Retirement and Health Benefits for Intermittent Staff

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. The NORC, Inc. Retirement plan is a defined contribution retirement plan in which NORC may make a discretionary contribution on behalf of employees who have satisfied the eligibility requirements to participate in the plan and have met the service requirements in a particular year. No employee contributions are required in order to qualify for a contribution from NORC. Contributions are immediately vested (fully owned by the employee) and are deposited into an individual retirement annuity account administered by TIAA-CREF. You control how the money is invested.

The NORC, Inc. Supplemental Retirement Plan allows employees to make voluntary, pre-tax contributions immediately upon hire, up to the IRS limit, and is also administered by TIAA-CREF. Contribution limits may be higher for individuals over age 50. See the 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) telephone 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 from the Human Resources department.

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’s 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.