Benefit summary for UW police officers
Overview
University of Washington offers a wide range of benefits as part of your total compensation package. Choose from top medical, dental and vision insurance programs; plan for your future with tax-deferred investing through the UW retirement options; enjoy generous vacation and sick time off policies; and protect yourself and your family with life and long-term disability insurance. For more information, follow the links shown below or explore the Benefits website.
Insurance
Eligibility
You are eligible for PEBB insurance benefits when appointed as a police officer with at least a 50 percent UW paid appointment more than 6 consecutive months. Insurance benefits generally begin the first of the following month. However, if an eligible appointment begins on the first business or calendar day of the month, eligibility begins on that day.
Medical insurance
Eligible employees may choose from several health plans, all of which are listed in the Compare Health Plans webpages.
Dental Insurance
Choose from two managed care plans and one preferred provider plan. Dental premiums for you and your eligible dependent(s) are fully paid by the UW. For more information, explore the Dental Plans page.
Vision Insurance
Choose from three vision plans. Vision premiums for you and your eligible dependent(s) are fully paid by UW. For more information, explore the Vision Plans webpage.
Long Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
The UW pays for your Employer-Paid LTD coverage which provides a 90day waiting period and a maximum benefit of $240 per month. Also available is Employee-Paid LTD, which provides a benefit of 60% of your eligible pre-disability earnings after a 90 day waiting period. For more information, explore the Long-Term Disability Insurance webpage.
Life, Accidental Death, and Dismemberment Insurance
The University provides each eligible employee with $35,000 of basic life insurance and $5,000 basic AD&D insurance at no cost. You also have the option to purchase additional insurance up to $500,000 with no Medical Evidence of Insurability, and to a maximum of $1,000,000 with Medical Evidence of Insurability. If you enroll in optional life insurance you may apply for amounts of optional life insurance for your spouse or state registered domestic partner and/or children. For more information, explore the Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance webpage.
Medical Flexible Spending Account (Medical FSA)
Note: Police Officers eligible for the UWPD VEBA benefit (see “Other Benefits – VEBA”) should contact the VEBA administrator to determine if they are eligible for an FSA before signing up. If you choose a non CDHP medical plan, you have the option to contribute to a tax-exempt Medical FSA. The Medical FSA allows you to save money on eligible health expenses. For more information, explore the Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA): Tax savings for medical costs webpage.
Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LFSA)
Police Officers eligible for the UWPD VEBA benefit (see “Other Benefits – VEBA”) should contact the VEBA administrator to determine if they are eligible for an FSA before signing up.
You can contribute to a LFSA while participating in any medical plan. However, you cannot participate in both a Medical FSA and an LFSA in the same year. The LFSA allows you to save money on eligible dental and vision expenses. For more information, explore the Limited Purpose FSA webpage.
Dependent Care Assistance Program
The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) helps you pay for child care and elder care by allowing you to set aside a portion of your salary, pre-tax, for eligible expenses. For more information, explore the DCAP: Tax saving for child and elder care webpage.
SmartHealth
Washington State’s voluntary and confidential wellness program also focuses on your health and well-being. As you progress on your wellness journey, you can qualify for a financial wellness incentive! For more information, explore the Washington State health Care Authority webpage.
Retirement
Retirement Plans
Eligible police officers participate in the Law Enforcement Officers & Fire Fighters’ (LEOFF) retirement Plan 2. With LEOFF 2, your entire retirement benefit is defined by a formula and contributions are subject to periodic rate adjustments by the state legislature.
Contributions to LEOFF 2 are tax-deferred. If you have prior State of Washington retirement participation in another state retirement plan, check the website for portability information about how that service may be included in your LEOFF 2 retirement calculation. For more information, explore the LEOFF 2 Retirement Plan webpage.
Voluntary Investment Program
Add to your retirement portfolio with the Voluntary Investment Program (VIP), an optional, unmatched retirement savings plan under Section 403(b) of the federal tax code. Use the VIP to tap into the tax advantages of pre-tax contributions, make Roth after-tax contributions to create a tax-free account for retirement, or use both contribution types. For more information, explore the UW Voluntary Investment Program webpage
Deferred Compensation Program
Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) is an additional optional, unmatched retirement savings program under IRC 457(b). New employees will automatically be enrolled in DCP three months after their start date. UW employees may participate in both VIP and DCP in the same tax year at the same time. For more information, explore the Deferred Compensation Program webpage.
Other Benefits
VEBA – Tax-free Health Reimbursement Account Campus Police Officers identified under labor agreements with Teamsters Local 117 and WFSE Police Management are eligible to participate in the UWPD VEBA as a condition of employment. A VEBA is a tax-free health reimbursement account which can accumulate year after year (unlike a Flexible Spending Account). A VEBA can be used to reimburse for any out-of-pocket qualified health expenses incurred by you and/or your eligible dependents. Based on labor contracts, the University contributes 1.2% of eligible Police Officers regular pay. Eligible UW Campus Police Officers contribute a percentage of their gross income (pre-tax) pay to their VEBA account:
- Those eligible employees covered by the WFSE Police Management contract contribute 1.5%.
- Those eligible employees covered by the Teamsters Local Union No. 117 contract contribute 1.5%.
Participation in this mandatory VEBA creates limitations on the health plan elections open to you. If you elect a CDHP medical plan, contact the VEBA Customer Care Center at customercare@veba.orgor 888-828-4953.
Holidays and Leave
The UW observes 11 paid holidays per calendar year, plus a personal paid holiday. Police officers who are in Contract Classified positions accrue vacation and sick leave based on the contract classified program. For more information, explore the Time and Absence webpage.
More Ways to Save
Review programs and educational seminars offered on saving money. For more information, explore the More Ways to Save webpage.
Hometown Home Loan Program
Save on loan fees, inspections, and appraisal fees. Pre-qualify and apply on the University of Washington Affinity Program Benefits webpage.
Transportation
- The U-PASS provides you with a variety of low-cost transportation options in the greater Puget Sound area—from buses, commuter train service and light rail, to vanpooling and discounted impromptu carpooling. For more information, explore the U-PASS webpage.
- Commute Options: Get free personalized support to help you find a commute that best fits your needs at UW Transportation Services.
Engagement Program
The Whole U is the University’s wellness and community engagement program that encompasses an amazing array of resources including discounts! Events, activities, and articles are curated around seven Whole U pillars: being active, eating well, staying healthy, financial fitness, volunteerism, life events/changes, and engaging personal interests. For more information, explore The Whole U webpage.
WA State Employee Assistance Program
Find an array of work/life resources that go beyond the ordinary. From counseling and legal assistance to financial resources and employee support programs. These services are staffed by local professionals in Washington, ensuring personalized support that aligns with our commitment to your well-being. Contact WA EAP at 877-313-4455 for services.
Self-Care
The Whole U provides many programs to assist with personal care and wellbeing for you and your loved ones. Find resources for mental, physical, and emotional health. For more information, explore The Whole U webpage.
Child Care and parenting
- Limited on-site child care for PEBB-eligible employees is available on the UW Seattle campus, at Harborview Medical Center and at
UWMC – Northwest. For more information, explore the Child Care and Caregiving webpage. - Off-site and in-home child care options for PEBB-eligible employees include backup care; priority access; tuition discounts, Sittercity membership, nanny and au pair discounts and care finding services provided by WA State Employee Assistance Program.
Adult and elder care
PEBB-eligible employees have access to several resources to help with care finding and consultation about elder care issues. For more information, explore the Adult and Elder Care webpage.
Training and Education
Tuition Exemption Program provides access to college courses (where space is available) at public higher education institutions across the state, including the UW. For more information, explore the WA State employee tuition exemption program webpage.
Professional & Organizational Development offers a wide range of training courses, workshops, and online learning for leaders and staff. For more information, explore the Upcoming Offerings webpage.
Additional Programs
- Auto, home, renter, and boat group insurance available to employees. For more information, explore the Discounts on auto, home, and renters insurance webpage.
- UW Combined Fund Drive, the state’s workplace giving campaign can be found at the Combined Fund Drive webpage.
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF), can be found at Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program webpage.
Questions
For eligibility and enrollment in Workday contact UW Benefits at 206-543-4444 orbenefits@uw.edu