Division of Management Services
	Cindy O'Donnell, Administrator • Biography
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State of Wisconsin Employee Benefits

The fringe benefits offered to State of Wisconsin employees are significant, and are a valuable part of an individual's compensation package. The fringe benefits may vary somewhat between employee groups based on occupational status (i.e., protective, executive, general, exempt/non-exempt), whether or not the employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement, and percentage of full-time employment. The available benefits include:

VACATION: Vacation is earned from the first day of employment, but cannot be used until the employee has worked in State Service for six months.
Vacation for most non-exempt/hourly employees is earned at the following rate:

During first 5 years - 104 hours
5 - 10 years - 144 hours
10 -15 years - 160 hours
15 - 20 years - 184 hours
20 - 25 years - 200 hours
25+ years - 216 hours

Most overtime exempt/salaried employees earn vacation at the following rate:

During first 5 years - 120 hours
5 - 10 years - 160 hours
10 -15 years - 176 hours
15 - 20 years - 200 hours
20+ years - 216 hours

Note: vacation hours are prorated for employees working less than full-time.

PERSONAL HOLIDAYS: Employees are granted 36 hours of personal holiday each year. Personal Holidays are prorated for employees working less than full time.

LEGAL HOLIDAYS: Employees have 9 legal holidays per year:

January 1 (New Years Day)
Third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
Last Monday of May (Memorial Day)
July 4 (Independence Day)
First Monday of September (Labor Day)
Fourth Thursday of November (Thanksgiving Day)
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
December 25 (Christmas Day)
December 31 (New Years Eve)

SICK LEAVE: Sick leave is earned at the rate of 5 hours per bi-weekly pay period for full-time employees. Unused sick leave accumulates from year to year. Upon retirement with at least 15 years of State service, the State matches a certain amount of the unused sick leave, and the entire balance is converted at the employee's hourly rate of pay at the time of retirement or the highest rate of pay received as a state employee to pay health insurance premiums.

RETIREMENT: Employees are covered immediately under the Wisconsin Retirement System. Vested employee-required contributions, approximately 5% of an employee's earnings, are made by the State on behalf of the employee. The State pays another 5-10%, depending upon the employee's occupational status, toward the non-vested employer-required contribution.

HEALTH INSURANCE: A variety of Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Plans, and fee-for-service health providers offer coverage. Employees may obtain coverage within one month of starting work, but the State contribution toward premiums is not effective until after 2 full calendar months of State employment under the Wisconsin Retirement System.

LIFE INSURANCE: After 6 months of coverage under the Wisconsin Retirement System, an employee may have group term life insurance coverage in an amount up to 5 times his or her annual salary. The State contributes approximately 49% of the premium toward 2 of the 5 levels of coverage; however, the premiums for the remaining 3 levels of coverage are paid totally by the employee. Employees may also secure coverage for their spouse (up to $20,000) and dependents (up to $10,000) each.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT INSURANCE. Offers coverage options of 3 or 5 times an employee's salary. Some family coverage is also available. Employees are responsible for the entire premium.

INCOME CONTINUATION INSURANCE: After 6 months of coverage in the Wisconsin Retirement System, employees are eligible for income continuation insurance. This benefit ensures that individuals will receive up to 75% of their gross salary while unable to work due to a physical or mental disability. State contribution is contingent upon an employee's accrual and use of sick leave.

CATASTROPHIC INSURANCE: Major medical, accidental death and dismemberment, and dental coverage are features of this insurance. Employees are responsible for the entire premium.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Some dental coverage is included in many of the group health insurance plans. Separate dental coverage is available.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE: This insurance covers short-term home health care, assisted living, community-based care, and nursing home care. The plan is available only to State employees, annuitants and their family members, including their spouse, parents, and spouse's parents. Employees pay the full premium.

EMPLOYEE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS PROGRAM: The Employee Reimbursement Accounts Program allows employees to pay eligible medical and dependent care expenses from pre-tax, rather than post-tax income. In addition, premiums for State group health, catastrophic, life, and dental insurance (excluding spouse and dependent life insurance coverage) may be treated as pre-tax deductions.

COMMUTER BENEFITS PROGRAM: The commuter Benefits Program allows employees to save money on their commuting costs by using pre-tax dollars to pay for bus passes, parking expenses, and other mass transit costs.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The Deferred Compensation Program allows employees to invest pre-tax earnings in any of the investment options offered by the program. The maximum deferral you can make in this program is 100% of taxable income up to $16,500 in 2009, and participants over age 50 may also contribute and additional $5,500.

WORKERS COMPENSATION: All employees are covered by the State of Wisconsin Worker's Compensation Law the day they start employment. The law covers both mental and physical harm from either accidents or occupational diseases.

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