO)
• Low Deductible Plan (LD PPO)
• Health Plan of Nevada (HMO)

Please click on this link for a comparison guide: Plan Year 2024 Medical Plan Comparison

Health Savings Account (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRA)

Health Savings Accounts:

Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt medical savings account for employees enrolled in a PPO plan. Contributions may be started and changed anytime, subject to IRS calendar maximum.

• HSA is available for active employees who are covered under the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP-PPO)
• Employees must have no other coverage (Medicare, TRICARE, Tribal, HMO, COBRA, Etc.) unless the coverage is also an IRS qualified high deductible health plan.
• You or your spouse cannot be enrolled in a Medical Flexible Spending Account (such as ASI Flex) or HRA, but may be enrolled in a Limited Purpose or Dependent Care FSA
• You cannot be claimed on someone else’s tax returns (excludes joint returns).
• Employees may voluntarily contribute to their HSA through pre-tax payroll deductions.
• Funds carry over from one year to the next (no “use-it-or-lose-it” provision)
• HSAs are employee owned.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement:

If an employee does not meet the eligibility criteria for an HSA or is enrolled in one of the other two plans, they may be eligible for an HRA.

• Receive tax-free contributions from PEBP.
• HRA funds may be used to pay for out-of-pocket qualified health expenses.
• HRAs are not portable; funds revert to NSHE (PEBP) if an employee’s coverage is terminated for any reason, including a transition into a Medicare Exchange Plan.
• HRA funds may carry over from year to year based on PEBP’s determination.

One-Time HSA/HRA Employer Contribution* For State Active Employees PY 2023-2024

* One-time supplemental HAS/HRA contributions apply to State Active Employees enrolled in the CDHP, LD, and HMO plans on July 1, 2023. Prorated supplemental contributions apply after July 1, 2023.

Letter of Appointment employees are provided with a mandatory defined contribution FICA Alternative 457 plan starting on their date of hire.

Under the terms of the Retirement Plan, employees must contribute 7.5% of their gross salary to the Plan. Contributions made to the plan are made before income taxes are calculated.

This plan is administered by VOYA financial. FICA Alternative Information Sheet.

Adjuncts are eligible for 6 Credits per semester.

Letter of appointment (temporary, part-time) may receive Grant-in-Aid for courses taken during the regular fall and spring semesters, not to exceed the number of credit hours taught with a 6-credit maximum.

To apply for GIA, please use Workday. Grant-in-Aid Workday – Job Aid

For any questions regarding GIA or dependent use of GIA please contact gia@csn.edu.

1. Contact the local Social Security Office if retiring at age 62 or older.

This is the time to arrange for the start of your Social Security Retirement income, if eligible. You can (800) 772-1213 for an appointment or for forms. Below please find the locations for the local Social Security Offices.

Please visit the Social Security website for booklets, office locator, and all Social Security related information: https://www.ssa.gov/.

2. Contacting your retirement representative:

PERS:

If you are a Public Employee Retirement System of Nevada (PERS) member, request an estimate of benefits approximately 90 days prior to retirement.

If you are a classified employee, or a faculty member who had an active account with NV PERS at the time you were hired with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), please request an estimate of your NV PERS benefit by calling 702-486-3900 or by visiting: https://www.nvpers.org/front.

RPA:

If you are a member of the Retirement Plan Alternative 401(a) (RPA) program make an appointment with a representative from your investment carrier(s).

The purpose of this meeting should be to clarify any additional questions you may have about your accounts including current fund allocation, accumulated balances, and distribution options. Mainly, this meeting should establish what action steps you need to take to implement your distribution decisions. These will include what forms need to be completed and when they need to be received in order to ensure a smooth transition into retirement.

Vendor Contact information:

VALIC  - 796-0047

FIDELITY  - 800-343-0860

TIAA-CREF  - (702) 990-3692

3. Approximately 90 days prior to retirement, if you are participating in the supplementary retirement programs 403(b) and/or 457, make an appointment with either the TIAA (403(b)) or Voya (457) retirement program representative.

The purpose of this meeting should be to clarify any additional questions you may have about your accounts including current fund allocation, accumulated balances, and distribution options. Mainly, this meeting should establish what action steps you need to take to implement your distribution decisions. These will include what forms need to be completed and when they need to be received in order to assure a smooth transition into retirement.  This will offer you an opportunity to discuss maximum calendar-year contributions.

4. Approximately 90 days prior to retirement, notify your supervisor about your approaching retirement (non-faculty) or contact your Department Chair about your approaching retirement (faculty).

If non-faculty, make sure that your supervisor is aware of your retirement date so that all necessary arrangements can be made. If faculty, this is the time to remind your Department Chair of your approaching retirement and address any final transition issues.

5. Approximately 60 days prior to retirement, make an appointment with Kathy Eghoian.

This appointment should be used to help you evaluate retirement benefits and complete required paperwork for those benefits that you are eligible to continue after retirement such as health insurance and applicable supplemental insurances.  You will discuss final payroll procedures and complete a Clearance Certificate.

Links:

• Financial Wellness Week - April 2024
• NSHE - Retirement Plan Administration
• Building for Your Retirement - WEP
• Public Employees' Retirement System
• TIAA

NSHE Supplemental 403(b) Plan - TIAA

NSHE Supplemental 457 Plan - Voya

Please contact your HR Benefits representative if you have any questions regarding voluntary retirement products at 702-651-5800.