Employee Benefits

BENEFITS BY BARGAINING UNIT

PAID LEAVE

Vacation leave, sick leave and holiday provisions are determined through collective bargaining for affiliated employees or the personnel policies for non-represented employees.  

CBA Page and Policies

ELIGIBILITY

Who is eligible for coverage under medical, dental and vision insurances:

• Employees working more than 40 hours per week can enroll in medical, dental and vision insurances.  
• Employees working more than 30 hours but less than 40 hours can also elect to enroll in the medical, dental and vision insurances (some premiums may be prorated or paid by the employee).
• Spouse (the person the employee is legally married to under state law including same-sex spouse).
• Domestic Partner: The employee’s same sex or opposite sex domestic partner and their children are eligible for coverage if the employee has completed a Domestic Partner Affidavit.   
• Children:
  • Under the age of 26 are eligible to enroll in coverage. They do not need to live with you or be enrolled in school. They can be married and/or living and working on their own.  
  • Over the age of 26 ONLY if they are incapacitated due to a disability and primarily dependent on you for support.  
  • Named in a Qualified Medical Child Support Order (QMCSO) as defined by federal law.

RETIREMENT - STATE PENSION

City employees who work in a position that lasts five or more months of 70 hours or more per month of compensated employment in a 12 month period are mandatory members of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. Commissioned law enforcement personnel and firefighters are members of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Firefighters’ Retirement (LEOFF) system, and all other employees are members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS).  By state law, employees and the City jointly contribute to the plans. For more information, visit Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).

RETIREMENT - 457 DEFERRED COMPENSATION

A 457 retirement savings plan makes it easy to build up tax-advantaged savings for the future. The money is automatically deducted from your paycheck and invested. The contributions are deducted pre-tax, lowering your taxable income. You can take penalty-free withdrawals from your account after you leave your position with the City. This is a voluntary program and employees can elect to defer up to $22,500 in 2023. Several of our bargaining units receive matching contributions to their deferred comp account, please review benefit summaries above for more information.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

For those employees in a benefit eligible position, the City offers an Employee Assistance Program at no cost to the employee or his/her dependent(s) or relatives living in the employee’s household. EAP services are designed to assist with personal and work related issues and concerns by providing confidential counseling services, including assessment, short term problem solving and referral options.    

VEBA (VOLUNTARY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TRUST)

For employees that enroll in the City’s high deductible medical plan, the City will contribute $1,500 or $3,000 depending on enrollment level to an employee’s VEBA account. Employees can use their VEBA funds for reimbursement of out-of-pocket eligible medical expenses. Account balances in the VEBA roll over from plan year to plan year. VEBA funds can be used to pay for medical premiums post-retirement.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS (FSA/DFSA)

Benefit eligible employees may elect to contribute to a voluntary Flexible Spending Account (FSA). A FSA allows an employee to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualifying medical, dental, or day care expenses. Employees may enroll in this program within the first 30 days of employment, or during the annual open enrollment period. Per IRS regulation, any funds not spent in the current calendar year, excluding approved rollovers, must be used or forfeited to the employer.  

FITNESS REIMBURSEMENT

For all benefit eligible employees, excluding Firefighters and Battalion Chiefs, the City will reimburse an employee up to $40 per month for a qualified individual fitness membership if the employee meets the usage guidelines. For more information see our Fitness Reimbursement Form.

NOTICES

Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA)