NMSU Employee Orientation
Effective July 1, 2012
Benefit Services Department Room 17 Hadley Hall
(575) 646-8000
Policieshttp://nmsu.edu/manual/current-nmsu-policies.html
CHAPTER 1Governance, Authority, Organizational Structure, and Policy Changes CHAPTER 2General Operating Policies CHAPTER 3Codes of Conduct, Permissible Activities CHAPTER 4Human Resources - General Policies
CHAPTER 5Faculty Policies CHAPTER 6Academic - Related Policies CHAPTER 7Benefits CHAPTER 8Staff Policies CHAPTER 9Facilities and Services
Please Review These Policieshttp://nmsu.edu/manual/current-nmsu-policies.html
• 3.25 Discrimination/Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action
– New Mexico State University is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities in all areas of occupation.
– Employees may contact the director of the Office of Institutional Equity/EEO for consultation on discrimination matters at any time.
• 3.94 Sexual Harassment Policy – Gender Discrimination - It is the policy of New Mexico State University to provide an atmosphere free of sexual
harassment for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. • 4.05.11 Appeals/Grievances - Non-Discrimination-Based Staff,
Applicable to all Regular Non-Probation Employees – Policies and procedures are designed to provide an objective consideration of employee
grievances. • 7.20.45 Leaves - Family and Medical
– NMSU complies with the Family & Medical Leave Act of 1993.• 8.50 Performance Evaluation/Probationary Period
– All new regular employees are subject to an initial probationary period
Pay Process
Paydays are semi-monthly (on the 15th and last working day of the month)
Non-Exempt (hourly) employees are paid on a 2 week lag
Exempt (salaried) employees are paid currentDirect deposit is available for any bank or
credit union
Holiday Schedule
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Spring HolidayMemorial DayIndependence day
Labor DayThanksgiving (2 days)Winter Break
(Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day)
Leave TimeAnnual Leave
12 month employees earn 22 days per fiscal year
240 hours may be carried forward each July 1
Pro-rated if working less than 40 hours
Leave time cannot be advanced
Sick Leave 12 month employees earn
12 days per fiscal year 800 hours may be carried
forward each July 1 Pro-rated if working less
than 40 hours Doctor’s note may be
requested at any time
Sick Leave BankAvailable to all regular employees with at least 2
years of serviceMust be enrolled in LTD to participateDonation of 40 hours of personal sick leave to the
bank is requiredMembership in the Sick Leave Bank is optionalIn the event of a “personal emergency”, a member
with insufficient leave balances to cover the 135 day waiting period for LTD is eligible to apply for a donation (maximum of 70 days per request per fiscal year)
What is the Family and MedicalLeave Act?
• Family Medical Leave Act is a Federal Law that provides job protected leave benefits to eligible employees.
• The 1993 Federal Act provides:•
– Up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave
– Ability to maintain existing medical benefit programs
– Employees must have 12 months of service with NMSU (need not be consecutive) and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 month period in order to be eligible for FMLA.
• Birth of a child
• Placement of an adopted or foster child (must be taken within 12 months of placement)
• Care of a child, parent, spouse or recognized domestic partner with a serious health condition
• Serious health condition of staff member
• Care for a Service Member (only benefit that allows 26 weeks of leave, new as of 01/08)
• Leave Policies Class offered – Go to http://training.nmsu.edu/
When does FMLA Apply?
Eligible Dependents Can enroll Spouse, Domestic Partner and Partner’s Children,
and Legal Dependents (natural born, adopted, and step children) in benefits that cover family members.
Supporting documentation required to add/cover dependents. Qualified Domestic Partner – affidavit and supporting
documentation.Note: Domestic Partner benefits are subject to taxation
Dependent children, age restrictions based on benefit type.Note: over age children can retain coverage with proof of
disabilityhttp://hr.nmsu.edu/benefits-hr/benefits-eligibility/
Enrollment PeriodsNew/Late/Open/Switch/Qualifying Event
New Employee: Must enroll within 31 days of hire date.
Late: Coverage begins the first of the pay period or the first of the month following a
90 day waiting period. Not all coverages allow late enrollment. Restrictions may apply.
Open Enrollment: Medical - every four years – may change carriers, add or cancel coverage Dental - every two years – may add or cancel coverage Vision – annually – may add or cancel coverage
Switch Enrollment: Medical – annually may switch carriers or cancel coverage Dental – annually may cancel coverage
Enrollment Periods (continued)
Qualifying Event: change of status (marriage, birth, death, divorce, etc.)
Enrollment form must be received within 31 days from the date of change in status
Coverage begins the day after the event Exceptions:
Birth of a child – coverage begins the date of birth Divorce – coverage ends for ex-spouse the day before the divorce is final Vision coverage – change effective the first of the month after the event
Documentation is needed to support the change for each type of benefit**Adding dependents requires documentation to support eligibility
Premium contributions will be deducted for the whole pay period in which the change takes place
http://hr.nmsu.edu/benefits-hr/
Pre-tax PremiumThe Pre-Tax Premium Plan is offered to all NMSU employees enrolled in the NMSU Medical, Dental and Vision plans. The Pre-Tax Plan allows employees to have their medical, dental and/or vision premiums (excluding domestic partner portions of the premium) deducted from their salaries before income taxes are calculated. By using the pre-tax method for premium payments, employees can reduce their taxable income, and through tax savings, lessen the impact of insurance cost on their spendable income.– Once enrollment in the Pre-Tax Premium Plan is completed, the Plan remains in
effect during the employee’s entire employment at NMSU:• unless cancelled during the switch enrollment period, or; • unless a participant makes a mid-year election change in response to a change in status and only if the
election change is “on account of and corresponds with a change in status that affects eligibility for coverage under an employer’s plan.”
– Employees may want to consult with a tax advisor prior to making changes to the pre-tax or post-tax election.
– Once pre-tax is opted, it will automatically apply to medical, dental, and vision premiums.
University & Employee Contributionsto Premiums for Medical, Life and Long-Term Disability
Annual Salary NMSU % Employee %
$0 - $26,249 80 20
$26,250 - $31,499 70 30
$31,500+ 60 40
Group Medical Insurance Vendors – Presbyterian, Lovelace, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NM High Deductible Health Plan – with optional Health Savings Account,
HMO and PPO Regular employees working 20 or more hours are eligible for medical and
dental insurance 31 days from the date of hire to enroll Coverage begins the first day of the pay period following 30 days of
employment Pre-tax deduction option is available
Affects Social Security Taxable Wages Cannot include in itemized deductions on tax return Domestic Partner benefits are not eligible
Deductible is based on a fiscal year (July-June) Late enrollment available – restrictions apply Potential Retiree Benefit – details on later slide
Medical Insurance Benefit Comparison
Presbyterian HDHP Preferred Provider
Presbyterian HMO Lovelace BCBS of NMPreferred Provider
Deductible Single $1,200Family $2,400
Single $1502 Person $300Family $450
Single $1502 Person $300Family $450
Single $ 4002 Person $ 800Family $ 1200
Out of Pocket Maximum Single $3,000Family $9,000
Single $3,0002 Person $6,000Family $9,000
Single $3,0002 Person $6,000Family $9,000
Single $3,000Family $9,000
Physician Office Visit Primary Care Specialty Care
20% after deductible $15$30
$15$30
$25$40
Preventative Services Routine Physical Well Child Care
No Co-PayNo Co-Pay
No Co-PayNo Co-Pay
No Co-PayNo Co-Pay
No Co-PayNo Co-Pay
Hospital Services In-Patient Admission Outpatient Surgery ER Visit Urgent Care Center
20% after deductible$400 per admission
10%$175$50
$400 per admission10%$175$50
$400 per admission10%$175$50
Ambulance Services Ground Transportation Air Ambulance 20% after deductible
$30$100
$30$100
20%20%
Durable Medical 20% after deductible 20% 20% 25%
Prescription BenefitsAll Plans Except Presbyterian HDHP
Vendor - MEDCOPrescription benefits are included with the Medical
benefits – except Presbyterian HDHPWhen available, any prescribed medications are
automatically issued as a genericHome delivery (mail order) is availableSome prescriptions may require pre-authorizations or
letters of medical necessity
Prescription BenefitsPresbyterian HDHP
Offered through Presbyterian Health Plan
Benefit Cost Sharing In-network Out-of-network
Prescription Drugs (Retail)Generic (Preferred)Brand (Preferred)Non-Preferred Specialty Pharmaceuticals3
20% 30% 40% 15% Copayment up to a $250 per
prescription
Not Covered (Must use Participating Pharmacy, unless required due to an emergency occurring outside of the PHP Service Area.)
Prescription Drugs(Mail Order)Generic ·Brand (Preferred)Non-Preferred
20% 30% 40%
Not Covered (Must use Participating Pharmacy, unless required due to an emergency occurring outside of the PHP Service Area.)
3 Benefit Certification may be required
Dental Insurance Vendor - Delta Dental PPO Regular employees working 20+ hours per week 31 days from the date of hire to enroll Coverage begins the first day of the pay period following 30 days of employment Pre-tax deduction option is available
Affects Social Security Taxable Wages Cannot include in itemized deductions on tax return Domestic Partner benefits are not eligible
Late enrollment not available Deductible is on a calendar year
(January – December)
Total Per Pay Period
Contribution
Employee Pay Period
Contribution
Employee Only $14.50 $5.80
Employee + Spouse $29.01 $11.61
Employee + Child $29.01 $11.61
Employee + Family $43.51 $17.40
Vision Insurance Vendor - Vision Service Plan (VSP) Regular employees working 20+ hours per week 31 days from the date of hire to enroll Coverage begins the first day of the pay period following 30 days of employment Pre-tax deduction option is available
Affects Social Security Taxable Wages Cannot include in itemized deductions on tax return Domestic Partner benefits are not eligible
Late enrollment is available – restrictions apply Coverage is effective the first of the
month after 30 days of employment
Employee Pay Period Contribution
Employee Only $2.81
Employee + Spouse $5.93
Employee + Child(ren) $6.34
Employee + Family $10.13
Benefit Providers• BCBSNM
– 877-994-2583– www.bcbsnm.com
• Presbyterian– 888-275-7737– www.phs.org
• Lovelace– 877-232-1988– www.lovelacehealthplan.com
• Medco- 800-743-1720- www.medco.com
• Delta Dental of NM– 877-395-9420– www.deltadentalnm.com
• Vision Service Plan (VSP)– 800-877-7195– www.vsp.com
Long Term Disability (LTD)Insured by Dearborn NationalRegular employees working 20+ hours are eligible31 days from the date of hire to enrollCoverage begins 1st day of pay period following 30
days of employment Late enrollment available – health statement required135 day waiting period in event of disabilityPays 60% of monthly salary to a maximum of $5,000
a monthBenefit Calculator
Critical IllnessAFLAC
Available to regular employees working 20 hrs per week or more.
Coverage begins the first of the pay period following a 30-day waiting period.
Pays a lump sum cash benefit for covered critical illnesses Employee Coverage is either $10,000 or $20,000.
Spouse/Domestic Partner Coverage is 50% of employee coverage, either $5,000 or $10,000.
Eligible Dependent Child Coverage is 25% of the Employee Coverage at no additional cost.
Premium rates based on age and tobacco use.
Group Life InsuranceInsured with Dearborn NationalEmployees working 20+ hours per week are eligible2 times the annual salary with a maximum of $75,00031 days from the date of hire to enroll Late enrollment available – health statement requiredBeneficiary - NM is a community property statePotential Retiree Benefit – details on later slide
Supplemental Life Insurance Insured with MetLife Regular employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible Enroll 31 days from the date of hire The lesser of 3 times annual salary or $100,000 guaranteed with
no medical review for employee The lesser of the employee elected amount or $50,000 guaranteed
with no medical review for spouse/domestic partner Child coverage available Employee pays full cost Age based - rates increase in birthday month for employee and
spouse rates Late enrollment available – health statement required
Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
Provided by National Union Fire Life Insurance Co.
Regular employees working 20+ hours per weekActs of war and terrorism are not coveredMay enroll at any timeAmounts elected over $100,000 cannot exceed 10
times the employee base annual salary
Flexible Spending Account• Enrollment upon hire, at open enrollment in November/December, or with
qualifying event• Health Care FSA
– Eligible expenses include medical, dental, vision and prescription (some OTC included)
– Can elect up to $5,000 per plan year– Can file a claim up to the elected amount without money being in the account
at the time of filing the claim– Any unclaimed amounts are forfeited
• Dependent Care FSA– Eligible expenses include childcare payments, camps– Can elect up to $5,000 per plan year or $2,500 if filing joint tax returns– Money must be in the account to file a claim– Any unclaimed amounts are forfeited
NM Educational Retirement BoardDefined benefits programEmployees working more than .25 FTE (10
hours per week) are required to contributeContributions:
Employee earning $20K or lessEmployee contributes 7.9% (pre-tax)University contributes 12.4%
Employee earning more than $20K Employee contributes 9.4% (pre-tax)University contributes 10.9%
NM Educational Retirement Board(continued)
Retirement calculation uses the average salary of the last 5 years worked OR the average of the highest 5 consecutive years of salary.
Calculation: final average salary X number of years service credit X .0235
May retire if one of the following is met: 1) age 67 w/5 years of service; 2) age + years of service equal 80; or 3) any age with 30 years of service
*Persons who became members before July 1, 2010 shall be eligible for retirement: (1) at any age with 25 years of service; (2) at age 65 with five or more years of service credit; or (3) when the sum of the member’s age and years of service credit equals at least 75.http://www.nmerb.org
NM Alternative Retirement Plan Defined contribution plan Available only to select faculty, administrators, and some
coaching staff Employee contributes 9.4%; University contributes 7.9% Benefit Services department notifies eligible employees Eligible employees have 90 days from date of hire to exercise
this option After seven years of contributions – one-time opportunity to
switch to ERB. Upon leaving the university, ARP members can rollover, cash
out or annuitize the funds for disbursement.
NMSU Retirement Benefits• Retiree Health
– Requires 10 consecutive years of health coverage as an employee immediately prior to retirement
• Retiree Life (Group life policy)– Can continue a basic $10,000 policy through NMSU at reduced
rate• Additional Benefits
– Discounts– Free classes– Library Access– ID Card– http://hr.nmsu.edu/benefits-hr/retiring-and-retired-employees/benefits-
for-retired-employees/
Tax Sheltered Annuities & 457 PlansAll employees may participateAllows employees to voluntarily set aside additional
funds for retirementContributions are on a pre-tax basisAnnual limits are set by the IRSCatch up options available – see carriersList of vendors available at http://hr.nmsu.edu/benefits-
hr/financial-security-benefits/retirement-savings-plans/
Tuition Remission Benefits Employees working 20+ hours per week may take 6 credit hours
per semester & 8 credits over the summer without a tuition charge
Available through Banner Self-Service 10 calendar days prior to start of classes. Must be registered for class(es).
Available to the spouse or domestic partner* if the employee does not use all the credit hours
Deadlines for submission: Summer – August 1 Fall – November 1 Spring – April 1
Courses may be subject to taxation. Domestic Partnership paperwork must be on file in Benefit Services for use of
this benefit
Reduced Tuition for Dependent ChildrenFor dependent children under age 25 (undergraduate courses only) 50% tuition discount for both full-time and part-time students. Employee must submit a request for tuition waiver for each semester
in which the dependent will be using the Reduced Tuition Program Available through Banner Self-Service 10 calendar days prior to
start of classes. Deadlines for submission:
Summer – August 1 Fall – November 1 Spring – April 1 Student’s status and the employee’s employment status on the
NMSU Census Date (third Friday of the semester or last day to add or register for summer session courses) will determine eligibility.
Students awarded the Lottery Scholarship will not be eligible for this benefit.
AggieFit Includes Activity Center & Natatorium
Employee Assistance Program Counseling available
Campus Health Center Employees and their dependents enrolled in an NMSU health insurance
plan may use the Campus Health Center. $5 per visit for those enrolled on NMSU medical, $35 for employees
not enrolled (does not get billed to your insurance plan).Employees are not required to use annual or sick leave for their office
visits but must use leave for dependent’s appointment
Wellness
Workers’ Compensation InsuranceAll employees are covered for on-the-job accident
and occupational diseasesBenefits include all medical, surgical, drug expenses
and 66 2/3 of the weekly salary after a 7-day waiting period
On-the-job accidents and injuries must be reported to the supervisor immediately
Report forms are available on the NMSU websiteAll forms must be completed and turned in to the
David Carbajal at the Campus Health Center within 24 hours
Additional BenefitsDiscount Season Tickets
for Athletic EventsTennis CenterDiscount Golf Course
MembershipSmartSavings Online
Discount Mall
Discounts – GM, Verizon, Dell
Health Promotion Programs
Savings Bonds
Photo Identification Cards• All employees are required to have an NMSU
Identification Card– Aggie ID number
• ID photographs are taken at Corbett Center ID Services (located across from Taos)
• The ID Card can be used as a Campus Money Card for purchasing food items on campus
• Phone Number: 676-646-4835
University Communications
• Employees may sign up for the following university-wide communication list at
• http://www.nmsu.edu/Administration/abcd.html• In addition, employees will automatically
receive NMSU Hotline communications.• Visit http://newscenter.nmsu.edu/ for NMSU
headlines and news.
Training Opportunities
• Hazcom (mandatory within 60 days)• Banner• Basic Computing• Canvas• http://training.nmsu.edu
For Additional Informationhttp://hr.nmsu.edu/benefits-hr/
Please contact the Benefit Services Department
HR Service Center646-8000
[email protected] Employment, Payroll and Benefits Questions
Recommended