Retirement 
Employees classified as faculty, administrators and professional staff whose position requires an earned baccalaureate degree or higher degree may choose to participate in either the Maryland State Retirement/Pension System or Optional Retirement Plan. Employees classified as support staff must participate in the Maryland State Retirement/Pension System.

Maryland State Retirement/Pension System (MSRS)
Includes both the Teachers' and the Employees’ Retirement and Pension Systems. Retirement benefits are based on a combination of length of service and salary level and will be calculated at the time of retirement. Vesting occurs after the fifth year of membership; provision is made for disability retirement and for a death benefit equal to annual salary. A 5% employee contribution is required; employee premiums are immediately vested and accrue interest.

Optional Retirement Plan
A defined contribution plan with immediate vesting with one of two state approved carriers: TIAA-CREF or Fidelity. The State contributes the equivalent of 7.25% of your base salary to your account; you need not contribute any of your salary.

THE COLLEGE FINANCIALLY SUPPORTS, LIFE, LONG TERM DISABILITY, HEALTH, DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE; REFER TO A RATE SHEET FOR DETAILS.

Life Insurance  
Employees enrolled in the College's term life insurance program are insured for two times their annual salary. In addition, it is possible to purchase dependent coverage of $10,000 for a spouse and $5,000 for each dependent child for $.40 total per pay.

Disability Insurance 
The College carries long-term disability insurance which assures an income equal to 66 2/3% of regular monthly income to an employee who has been unable to work for six months.  Payment begins the seventh month of total disability. This benefit is provided to all employees at no cost.

Health Insurance 
Employees who elect health coverage may choose from one of two Carefirst BlueCross BlueShield products: either the BlueChoice Triple Option plan or the BlueChoice HMO plan. A third option for health coverage is through CIGNA: Open Access Plus-In Network plan. For all medical plans, prescription drug coverage is administered by Caremark, Inc.

Vision Insurance
Employees may elect vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) that allows in-network or out-of-network services for an eye exam and glasses/contacts once per year.

Dental Insurance 
Employees who elect dental coverage may choose from either the Cigna Dental PPO (Indemnity) or Cigna Dental Care (DMO) plans. The PPO plan allows employees to choose a dentist in-network or out-of-network while the DMO requires use of a participating dentist. 

Coverage for health, dental and vision insurance is effective the first of the month following date of hire when hired between the 1st and 15th and the first of the second month following date of hire when hired between the 16th and 31st. Coverage for life and long term disability insurance is effective immediately.

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