Employee Benefits and Retirement

Printable benefits document

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (ENI) is a professional, confidential counseling service available to assist all employees (FT and PT) and their immediate family members in resolving personal issues before they affect health, family relationships, and/or job performance. The Employee Assistance Program (ENI) also covers HR Development Tools, Legal/Financial Consultations, Health Advocacy, Child/Elder Care, Virtual Concierge, Health Coaching and Behavioral Health Counseling. Benefits include up to (8) visits per category listed per calendar year for each family member. If additional visits are needed, the state health plan will cover behavioral health counseling services at the existing counseling co-pay.

To contact an Employee Assistance Program Counselor at ENI for free confidential assistance call 1-800-327-2255 or nexgeneap.com. Total usage numbers “only” of college employees and family members using the services are reported quarterly to the Human Resources Department for determining continuation of this benefit.

Fair Labor Standards Act

See Time-Off Plan for Overtime Compensation in the Leave Regulations section.

Insurance Benefits

Durham Tech provides several insurance plans and voluntary supplemental plans for full-time employees. The college also provides medical, dental, and life insurance for full-time employees. Employees must enroll within 30 days of their starting date in order to be eligible to participate in any insurance benefits Durham Tech provides. All insurance becomes effective on the first day of the month after the employee receives their first paycheck. There is no waiting period for the employee's dependents if they are enrolled within the first 30 days of employment. For enrollment after the first 30 days of employment.

Various insurance plans are available as follows:

Medical Insurance

Health insurance is provided by the North Carolina Teachers’ and State Employees’ Comprehensive Major Medical Plan. The college pays for the cost of the employee’s coverage on the basic coverage plan; employees pay a portion of the standard coverage plan. Children and family coverage is available to each participating employee and must be paid by the employee. For additional information about this insurance, visit the State Health Plan website, or contact the college’s Accounting and Payroll Director who also serves as the college's Health Benefits Representative.

Dental Insurance

Dental insurance coverage is through Interactive Medical Systems. The college pays the cost of the employee’s coverage. Family coverage is available to each participating employee and must be paid by the employee. Coverage includes exams, cleaning, and X-rays at 100 percent. Other procedures are covered at 80 percent for preventive service and 50 percent for restorative procedures. Limited assistance is provided for orthodontic care.

Vision Insurance

Vision insurance is available as an optional benefit through the Community Eye Care provider network of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and optical companies. Employees may select a plan for an annual exam and materials or a plan for materials only. Discounts are available for prescription eyeglass lenses and frames, contact lenses, disposable contact lenses, and all other prescription materials. Because this is an optional benefit, all costs related to participation are paid by participants.

TelaDoc

TelaDoc provides employees with 24/7 phone or video access to doctors who can diagnose common medical conditions, provide treatment plans, and even write prescriptions when needed. Whether they’re on vacation or its 2am, employees can have access to the care they need, when they need it. Visit Teladoc.com or call 1-800-835-2632.

HealthAdvocate

Health Advocate gives employees 24/7 access to healthcare experts, who help make the complex simple by personally helping employees find the right answers for questions about medical issues, health plan coverage or connecting members to professional counselors for help with personal, family, and work problems. Contact 1-866-799-2728.

Cancer/Dread Disease Insurance

Cancer/dread disease insurance is available as an optional plan covering cancer and 30 specified diseases with hospital intensive care. A return of premium is available after five years.

Disability Insurance

The Teachers’ and State Employees’ Disability Income Plan provides an equitable replacement income for eligible employees who are temporarily or permanently disabled and unable to perform the duties required of their usual occupation prior to retirement. Short-term disability benefits are payable on the sixty-first day of a disability. Employees must have at least one year of contributing membership service in the Retirement System earned within 36 calendar months preceding the disability. Benefits for short-term disability are equal to 50 percent of 1/12 of the employee’s annual base rate of compensation. At the conclusion of the short-term eligibility period, an employee whose disability is likely to be permanent is eligible to apply for long-term disability benefits if the employee has five years of contributing membership service earned within 96 calendar months prior to the end of the short-term disability (available to employees participating in the Retirement System).

Disability insurance options are also available as follows:

  • Colonial Life Insurance Company – Provides an individual plan beginning on the eighth day an illness (including pregnancy) and the first day of an accident. This insurance is portable after separation from the college.

  • Sun Life Financial Voluntary Long-Term Disability- Provides an individual plan based on the individual’s annual earnings and age. This insurance is portable after separation from the college.

Liability Insurance

All employees are covered through Durham Tech's general and professional liability insurance. This insurance provides coverage arising from any alleged wrongful act, error, omission or neglect, or breach of duty that occurs when acting as a representative of Durham Tech.

Pet Insurance

Nationwide offers medical coverage and wellness coverage for pets. Medical coverage includes accidents, illnesses, surgeries, and prescriptions. Wellness coverage includes vaccinations, checkups, and flea/heartworm prevention. Employees can enroll and receive a quote from PetsNationwide.com or 1-877-738-7874.

Life Insurance

Durham Tech provides life insurance benefits and additional options as follows:

  • Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System of North Carolina – Provides a group plan equal to the employee’s annual salary, not to exceed $50,000, after one year of employment

  • Colonial Life Insurance Company – Provides a voluntary group plan offering term and cash value permanent life insurance as well as an accidental death benefit. This insurance is portable

  • Met Life Insurance Company – Provides a group plan equal to the employee’s annual salary up to $100K. This benefit is provided only to full-time employees and is for basic annual earnings and will not include overload contracts, summer contracts, and supplemental contracts.

Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care benefits are available to Durham Tech employees on a voluntary, self-pay basis. These benefits are intended to supplement benefits provided through the employee's health plan. Coverage is available to employees and their spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, and grandparents-in-law. Pierce Insurance offers a Life Time Benefits Term, which includes Long Term Care, with this coverage if you become chronically ill, Life Time Benefit Term will pay you 4% of your death benefit each month you receive Long Term Care. Life Time Benefit Term provides money to your family at death, and while you are living too, if you need home health care, assisted living or nursing care. For about the same premium, Lifetime Benefit Term provides higher benefits than permanent life insurance and last to age 121.

Longevity Pay

Regular contract full-time employees are eligible for longevity pay after the date the employee has completed 10 years of aggregate service to the State of North Carolina. Prior State of North Carolina service may count toward calculation of longevity for pay purposes if necessary records are provided by the employee at the time of employment.

Longevity pay amounts are computed by multiplying the employee's annual base salary rate as of the eligibility date by the appropriate percentage in accordance with the following table:

Years of Aggregate State Service

Longevity Pay Rate

10 but less than 15 years

1.50%

15 but less than 20 years

2.25%

20 but less than 25 years

3.25%

25 or more years

4.50%


Annual payment is made in a lump sum, subject to all statutory deductions, during the monthly pay period in which the employee has satisfied all eligibility requirements.
 

National College Savings Program (529 Plan)

Full-time and continuing part-time employees are eligible to participate in the National College Savings Program. The National College Program, which is officially known as the North Carolina Savings and Investment Program, has been established by the State Education Assistance Authority, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina, to enable residents of any state to invest funds to pay the qualified higher education expenses of their designated beneficiaries on a flexible basis that achieves certain tax savings in accordance with federal tax law and North Carolina law. As part of the program, the General Assembly has established the Parental Savings Trust Fund of which the Authority is trustee, to hold all assets of the program. The Trust Fund assets are not the property of the State of North Carolina. See additional information on the CFNC website.

Retirement Spouses and Medicare

Full-time employees working 30 hours or more per week are enrolled in the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System, and six percent is deducted monthly from all wages earned to contribute to this retirement benefit. The state contributes a percentage of all wages paid as the employer’s contribution to the employee’s retirement account.

As of July 1, 1982, employees’ contributions were placed into a State employee tax-sheltered annuity account. These contributions are deferred from State and Federal income taxes until the employee retires or withdraws the funds.

Employees become vested in TSERS (Teachers’ and State Employees Retirement System) once they have completed a minimum of five years of membership service. Employees are eligible to apply for lifetime monthly retirement benefits based on the retirement formula in effect at the time of their retirement and the age and service requirements completed, provided they do not withdraw their contributions.

At retirement, employees must elect one of the payment options. On average, the payment options are equivalent to one another. Each option is calculated so that its total value is the same as the value of the other options if the employee and the named beneficiary (if any) live their expected life spans. The monthly payments will differ based on the age of the selected beneficiary (if any).

Employees may be eligible for State Health Plan coverage under the Retirement Systems. The cost, if any, is determined by two factors:

  1. When state employment was begun, and
  2. Which health plan is selected.

In all cases, if employees choose coverage for their dependents, they must pay the full cost of the dependent coverage. Coverage begins on the first day of the month following the effective date of retirement. When employees (or their covered dependents) become eligible for Medicare, they must elect both Parts A (Hospital) and B (Medical) in order to maintain the same level of coverage received before retirement.

Note: Members hired on or after January 1, 2021, will not be eligible to receive retiree medical benefits.

Employees planning to retire please do the following:

  • Complete Form 6 available on the Orbit website at myncretirement.com.
  • Meet with Human Resources to discuss next steps in the process.
  • Submit resignation letter to the addressed to President no later than 90 days prior to retirement date.
  • Copies of the letter should also go to your immediate and secondary supervisor, and to Human Resources.

For additional retirement information, see Separation from the College and Re-Employment of Retired Persons.

Section 125 Flexible Benefits Plan (Cafeteria Plan)

The Flexible Benefits Plan allows employees to elect (by estimating expected expenses) the amount of out-of-pocket medical and/or dependent/child care expenses they anticipate incurring during the annual benefit period. The law allows for that same amount of income not to be taxed. The portion elected for eligible expenses is set aside each pay period and later reimbursed when the expense is incurred (available to full-time employees and continuing part-time employees working 30 hours or more per week).

Special Offers and Discounts

Some restaurants, stores, and businesses give discounts, coupons, or special offers to state and local government public employees.

  • The college participates in the “WeSave” program. Discounts to theme parks, dining, and more.

  • The Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) offers a 10% discount to Broadway shows.

  • TicketsatWork.com offers savings on movie tickets, theme parks, hotels, tours, Broadway and Vegas shows, and more. Use code DTCCF18

  • McDuffie Dentistry located at 6104 Fayetteville Road, Suite 107, offers free teeth whitening for new patients. 

  • The State Employees Credit Union offers discounts to entertainment, attractions, dining, shopping, and travel.

  • The American Dance Festival performances offer a 20% discount to ADF performances at the Durham Performing Arts Center and Reynolds Industries Theater on Duke University's Campus. Purchase tickets online using the code: UNI17ADF or in person at either box office with a Durham Tech ID. The discount is not available for the Children’s Matinee performances, Savion Glover& Jack DeJohnnette at Page Auditorium, Sara Juli at Motorco, Trajal Harrell at Shaefer Theater, or Koma at 21c.

  • Spiffy On-Demand Car Care provides mobile car wash and detailing services at Durham Tech every Wednesday and Thursday. Book with the Spiffy app and receive $10 off for an oil change or car wash/detailing services. Book online or over the phone using promo code DURHAMTECH.

Student Clinics

Cosmetology Clinic

Open to the public, Cosmetology program students provide hair, nail, and makeup services at reduced prices. The Cosmetology Clinic is located at the Duke Street North campus. Call 919-536-7222, ext. 4313, for an appointment.

Esthetician Spa

Students of the Esthetician Technology program provide Durham Tech employees, current students 18 or older, and members of the public with free facials, waxing, and specialty services. The Esthetician spa is located at the Duke Street North campus. Call 919-536-7222, ext. 4313, for an appointment.

Massage Therapy Clinic

The Durham Tech Massage Therapy Clinic provides full body massages at a reduced price to anyone 18 and older. The clinic is staffed by Durham Tech Massage Therapy students and is located at the Duke Street North campus. Call 919-536-7222, ext. 4313, for an appointment.

Optical Shop

As part of the Opticianry program’s laboratory instruction, students can fabricate employees’ and students’ eyeglasses on request according to their prescription. This service, provided under supervision of the instructor, is available through the Durham Tech Optical Shop. A competitive fee is charged for the fabrication of eyeglasses. Free adjustments and minor eyeglass repairs are also available. The shop accepts Community Eye Care insurance. However the services are considered out of network, but forms for reimbursement can be obtained on the Community Eye Care website. You may also use your FSA card to purchase eyeglasses or contacts from the shop through the College’s Business Office.

College Bookstore Discount

The College Bookstore provides a discount to employees on purchases on clothing, gifts, and supplies that are imprinted with Durham Tech. 

Real Estate and Relocation Program

Employees of Durham Tech have access to a real estate and relocation incentive program called SMARTMOVE. SMARTMOVE helps homebuyers and sellers identify qualified real estate professionals to navigate the total home ownership experience. The program assigns a personal move coordinator who provides a network of skilled real estate agents, household good movers, mortgage lenders, and other vendors related to buying, selling, or owning real estate. Registering in the program also qualifies participants for cash rewards. For more information, contact Fonville Morrissey Relocation Services at 1-800-846-7356 or visit the website.

State Employee's Credit Union

Employees are eligible to join the State Employees' Credit Union. The credit union is a cooperative savings and loan association organized to promote thrift among its members and to provide a source of credit for worthwhile purposes at the least possible cost. Banking services include but may not be limited to savings, checking, loans, and direct payroll deposit. Financial advisement is also available. Contact the Accounting and Payroll Services Department in the Business Office for information.

Coastal Credit Union

Full-time employees are eligible to join the Coastal Credit Union. As a credit union, it is owned by its members. Transactions provide donations back to the community. Minimum deposit to join is $25.

Self Help Credit Union

Full-time employees are eligible to join the Self-Help Credit Union. Self-Help’s mission is to create and protect ownership and economic opportunity for all. Durham Tech supports this Co-Op credit union because it provides responsible financial services and promotes fair financial practices across North Carolina.

Tax-Deferred Annuity Plans

Tax-deferred annuity programs are available to full-time and continuing part-time employees. Under these programs, the employee designates specific salary funds to be deposited in an annuity fund. These funds are deferred from taxes until the employee retires or withdraws the funds. These additional funds at retirement may serve to supplement an employee’s retirement income. College employees may choose to participated in several retirement savings plans. The NC 401(k) Plan and the NC Deferred Compensation Plan (457) are two supplemental retirement saving options available through the Department of the State Treasurer. The NC 403(b) Program was created by the Department of State Treasurer for the state’s K-12 and community college faculty and staff. Funds contributed into one or more of the plans may serve to supplement an employee’s retirement income from the state retirement pension and from Social Security. All record-keeping, education, and communication services for the Program Plans are provided through Prudential Retirement. For additional information you may contact either at NCPlans.prudential.com or 1-866-627-5267.

Workers' Compensation

All employees are covered through the North Carolina Workers’ Compensation Insurance. Liability under Workers’ Compensation applies to on-the-job injuries or death caused by an accident arising in the course of employment. In case of an accident covered through Workers’ Compensation Insurance, individuals may obtain the necessary forms to report such accidents from the Business Office located in the White Building. More information can be found in the the Workers’ Compensation manual on the Employee Shared Drive > Human Resources.

Other Benefits

Professional Development

Additional training and educational opportunities are discussed in the Professional Development section.