Benefits Summary

GROUP MEDICAL AND LIFE INSURANCE

• The Office of Group Benefits (OGB) administers group medical and life insurance for state employees. You may review the medical plan options by visiting their website at https://info.groupbenefits.org/.

The plan year is from January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year. A copy of the official schedule of monthly premium rates can be obtained from the Office of Human Resources or on OGB’s website at: https://info.groupbenefits.org/premium-rates/.

• As a new employee, there is a waiting period before coverage begins. New hire coverage begins the first of the month following the first full month of employment. (Ex: If your hire date is the 1st of January, your coverage would begin on February 1st. If your hire date is between January 2nd and January 31st, your coverage would not begin until March 1st). Should an employee fail to enroll in coverage within 30 days of hire, the employee may enroll during the open enrollment period in October.
• Premiums are deducted a month in advance, so premiums deducted in the month of January pay for coverage in the month of February.
• Premiums are deducted on a bi-weekly basis from 24 of your 26 annual paychecks.

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PREMIUM CONVERSION PLAN

• Employees enrolled in OGB health or life plans are automatically enrolled in the Flexible Benefits Premium Conversion Plan, which allows for eligible benefit premiums to be deducted on a pre-tax basis. More information on the OGB Flex plans can be found at: https://info.groupbenefits.org/flexible-benefits/.
• The plan also offers dependent care and health care spending accounts.

SUPPLEMENTAL COVERAGE

• Supplemental plan information, including rates for dental, vision, disability, term life, AD&D, hospital indemnity, critical illness, accident, and identity theft protection, may be accessed by visiting the 2022 LCTCS Benefits Guide.
• Enroll here: https://aflac.benselect.com/Enroll.
  • You will need to log in. If this is your first visit to the site, your PIN is the last four digits of your SSN plus the two-digit year of your birth. For example, if the last 4 digits of your SSN are 1122 and you were born in 1968, your PIN would be 112268. You will be required to change your PIN when you first log in to the website. Note: Your Employee ID number is your Banner employee ID number. Please contact your Human Resources Office if you need assistance logging in.

RETIREMENT PLANS

• The Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL) Plan is the retirement plan for unclassified staff and faculty positions at BRCC. Unclassified positions are those not covered by the Department of State Civil Service regulations. The standard retirement plan is a defined benefit plan that vests in 5 years.
• The Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (LASERS) is the retirement plan for classified positions at BRCC. Classified positions are those governed by the Department of State Civil Service regulations.
• Retirement plan participation is required by state law. The current TRSL and LASERS employee contribution rate is 8% of gross salary.
• You may access information via the TRSL website at http://www.trsl.org/ and the LASERS website at www.lasersonline.org.

SOCIAL SECURITY

• Government employees in Louisiana do not contribute to Social Security. The monies that would normally be contributed to Social Security serve as your contribution to a retirement plan.
• Important information for government employees regarding Social Security can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/gpo-wep.html.

403(B) AND 457 INVESTMENT OPTIONS

• The State of Louisiana has a 457 Deferred Compensation investment option in which you may elect to participate. This is strictly your contributions into your choice of investment options under the plan provided through Great West. There is no state/employer match. You may find out more about these plans by visiting https://louisianadcpretire.gwrs.com/.
• You may elect to also contribute to a 403(b) plan. To view these plans, click here: https://www.lctcs.edu/human-resources/benefits.
• No state match is provided; strictly your contribution is toward investment options as provided by the vendor.

DIRECT DEPOSIT / CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP

• As a Louisiana and Community College System (LCTCS) institution, BRCC employees are required to participate in direct deposit of net pay unless certain conditions exist to exempt the employee from this requirement. Mandatory Direct Deposit Policy

HOLIDAYS

BRCC has 14 paid holidays a year. The approved holiday calendar can be found here: BRCC Holiday Schedule.

LEAVE

For unclassified, non-Civil Service employees, the College has formally adopted the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Policy #6.003 Leave for Unclassified Employees as its official policy. Regulations regarding all forms of leave for unclassified faculty and staff are addressed in LCTCS Policy #6.003.

Leave for classified, Civil Service employees is governed by the Civil Service rules and regulations for the State of Louisiana. These rules can be accessed here: Civil Service Rules.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

• HigherEd EAP offers resources for emotional and mental well-being, as well as opportunities for professional growth. BRCC employees are provided benefits offered by HigherEd EAP at no cost. Visit HigherEdEAP.com for more information.
• Employees may call 1-800-252-4555, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to reach a professional counselor.

OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & SERVICES

Tuition Assistance

• The Tuition Assistance Program is for eligible BRCC employees and their eligible spouses and dependents. Educational Assistance Policy
• For eligibility, BRCC employees are encouraged to contact the Office of Human Resources for the most up-to-date policy information.