Employee Benefits Summary

Overview

Employees of the Comptroller are part of the State Personnel Management System and those individuals who work in non-temporary Comptroller positions at least 50 percent of the 40 hour workweek are eligible for the benefits described below. Contractual employees may purchase health benefits with the state's plan, but are not eligible for the State subsidy. The benefits described here are only a summarized version of the many benefits and programs offered by the State of Maryland to employees in non-temporary positions. This benefit summary is divided into the following major areas: Health Benefits; Retirement Plans; Paid Leave Benefits and Other Benefits of Maryland State employment. We encourage interested candidates to visit the website addresses posted for more detailed information on any of the programs mentioned.

Health Benefits:

• Medical Plan Options

  • Care First BCBS Preferred Provider Option (PPO)
  • MLH-Eagle Preferred Provider Option (PPO)
  • Aetna US Healthcare Quality Point-of-Service (POS)
  • Care First BCBS - Maryland Point-of Service
  • Care First BCBS - Blue Choice (HMO)
  • M.D.IPA Preferred Point-of-Service (POS)
  • Kaiser Permanente (HMO)
  • Optimum Choice HMO (MAMSI/United HealthCare)

  Detailed information on each of these plans as well as the bi-weekly medical premiums are posted on the Department of Budget and Management's website.

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Plan

  Mental Health and Substance Abuse plan coverage is available to individuals and their dependents carrying medical plan coverage with the State of Maryland. The State's Mental and Substance Abuse plan for individuals enrolled in PPO and POS medical plans are administered by APS Healthcare, Inc. (APS). Individuals enrolled in HMO medical plans receive all mental health and substance abuse coverage through their HMO. Mental health and substance abuse benefits through the State cannot be obtained if not enrolled in a State medical health plan.

  • The cost of coverage is included in the medical plan premium.
  • Mental health and substance abuse benefits vary depending on the medical plan.

• Prescription Plan

  Prescription plan coverage is available to individuals and their dependents who are eligible for health benefits with the State. The State's prescription plan is soon to be administered by Pharmacy Benefits Manager. The prescription plan covers the cost of most approved prescriptions, subject to normal co-payments which are determined by whether the drug is on a formulary list and whether the drug is a brand-name or generic.

• Dental Plan Options

  Three (3) dental plans are offered to Maryland State employees:

  Dental Benefit Providers (DHMO) and United Concordia (DHMO) offer employees and dependents the option of selecting a primary Dental Office (PDOP) from the dental network, which will provide or arrange for all dental care. Preventive care and diagnostic dental care paid at 100% when services are received from the PDO. Restorative and other major services are offered at a reduced cost. Orthodontic services are available for both adults and children. For more details, go to www.dbp-inc.com or www.ucci.com (Click on Clients' Corner and State of Maryland).

  United Concordia (DPPO) offers employees and dependents the option of receiving care at any dentist of the employee's choice. Benefit coverage amounts are higher if the individual chooses and in-network PPO dentist. If the employee uses an out-of-network dentist, the individual needs to file a claim form for reimbursement. No referrals are needed for specialty care. Orthodontic services are available for both adults and eligible children age 23 and younger. Additional information is available at www.ucci.com (Click on Clients' Corner and State of Maryland).

• Term Life Insurance Plan

  A Term Life Insurance plan is available to all employees and their dependents who are eligible for health benefits with the State. It is offered through the Standard Insurance Company. Premium rates are determined based upon age and/or dependent/spousal plan coverage. Detailed information is available at www.standard.com/mybenefits/maryland.

• Personal and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Plan

  The personal Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan (PA&D) is available to all active status employees and their dependents who are eligible for health benefits with the State. It is offered to State employees through the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The plan provides benefits in the event of an accidental death or dismemberment.

  More detailed information and bi-weekly rates are available on the Department and Budget and Management's website or at Metlife's website at www.metlife.com.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

  Employees may direct pre-tax dollars into special accounts to pay for healthcare expenses not covered by the medical plan and for day care expenses. Please note that strict IRS regulations apply and you are encouraged to review thoroughly the Enrollment Guide for Flexible Spending Accounts section in the Maryland State Employees Health Benefit Booklet on SHPS' website at www.shps.com.

Retirement Plans

• Maryland State Pension:

  New employees are required to join the State Employee Pension System. There is a mandatory 3% contribution for employees until June 30, 2007; the employee contribution requirement will be 4% of earnable compensation in FY2008 and 5% of earnable compensation starting July 1, 2008.

  Vesting: Employees are vested in the pension system after five years of service. If an employee leaves State Service after vesting, but before retirement, the employee is eligible for pension benefits at age 62. Early retirement is age 55 with at least 15 years of creditable service.

  For more information about the Maryland State Employee Pension System visit the website at: http://www.sra.state.md.us

• Death Benefits:

  The Maryland State Retirement and Pension System administers the employee death benefit provision. This benefit is monetary compensation equal to one year of salary that is awarded to an employee's designated beneficiary(ies) in the event of the employee's death while in active State service.

• Supplemental Retirement Plans:

  Employees have the opportunity to participate in three (3) supplemental retirement plans:

  457 Deferred Compensation Plan

  403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan

  401(k) Savings & Investment Plan

  Employees are eligible to participate immediately upon employment with the State. The minimum contribution is $5.00 per pay and the maximum varies by plan. Employees who are members of the Maryland State Pension system will have their contributions matched dollar-for-dollar, up to a maximum of $600 per plan year. Contractual employees are eligible to join, but do not receive the matching contribution.

  More information about these plans is available at http://www.msrp.state.md.us/

Paid Leave Benefits

• Holiday Benefits:

  The State observes eleven (11) holidays each year and statewide general election days. State offices are closed on the following days:

  New Year's Day	Columbus Day
  Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.	Veterans' Day
  Presidents' Day	Thanksgiving
  Memorial Day	Day after Thanksgiving
  Independence Day	Christmas Day
  Labor Day

  
  

• Leave Benefits:

  Annual Leave: Full-time State employees earn annual leave in the following increments:

  Length of Service	Amount of Annual Leave
  0-5 years of service	10 days per year
  6-10 years of service	15 days per year
  11-20 years of service	20 days per year
  21 or more years of service	25 days per year

  
  
  • Annual leave is prorated based on percentage of employment.
  • New employees must wait until they have completed six (6) months of State service before they can use annual leave. After six months, new full-time employees will be credited with five (5) days of annual leave.
  • Employees may carry-over annual leave from one calendar year to the next for a maximum accrual of 50 days of annual leave.



• Personal Leave: State employees are granted six (6) days of personal leave beginning of the first pay period of calendar year.

  • Personal leave is prorated based on the percentage of employment and start date of employment (if employed after January 1^st).
  • Personal leave is available to all employees immediately upon State employment.
  • Personal leave cannot be accumulated or carried over from on calendar year to the next.

• Sick leave: State employees earn 15 days of sick leave per year. For a full time employee in a non-temporary position the earning rate is 4.615 hours per pay period.

  • Sick leave is prorated based on the percentage of full-time employment.
  • Sick leave can accrue or be carried over from year to year; there is no maximum accrual limit. Upon retirement directly from State service, unused sick leave will be calculated as additional service credit.
  • All unused sick leave is forfeited when you resign from State employment. Should you return to State service within three (3) years, your unused sick leave will be restored.

Other Benefits

There are a variety of other Maryland State benefit programs in which employees of the Comptroller are eligible to participate. Contractual employees, however, are ineligible for these benefits:

Blood Donor Program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Employee-to-Employee Leave Donation Program

Employees' Leave Bank

Employee Recognition Awards &Incentive Programs

Banking Services (State Employees Credit Union SECU)

Public Transportation Program (MTA services)

Training and Tuition Reimbursement

United Buying Service

U.S. Savings Bonds Program

Telework Program

If you have any questions about how these particular programs are administered in the Comptroller's Office, please contact the Comptroller's Personnel Office at (410) 260-7695 or email the office at ohr@comp.state.md.us.

February 2007