RETIREMENT BENEFITS: After 1,000 hours of service and attainment of age 21, you will become eligible to participate in the NORC, Inc. Retirement Plan. Once you are eligible, NORC will contribute 8.5% of your pension-eligible earnings for each calendar year in which you have 1,000 hours or more of paid service (pension hours). NORC contributions are immediately fully vested and are deposited into an individually-owned account administered by TIAA-CREF. You control how the money is invested. Pension hours are noted on your pay stub so you can see how many you have accumulated in a calendar year. You'll receive correspondence from TIAA-CREF and NORC when you receive your first NORC contribution.

You also may contribute toward your own retirement on a voluntary, pre-tax basis, up to $15,500 (in 2008), into the NORC, Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan, also administered by TIAA-CREF.  If you are over age 50, you can contribute even more. You may begin contributing toward your own retirement anytime by completing an enrollment form and Salary Reduction Agreement, available in Human Resources. See Summary Plan Description for details.

LIMITED HEALTH PLAN: NORC employees whose status is Intermittent or Temporary; and who are not participating in another limited medical or a major medical plan can purchase limited basic medical insurance coverage through OptiMed Health Plan, managed by United Group Programs, Inc. It is important to note that these plans offer limited basic healthcare benefits. Before making a purchase, eligible employees are encouraged to thoroughly review and understand what each plan does and does not cover. New Intermittent and Temporary employees have 30 days to enroll in the plan from their date of hire. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following OptiMed’s receipt of enrollment materials and payment of premium. Once an employee enrolled in a plan reaches 1,000 hours of total service, NORC will make a contribution to OptiMed equal to 20% of the monthly premium for employee only coverage for the option chosen.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): Provided by Magellan Health Services, the EAP program offers employees and their dependents, (including significant others and dependent children who live at home) private counseling on personal issues such as stress, domestic abuse, alcohol and drug dependency. They also offer referrals for services like child care, elder care, legal advice, and credit counseling. The plan is confidential and free of charge. Brochures describing the services offered are available in Human Resources.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION: NORC provides employees with a safe workplace and pays the premiums for state-funded insurance that provides income replacement to workers who suffer workplace illnesses and injuries. Employees are required to report any workplace injuries or illnesses immediately to Human Resources.

FICA TAXES: NORC pays the employer portion of taxes on the income that you earn.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE: NORC pays the insurance premiums for state-funded insurance benefits that employees may receive if unemployed and unable to find work.