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Section IV, Page 1 of 3 SECTION IV – INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS HEALTH/DENTAL INSURANCE POLICY: To provide health and dental insurance to those employees who qualify for coverage. A. Procedure Douglas County’s health and dental insurance programs are administered through the Human Resources Department. All employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for health and dental insurance, if they elect to participate. Levels of benefits provided, employee participation, and employee contribution rates are determined by Douglas County and applicable state and federal regulations. For details regarding coverage and premium contributions, please contact the Human Resources Department. B. Insurance Continuation 1. COBRA Health/dental insurance coverage shall end upon termination on the last day of the calendar month in which the individual is employed. Under state law and the Federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) and subsequent amendments to the Act, employees covered under an employer’s group health care plan are eligible for continuation of health care coverage under the group plan upon the employee’s termination (except for gross misconduct) or reduction in hours. COBRA regulations also allow the employee’s spouse and covered dependents to elect continuation of coverage upon the employee’s death, divorce or legal separation, entitlement to Medicare, or a dependent’s loss of dependent status under family coverage. 2. Retirement Retiring employees who receive benefits under the Wisconsin Retirement System, have the option of continuing health insurance coverage until age 65 or Medicare eligible, whichever comes first, by paying 100% of the premium costs. The retired employee must pay Douglas County on or before the 15th of the month for the succeeding month’s health insurance to retain eligibility to participate in the county’s health insurance plan. Health insurance coverage shall end on the last day of the calendar month in which the retiree becomes age 65 or Medicare eligible. Passed by County Board, Resolution#4-12; January 19, 2012 ---PAGE BREAK--- Section IV, Page 2 of 3 OTHER INSURANCE/BENEFIT PLANS POLICY: To provide other insurance and benefit plans to employees. Description The following insurance/benefit plans are currently available to eligible county employees and are subject to change or cancellation at any time. 1. Life insurance plans. 2. Supplemental insurance plan. 3. Deferred compensation plans. 4. Pre-tax (flexible benefit) plan. 5. Short-term disability plan. 6. Long-term disability plan. 7. Employee Assistance Program. For details regarding the above plans and enrollment information, contact the Human Resources Department. Passed by County Board, Resolution#4-12; January 19, 2012 ---PAGE BREAK--- Section IV, Page 3 of 3 RETIREMENT POLICY: To provide retirement contributions to eligible employees in accordance with state laws and to identify benefits available to eligible employees after retirement. A. Eligibility Regular full-time employees: Are considered immediately eligible for participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Part-time employees: Initially employed by a WRS employer on or after July 1, 2011, who are expected to be employed at least one year from date of hire, defined as 365 consecutive days or 366 in leap year, and who are expected to work at least two-thirds of full-time, defined as 1200 hours, are eligible for participation in WRS. Employees who previously worked for a WRS-participating employer, must be evaluated under the old eligibility requirements of expected to work at least one-third of full time, defined as 600 hours, for a period of at least 12 months, to qualify for participation in WRS. B. Contribution Douglas County shall pay in full the required employer contribution to the Wisconsin Retirement Fund for all employees. C. Retirement Health Savings Plan Douglas County sponsors a health benefits savings plan that allows employees to accumulate assets, on a tax-free basis, to pay for medical expenses upon retirement. Upon retirement under the WRS, as determined by WRS eligibility, or forced retirement due to disability or death of an employee, the employee or his estate shall have deposited on their behalf in the Retirement Health Savings Plan, the value (value to be determined by the number of hours times employee hourly rate) of the employee’s unused sick leave, not to exceed 120 days, with distribution to be according to IRS regulations. Passed by County Board, Resolution#4-12; January 19, 2012