Employee Benefits
North Country Community College offers a highly competitive benefit package for our employees.
Retirement Benefits
Full-time employees are required to join a retirement system within 30 days of their appointment/hire date. Eligibility for a retirement system depends on a variety of factors. Once your election is made, you will generally not be allowed to change retirement systems unless you have a change in your employment title making you eligible for a different retirement system for the first time and you opt to change to that system within 30 days of your eligible appointment.
The New York State and Local Employees' Retirement System (ERS)
NYS ERS is a defined benefit plan. Benefits are based upon years of service, final
average salary, and age at the time of retirement.
• ERS Membership Application
New York State Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
NYS TRS is a defined benefit plan. Benefits are based upon years of service, final
average salary, and age at the time of retirement.
• TRS Membership Application
SUNY Optional Retirement Program (ORP)
SUNY ORP is a defined contribution plan. Benefits are based on success of investments
from one or more of the currently authorized investment providers for the SUNY ORP,
including Fidelity, TIAA-CREF, VOYA, and AIG.
• SUNY ORP Enrollment
Voluntary Savings Plans
There are two different types of voluntary savings plans available to employees, each type being authorized under a different section of IRS Code.
• Universal Availability Notice
• Tax-Deferred Annuity Program, 403(b)
• NYS Deferred Compensation Plan 457(b)
• Tax-Deferred Annuity Program, 403(b) vs. NYS Deferred Compensation Plan, 457(b)
Medical Insurance
The College offers eligible employees two types of health insurance plans: a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) through the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) Empire Plan and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) through NYSHIP. For more plan information, please see the At A Glance.
• Marketplace Coverage Options
Dental Insurance
Guardian - A comprehensive dental plan is offered to eligible employees. Coverage is provided on a 3-tier services basis: preventive services, basic services, major services. For more plan information, please see the Guardian Summary.
• Guardian Enrollment and Change Form
CSEA Employee Benefit Fund Dental - A comprehensive dental plan offered to eligible employees. CSEA EBF contracts with participating dental offices to accept the fee schedule as payment in full for covered dental services whether payment is made by you or CSEA EBF. If you choose a non-participating provider, and are charged more than the amount listed under the Schedule of Allowances you must pay the difference. For more information and payment schedule, please see CSEA EBF Summary.
• CSEA EBF Enrollment and Change Form
Flexible Spending Plan
In accordance with Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, NCCC offers a flexible spending plan for unreimbursed health care expenses and dependent care reimbursement with pre-tax dollars. This benefit must be renewed annually during open enrollment. The 2024 health care FSA contribution limits are $3,200 and the dependent care FSA contributions limits are $5,000.
• FSA Enrollment Kit Including Enrollment Form
• Health Care Expenses Reimbursement Request Form
• Dependent Care Expenses Reimbursement Form
Group Term Life Insurance
Various levels of coverage are available for full-time employees ranging from $25,000 through $125,000 policies. This benefit ceases at separation of employment. For more plan information, please see the Life Insurance Summary.
Under federal guidelines, the value of group term life insurance in excess of $50,000, referred to as imputed income, is taxable income and, as such, is reported annually on your W2. While the value is subject to federal, state and FICA taxes (Social Security/Medicare taxes), the College is only required to withhold FICA taxes.
• Life Insurance Enrollment Form
Long Term Disability
The long-term disability plan provides financial protection for eligible employees, who become disabled due to a non work-related illness or injury, by paying a portion of your income while you are disabled. Benefits begin 26 weeks after you first become disabled. If approved, the Plan will pay a basic monthly income benefit equal to 60% of qualified monthly earnings up to a maximum benefit of $5,000 per month. Certain other incomes (i.e. Social Security Disability Benefits) are deducted from this payment. The Plan also provides for a monthly annuity premium benefit. For more information, please see The Standard Long Term Disability Summary.
NYS College Savings Program
Post-tax dollars can be invested into New York's 529 College Savings Program to set aside money for qualified higher-education expenses, such as tuition, certain room and board costs, books, and fees. Eligible employees can enroll in the plan at any time. Contributions will not be reflected on your W-2 Wage and Tax Statement. However, tax deductions may be reflected when you file your New York State tax returns. Additional information can be found by clicking here.
Employee Assistance Services Program (EAP)
This plan provides short-term counseling to benefit eligible employees and the members of their household for free. They will provide you with confidential counseling for stress, marital issues, communication issues, career counseling, emotional counseling, family, financial, legal, alcohol/drug use, personality conflicts, etc.
Phone:
518.563.8293 (local)
1.800.724.0747 (out of the area)
Tuition Assistance Programs
NCCC Tuition Waiver - The College will allow eligible full-time employees and certain
family members free or discounted tuition for courses taken at NCCC.
• Employee Tuition Waiver Form
SUNY Assistance - Eligible employees will be considered for tuition assistance, based on funding and discretion of Administration, at SUNY state-operated campuses.
• SUNY Application for Tuition and Fee Assistance
SUNY Employee Discounts Program
Various discount and savings programs are offered to eligible employees from a wide variety of merchants, vendors, and providers. SUNY Discounts.