Berkeley County Water & Sanitation

Benefit Summary

Human Resources Department

PO Box 1529, 212 Oakley Plantation Drive

Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461

Phone Numbers and Other Information

Moncks Corner:     (843) 761-8817
Charleston:           (843) 572-4400
St. Stephen:           (843) 567-2061
Direct:                     (843) 719-2653
Fax Number:         (843) 719-2413
Email:                     psingleton@bcwsa.com

Benefits

This summary has been prepared to inform prospective employees of the benefits that are offered by Berkeley County Water & Sanitation. Please note that these benefits are subject to change at any time. We will attempt to keep this list as current as possible, but there could be times when there has been a change and it has not yet been reflected in this document. If you require clarification or additional information on any of the below listed items, please contact the Human Resources Department. Most benefits only apply to employees who work at least 30 hours per week and are classified as full time unless otherwise specified.

Insurance Coverages and Programs:

Health & Dental Insurance Coverage -

All employees who work a minimum of 30 hours per week in a regular budgeted position are eligible to participate in the health insurance program provided by the State of South Carolina. We offer health and dental insurance coverage through the S.C. State Employee Insurance Program. Health care plans include Blue Cross & Blue Shield Standard, Cigna, and BlueChoice.

BCWS pays a portion of the spousal/child/full family health premiums for all health care plans and 100% of the employee’s premium if you choose to elect BCBS Standard, however; if you choose to elect BlueChoice or Cigna, you will be responsible for a portion of the employee’s premium.

The State Dental Plan and Dental Plus are administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield. We pay 100% of the employee’s dental insurance premium (this does not include the premium for Dental Plus). The employees spouse and eligible dependents may be covered at the employee’s expense.

Employees who terminate employment with BCWS may buy extended health and dental coverage for themselves and/or their eligible dependents under (Cobra).

If you move from one SC state group entity to another with no more than a 15 calendar-day break in employment, you are considered a transfer. Academic employees who complete a school term and move to another academic setting at the beginning of the next school term are also considered transfers. A transferring employee is not considered a new hire for insurance purposes. When you transfer to a new SC state group entity, your existing insurance coverage will transfer with you. You will not be allowed to make changes to your coverage until the appropriate enrollment period unless you have a qualifying event. When you terminate employment with your current employer, tell your benefits administrator that you are transferring to another state group entity without a 15-day break in employment. The Office of Insurance Services will produce a transfer form that will be sent to the benefits administrator at your new entity.

Prescription Drug Program -

All plans include a prescription drug card. Terms vary among the plans.

Vision Care Plans –

EyeMed Vision Care

Life Insurance –

Basic Life Insurance: You are automatically enrolled for $3,000.00 of life insurance at no cost to you if you enroll in a health coverage plan.

Optional Life Insurance: You can purchase additional life insurance in an amount determined by your salary level.

Spousal Life: You can purchase life insurance on your spouse at time of hire. ($10,000 - $20,000)

Dependent Life: You can purchase $15,000.00 of dependent life insurance coverage for your eligible dependents.

Disability Insurance -

Basic Long Term Disability: You are automatically enrolled in the Basic Long Term Disability Plan if you are enrolled in a state health insurance plan. This coverage pays at a percentage rate of 62.5% of your gross salary with a monthly maximum benefit.

Supplemental Long Term Disability Plan: You may purchase supplemental long term disability coverage which could increase your monthly income.

Long Term Care Plan -

This plan allows you to plan for the long term care of you, your spouse, parents or parents-in-law. It helps to pay for personal health care services for persons of all ages who suffer from chronic medical conditions whether provided in a nursing home, adult day-care center or their own home. Premiums are based on age at the time of enrollment.

Flexible Spending Account -

Money Plus: After your first year of employment, you are allowed to pay for dependent day care and medical expenses not covered by insurance with pre-tax dollars by utilizing Money Plus. You can save money by electing to have your health, dental and optional life insurance premiums paid with pre-tax dollars on your date of hire.

Retirement Systems -

All full and part time regular employees are automatically enrolled in the South Carolina Retirement System. Temporary employees are not automatically enrolled, but have the option to enroll. You will contribute a portion of your salary (6.5%) and BCWS contributes its required portion (9.06%) to your retirement account. The SCRS provides an excellent benefit that can provide future long term income and health insurance security.

You are also entitled to a life insurance policy payable in the amount of (1) one year salary through the retirement system at no cost to you after five years of service.

Miscellaneous

Personal Leave -

BCWS operates on a personal leave system. You will earn 17 days of personal leave your first year and it will increase incrementally thereafter based on your years of service. Any permanent employee working less than full-time, will earn a prorated amount of leave based on regularly scheduled hours and length of service. (Please see chart below)

FULL TIME EMPLOYEES WORKING 37.5 HOURS PER WEEK

Length of Service	Personal Leave Days Earned Per Calendar Year	Personal Leave Hours Earned Per Pay Period
0-1 Years	17	4.9
After 1 Year	19	5.4
After 5 Years	23	6.6
After 10 Years	29	8.3
After 15 Years	31	8.9
After 20 Years	33	9.5
After 25 Years	36	10.3

PART TIME EMPLOYEES

Length of Service	Personal Leave Days Earned Per Calendar Year	Personal Leave Hours Earned Per Pay Period
0-1 Years	*	2.6
After 1 Year	*	2.9
After 5 Years	*	3.5
After 10 Years	*	4.4
After 15 Years	*	4.7
After 20 Years	*	5.0
After 25 Years	*	5.5

*Part-time regular employees (including employees on initial probation): The employee will earn personal leave in accordance with the same accrual schedule as full-time employees but in proportion to the number of hours scheduled per week.

Holidays –

Berkeley County Water & Sanitation currently has 11 holidays.

Deferred Compensation -

All regular full time and part time employees can participate in a deferred compensation (i.e. 401K, 457or 401K Roth) plan through the State of South Carolina. The plans offer several choices and risk levels of investment opportunities. You may defer a minimum amount of $10.00 per month to your choice of plan(s).

Credit Unions -

Employment with Berkeley County Water & Sanitation allows you to become a member of several different credit unions.

Discounts -

The HR Staff works diligently to obtain as many discounts as possible for Berkeley County Water & Sanitation employees with various businesses.

Education Aid -

Berkeley County Water & Sanitation grants financial assistance to employees who seek to improve their educational background by taking job related courses. To participate in the Education Aid Program, employees must be a permanent full time employee continuously for one (1) year. The course must be job related and pre-approved in advance. Employees are eligible to enroll in two classes per semester, quarter or trimester not to exceed four (4) courses per school year. Reimbursement covers tuition and registration fees.

Employee Assistance Plan -

Berkeley County Water & Sanitation offers an Employee Assistance Program. This program is offered at no cost and is intended to assist employees dealing with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health or well being. A set number of visits is offered to employees and their families. EAP works in conjunction with the employee’s benefit plan.