Classified employees and some faculty members participate in Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) of Nevada. Classified employees must be employed at 50% or greater FTE to participate in this plan.

PERS of Nevada is a tax-qualified defined benefit plan created by the Legislature as an independent public agency to provide a reasonable base income to qualified employees who have been employed by a public employer and whose earning capacity has been removed or has been substantially reduced by age or disability. It was also created to make government employment attractive to qualified employees and to encourage them to remain in government service for such periods of time as to give employers and the people of the state the full benefit of the training and experience gained by the employees while employed in public service.

Employees have the option to contribute under one of two contribution options: 

1. Employee/Employer Contributions (EEC)

   • The employee and the employer each make a contribution to PERS. The contribution made by you is on an after-tax basis. The employee contribution to PERS under this plan is 17.5% and the employer contribution is 17.5%.

   • If you terminate during the first five years of your employment and you take a refund of employee contributions, upon termination, it will close your account with PERS and result in no future entitlement to a PERS benefit.

   • You may switch to Employer Paid Contribution (EPC) at any time, but you may only make this election once.

   • Employee contributions remaining in your PERS account at your retirement will result in your part of your income being non-taxable.

2. Employer Paid Contributions (EPC)

   • Under this pre-tax plan, the employer pays the total PERS contribution on your behalf at a rate of 33.50% for regular members. You pay for your half of the PERS contribution through a salary reduction. 

   • Your salary is multiplied by a factor to determine your reduced pay rate and reflects the contributions made by the employer to PERS.  The current EPC factor is 0.856530% for Regular members.

   • Employees may voluntarily choose to participate under the Employer Paid Contribution (EPC) plan at any time.

   • Once you select the Employer Paid Contribution (EPC) plan, you cannot switch back to the Employee/Employer Contribution (EEC) paid plan.

   • Contributions made by the employer under Employer Paid Contribution (EPC) retirement are not available for refund to you should you terminate your employment.

   • The employer-paid option provides you with more take-home pay than the employee/employer option because of the tax treatment under each option.

Health insurance is provided for the employee through the State of Nevada Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP). For new employees, coverage begins on the first day of the first full month of employment.

 The plans offered are Self-Funded Plan with Preferred Provider Options (PPO), Low Deductible (LD-PPO) or Exclusive Premier Plan (EPO). The plan includes medical, dental, vision, and $25,000 term life insurance. Spouse/Domestic partner and dependent coverage is also available; dependent coverage is paid 100% by employee.

For additional information and for a complete overview of the health insurance benefits that are provided, member services, or to locate a provider in the area, visit the Public Employee Benefits Program website.

** Enrollment into your Health Insurance Plan should occur within 15 days of your employment contract start date or no later than the last day of the month that your coverage is scheduled to become effective. Failure to complete enrollment to elect or decline coverage within the specified timeframe will result in coverage being defaulted to the Employee Only tier with the Consumer Driven Health Plan and a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)

Coverage highlights

• Services covered under all plan options are the same. One plan is not better than the other; the plan options vary in the way that you will pay for qualified medical expenses.

• All plans have a preferred provider Network; The EPO and HMO insurance plans require preferred providers for all medical expenses.

• All plans have the same dental plan administered through Diversified Dental Services. Dental coverage is part of the comprehensive medical package and requires enrollment into one of the medical insurance plans.

• All plans offer a term life insurance policy as part of the comprehensive medical package and require enrollment into one of the medical insurance plans. The provider for the term life insurance policy is United Healthcare and requires that you designate your beneficiaries for this term life insurance policy. You may designate your term life insurance beneficiaries by logging onto the PEBP Enrollment Portal.

• Monthly premiums will be paid through payroll deduction. Your monthly premium will depend on the plan and coverage level that you choose. Monthly Premium Rates can be found on the Open Enrollment page.

Enrollment into this plan is available during the initial hire, during the annual Open Enrollment Event, or if there is a mid-year qualifying event.

The Section 125 -Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-free account that allows you to set aside tax-free money for your routine health care and dependent daycare expenses. Employees may enroll as new hires or once a year during open enrollment in May. Employees may contribute up to $3,050 for medical FSA and up to $5,000 for dependent care per plan year (July 1 – June 30). Any contribution amounts that are not used by the end of the plan year are forfeited to the NSHE plan as required by IRS regulations.

FSA Plan Options

Standard FSA: For EPO / HMO / PPO with H.R.A. Participants only.  This plan allows EPO, HMO, or PPO-HRA participants to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible medical expenses for self and tax dependents that are not covered under your health insurance plan. Eligible expenses include co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, physician office visits, most prescriptions, glasses, contacts, and dental visits.

Limited FSA

For PPO – Health Savings Account (HSA) Participants ONLY; allows PPO-HSA participants to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible vision and dental expenses. All other medical expenses are eligible for payment through the HSA.

Dependent Care FSA

For any active employee who has a tax-dependent child under the age of 13, a parent or other elderly dependent, or a spouse who is mentally or physically incapable of caring for him or herself; allows participants to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible expenses, such as licensed nursery school, daycare center, care inside your home and eldercare.

Please visit the  ASI Flex webpage for more information.

The Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-exempt medical savings account for employees enrolled in a high deductible (CDHD PPO) health plan that is administered by HSA Bank. HSA funds can be used for qualified health care expenses like doctor visits, lab and diagnostic tests, dental procedures, vision exams and much more. If you are enrolled in the CDHP plan offered by PEBP, you may receive an employer sponsored contribution to your HSA account in July, dependent of PEBP Board and Legislature approval. Participants enrolled in the HSA account may also make additional contributions to the account not to exceed the limit set by the IRS each tax year.  Your pre-tax contributions can be started, stopped, or changed at any time. Please visit PEBP Website for more information. 

NSHE offers several voluntary benefits options to its employees. Many of the optional plans are available through payroll deduction, and enrollment can be completed through the Benefits Worklet on your Workday desktop:

1. Log into Workday  

2. Go to the Benefits Worklet  

3. Choose the Tab in the Change Column titled: Benefits  

4. Choose the Button under Benefit Event Type titled: Voluntary Benefit Plans  

5. Enter the current date  

6. Submit  

7. Go to Workday Inbox to complete elections 

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Voluntary Accident Insurance: Metlife

Metlife offers Accident Insurance to help out with sudden and often costly accidents. Even with health insurance, employees still would be responsible for copayments, coinsurance, and living expenses. The impact of a sudden accident can have dire financial consequences. With Accident Insurance, employees receive a lump sum payment for covered events related to an accident that can help cover those costs. Regardless of insurance coverage, Metlife pays the benefit amount directly to employees. For more information on Metlife Voluntary Products, visit the Metlife website. To enroll in a Metlife voluntary product, navigate to the Workday page and click on the Benefits worklet. Navigate to the Benefits tab in the change column to enroll in Voluntary Benefit Plans.

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Voluntary Cancer Care Insurance: American Fidelity

NSHE offers two cancer insurance plans for employees through American Fidelity Cancer Insurance. Plans are available to employees under age 65 who have not previously been diagnosed as having cancer. Both plans will provide coverage for the actual charges incurred by a covered person for the treatment of cancer, leukemia, or Hodgkin's disease. Employee and family plans are available. For more information, you may visit the American Fidelity Cancer Insurance website.

For enrollment, navigate to the Workday page and click on the Benefits worklet. Navigate to the Benefits tab in the change column to enroll in Voluntary Benefit Plans.

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Voluntary Legal Plan: Metlaw (Hyatt Legal)

Whether you are buying a new home, drawing up a will or just need some legal advice, MetLaw can give you easy access to experienced, participating attorneys, plus you will receive a wide range of covered legal services for a low monthly fee. You may enroll in this plan as a new hire within 60 days of your start date or once a year during open enrollment in May. You will be required to remain in the plan for the remainder of the plan year (plan year for MetLaw runs July 1 through June 30 of each year). For more information, please visit Hyatt Legal Website (a MetLife Company). Choose the "Learn About your Legal Plan" link and use password METLAW for access.

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Voluntary Short-Term Disability Insurance: American Fidelity

Disability Income Insurance pays a monthly benefit up to 60% of your salary if you become disabled on a short-term basis. Benefits begin on the 15th day of disability and pay up to 180 days or to age 70, whichever occurs first. Your coverage will take effect on the requested effective date following the date your application is approved, provided you are actively employed and premium is paid. If you are not enrolled in PEBP medical insurance, this is the only Short-Term Disability policy that you are eligible to enroll. For more information, you may visit the American Fidelity Benefits website.

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Voluntary Term Life Insurance: Western Insurance

Western Insurance offers supplemental life insurance coverage underwritten by Sun Life Financial Inc. (rated A++ Superior). New employees will be provided up to $300,000 “guaranteed issue” coverage, limited to four times salary. The first $150,000 is a “guaranteed issue” regardless of salary for the eligible employee and $50,000 “guaranteed issue” coverage for the spouse/domestic partner. The “guaranteed issue” means that an applicant does not have to submit evidence of insurability (health-based questions), provided the employee applies during the first 60 days of the date of hire/eligibility. Current employees are eligible for up to $500,000 coverage for employees and $250,000 for the spouse/domestic partner, subject to evidence of insurability. For more information and to apply, please visit the Western Insurance website or call (775) 826-2333.

Note: Term Life Insurance-Standard Insurance (comprehensive medical package) - If you participate in the State of Nevada PEBP sponsored medical plan, part of the comprehensive medical package is a basic term life insurance policy in the amount of $25,000. Your monthly health insurance premium includes this term life insurance policy coverage. Your health insurance premium will be deducted from your NSHE pay advice each month. This term life insurance coverage helps protect your loved ones in the event of your death. See the Standard Life Insurance Certificate for more detailed information about this coverage.

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Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Policy: Western Insurance

Employees enrolled in the Western Term Life Insurance Policy are eligible to add on additional AD&D coverage. In addition to the accidental death coverage, the policy also includes coverage for accidental dismemberment and pays a schedule of benefits that involve loss of hearing, loss of sight, paralysis, bereavement counseling, and rehabilitative training. For more information and to apply, please visit the Western Insurance website or call (775) 826-2333.

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Voluntary Critical Illness Insurance: MetLife

Serious illnesses can be costly. Critical Illness Insurance provides you with a lump sum payment to use as you see fit, such as to help your finances while you recover. While most medical plans provide coverage for hospital and medical expenses, they don’t typically cover costs like daily living expenses, childcare, or copays. A critical illness insurance policy can help with unexpected expenses. For more information, please visit MetLife or Call (800)-438-6388

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Voluntary Hospital Indemnity Insurance: MetLife

Hospital stays can set you back financially, even with health insurance. Hospital Indemnity Insurance can help. With MetLife, you’ll have a choice of two comprehensive plans which provide payments in addition to any other insurance payments you may receive. please visit MetLife or Call (800)-438-6388

Participants in the State of Nevada PEBP sponsored medical plan have several voluntary benefit options. PEBP voluntary benefits are administered through Corestream, a 3rd party provider for consolidated payroll deduction billing and voluntary benefit brokerage services. Members administer voluntary benefit elections through the E-PEBP portal. Additional information about PEBP Voluntary Benefits can be found on the  PEBP website.

Have questions or want to learn more about your voluntary benefits?

Call Corestream Customer Care at 1-775-249-0716
Email Corestream at pebpcustomercare@corestream.com

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Voluntary Legal Insurance: LegalEASE

LegalEase can assist with legal matters such as: estate planning, family law, traffic offenses, juvenile matters, immigration assistance, and child custody cases. Legal Services can help you find the extra guidance you need, when you need it. For more information, visit the LegalEASE website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Short-Term Disability: Standard Insurance

If you participate in the State of Nevada PEBP sponsored medical plan, PEBP provides you with the opportunity to purchase voluntary short-term disability insurance. This policy is designed to pay a benefit to you if you are unable to work because of a covered illness, injury, or pregnancy. This benefit replaces up to 60% of your weekly earnings to help meet financial commitments in a time of need. For more information about this policy and enrollment instructions, please visit the PEBP Standard Website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Long-Term Disability: Standard Insurance

While health insurance pays your doctor, disability insurance pays you — directly. Group Long Term Disability insurance pays a monthly benefit if you experience a disability that lasts for several months or years and meet the plan requirements. Help replace a portion of your income when you’re unable to work so you can focus on recovering. For more information about this policy and enrollment instructions, please visit the PEBP Standard Website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Term Life Insurance: Standard Insurance

If you participate in the State of Nevada PEBP sponsored medical plan, PEBP provides you with the opportunity to purchase voluntary LIFE, AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance policies at group rates from The Standard. This policy includes additional services including Beneficiary Financial Counseling, Travel Assistance, and more. For more information about this policy and enrollment instructions, see the PEBP Standard Website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Vision Care: VSP

Nevada Public Employees’ Benefits Program and VSP provide you with a choice of affordable vision plans. Choose the eye care essentials, or upgrade to the Premier Program and give your eyes extra love. Enroll in VSP Vision Care to get personalized care from a VSP network doctor at low out-of-pocket costs. Save on eyewear and eye care when you see a VSP network doctor. Plus, take advantage of Exclusive Member Extras for additional savings. With an average of five VSP network doctors within six miles of you, it’s easy to find a nearby in-network doctor. Plus, maximize your coverage with bonus offers and additional savings that are exclusive to Premier Program locations. For more information visit the VSP Vision Care Website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Accident Insurance: The Standard

 Accident Insurance will pay a benefit directly to you if you have a covered accident. Use this money however you need it most — whether that's to help with your deductible, copay, other medical bills or everyday expenses. It pays you regardless of other coverage, so you choose how to spend it. For more information, please visit The PEBP Standard website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Critical Illness: The Standard

With Critical Illness insurance, you'll get a check paid directly to you if you're diagnosed with a covered illness — for the amount stated in your plan. And you'll receive that benefit regardless of treatment costs, or what your medical insurance covers. For more information, please visit The PEBP Standard website or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Voluntary Hospital Indemnity: The Standard

Planned or unplanned, a trip to the hospital can be scary. Even when you have medical insurance, the expenses can add up. Hospital Indemnity insurance can help. It pays you a fixed benefit for every day you’re in the hospital, up to a plan maximum — regardless of your other coverage, and the benefit payment goes directly to you. For more information, please visit The Standard or call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Auto and Homeowners Insurance: Liberty Mutual

Start saving on your Auto and Home Insurance by choosing from three of the nation’s top providers, offering plans that fit your lifestyle with special group discounts. A variety of insurance policies are available through the program including auto, home, landlord’s rental dwelling, condo, mobile home, renter’s, recreational vehicle, boat, personal excess liability (“umbrella”), and fire. For more information call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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Pet Insurance: Nationwide

Protect your pet and your wallet with exceptional savings on veterinary bills. You’ll find coverage for your furry, feathery and scaly friends that fits your needs and your budget. Your pet insurance rate is case by case, so underwriting will depend upon animal, breed, age, etc. After enrolling in the benefit coverage, you will be able to see the premium cost. For more information call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream).

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ID Theft: id Watchdog (Equifax)

ID Watchdog monitors your credit and billions of data points and alerts you to potentially suspicious activity. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from fully managed resolution services. For more information call 1-775-249-0716 (Corestream). 

In addition to the mandatory retirement, two Voluntary Retirement Plans are available. Each plan has a basic annual contribution limit. All voluntary retirement contributions are made through payroll deductions.

Additional information can be found on the Business Center North Benefits website and the NSHE Retirement Plan Administration website. 

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Voluntary Supplimental 403(b): TIAA

One of the benefits available to you through the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is the ability to voluntarily save for retirement on a before-tax basis through a Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA), which is also called a 403(b) plan.

A contribution to a TSA plan is an excellent way to supplement your retirement savings. Contributions are deducted from your salary automatically, either on a pre-tax basis or an after-tax (Roth) basis. If you choose a pre-tax deduction, your current taxable income is lowered by the amount of your deferral, and you will pay income tax on your withdrawals at retirement. If you choose the after-tax (or Roth) deduction, then as long as you are age 62 and your account has been active for five years or more when you access the funds, your withdrawals may be tax-free.

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) allowed for annual increases in the amount you may tax-defer for retirement. For tax year 2024, most individuals will be able to defer up to $23,000 in a tax-sheltered annuity plan. And if you are age 50 or older, you may be able to contribute an additional $7,500.

NSHE's Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) Plan is Provided by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA). 

Voluntary Nevada Deferred Compensation 457(b): Voya Financial

The Nevada Deferred Compensation Program (NDC) is a voluntary retirement savings program for employees of the State of Nevada, NSHE and other local government employers. The program is designed to supplement your other retirement savings and pensions. Contributions are made pre-tax and investment earnings are tax-deferred or you may invest on post-tax (Roth) basis and your investment earnings will be tax free upon eligible withdrawal. Both types of deductions are made through payroll. Effective January 1, 2015, VOYA Financial (formerly ING) became a sole record-keeper for this plan.

Grant in Aid

This classified employee benefit covers a maximum of six credits per semester at any NSHE institution. A maximum of four credits per semester can be taken as job required. The remaining two credits or all six credits may be taken as job related or career/personal development courses. Reimbursement will be made after the courses are successfully completed with a grade of "C" or above (or "pass" in the case of pass/fail courses). Courses taken for audit are not eligible for tuition reimbursement. If the employee does not pass the class with a "C" or above, he/she will be responsible for all costs associated with the class. Classified employees must be .50 FTE or more and have been employed as a classified staff member at least six months before the start of the semester. Information is available by reviewing Policy Number 4-3-8. 

The Classified Family Grant-in-Aid program provides education benefits for the eligible spouses, domestic partners, and dependents of classified employees. The benefit covers an unlimited number of credits at Western Nevada College. Classes must be for-credit and included in the weighted student credit hour calculation. Information is available by reviewing Policy Number 4-3-9. 

Employees request Grant-in-Aid through Workday. Please see the NSHE Grant-in-Aid Job Aid for instructions [Workday login required].

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Professional Development Funds - College Staff Development Program

Additional funding may be awarded to employees on an annual basis for professional development activities that enable employees to develop their skills and training for the benefit of the college community. Funds are awarded by the College Staff Development Committee and applicants are required to apply for funding. More information can be found on the WNC Budget Committee webpage. 

Classified employees accrue 10 hours of sick leave per month which may be used for qualifying events as soon as it is accrued.

Leave is prorated for less than full time FTE.

Classified employees accrue 10 hours of annual leave per month. Accrued annual leave may be used after six (6) months of employment. After 10 years of continuous service, an employee will earn up to a maximum of 12 hours per month. After 15 years of continuous services, an employee will earn up to a maximum of 14 hours per month. An employee can carry up to a maximum of 240 hours into each new calendar year. Leave is prorated for less than full time FTE.

The Nevada Legislature sets up the holiday schedule. The following are legal holidays:

• New Year’s Day

• Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day

• President’s Day

• Memorial Day

• Juneteenth Day

• Independence Day

• Labor Day

• Nevada Day

• Veterans' Day

• Thanksgiving Day and Family Day

• Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday.

WNC employees are offered an employee assistance program. The program is strictly voluntary and confidential, and can help you or any member of your immediate family with confidential assessment, problem identification, personal and work-related issues. EAP is accessible by telephone twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, brochures are available in the WNC Human Resources Office or visit their website GuidanceResources Online and enter our “Organization Web ID”: WNCEAP to find out how ComPsych can help.

Workers’ compensation is paid 100% by the employer. It covers employees in the event of work-related injuries. It is important to know the procedures to follow to make sure claims are processed appropriately and in a timely manner.

Employee pays 1.45% matched 100% by the employer. No contribution is made to Social Security.

Residents of Nevada pay no state income tax. 

The fitness center is located in the Dini Building and available for employee use at no cost.

Our partnership with Greater Nevada Credit Union (GNCU) gets WNC employees' access to GNCU's Financial Wellness Center which includes financial wellness webinars, knowledge, and resources. WNC employees can also participate in their Community Heroes and Perks programs which include cash bonuses and credits.

The Classified Employee Handbook provides a ready reference to the terms and conditions of your employment with the State of Nevada.