Full-time employees of Panola College are eligible for a wide range of benefits through the Employees System of Texas (ERS).
Medical
A comprehensive health insurance program (Health Select) is provided through ERS and administered by UnitedHealthCare. Full-time employees will receive this coverage free of charge. Those electing to enroll dependents will pay 50% of the premiums set by the State. There is a 60-day waiting period for this benefit. For more information, click on the links to ERS and UnitedHealthCare above.
The Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
Blue Cross Blue Shield HealthSelect of Texas
Dental
Dental insurance is available for full-time employees and begins on the first day of employment. Eligible employees may select from two dental plans: the State of Texas Dental Choice Plan or the Dental HMO both of which are administered by Delta Dental and DeltaCare USA respectively. The employee is responsible for 100% of the premiums and may also cover eligible dependents. For more information, click on the dental coverage plan links below.
State of Texas Dental Choice Plan administered by Delta Dental
Vision
Vision insurance is available for full-time employees and begins on the first day of employment. Eligible employees may select vision coverage which is administered by Superior Vision. The employee is responsible for 100% of the premiums and may also cover eligible dependents. For more information, click on the link State of Texas Vision above.
Basic Term Life Insurance
Full-time employees who sign up for health coverage receive basic term life insurance free of charge.
Optional Term Life Insurance
Full-time employees may sign up for optional term life insurance for one or two times their annual salary without proof of good health. For those selecting three or four times their annual salary, an evidence of insurability form must be completed and approved before these options are accepted.
Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment
Full-time employees may sign up for AD&D to add coverage for accidental death or certain accidental injuries. In the event you die as the direct result of an accidental Bodily Injury, your beneficiary will receive the amount of insurance you selected when you signed up for coverage. If you have an accident and experience one of the bodily losses below as a direct result of the accident, you will receive AD&D benefits:
- The loss of your hand by actual severance through or above the wrist.
- The loss of your foot by actual severance through or above the ankle joint.
- The loss of your sight in one eye resulting in total and permanent loss of vision that cannot be recovered by surgery or other means.
If one of the above bodily losses occurs, you will receive a benefit of one-half of the Voluntary AD&D benefit amount. If two or more above bodily losses occur at the same time, you will receive a benefit equal to the Voluntary AD&D benefit amount. Benefits are not paid if you independently lose one or more fingers, one or more toes, or incur a partial loss of sight.
Dependent Group Term Life Insurance
Dependent Term Life insurance provides life insurance coverage for each covered family member, and requires you to pay a monthly premium. An employee is eligible to sign up for a $5,000 policy for each covered family member.
Short-Term Disability
Long-Term Disability
Full-time employees may purchase both short-term and long-term disability at the time of employment or during a summer enrollment period by completing an evidence of insurability form and being accepted. Short-term Disability Insurance helps you pay your expenses for up to five months if you are unable to work because of a disability or injury. Long-term Disability Insurance helps you pay your expenses if you are unable to work because of a disability or injury.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Through the Employees Retirement System of Texas, full-time employees can participate in a Section 125 Flexible Health Care and Dependent Care program. Employees enroll into a pre-tax payroll deduction which funds a health care spending and/or dependent care spending account. Participating employees may use the tax-free money from these accounts to pay for eligible health expenses not reimbursed under the employee's medical and dental plans, or to pay for eligible child care expenses.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Panola College participates with Deer Oaks EAP Services to provide assistance and work/life programs for our employees.
Click DEER OAKS EAP SERVICES to go to their link.
Retirement
Panola College has contracted with TSA Consulting Group to serve as a third-party administrator to oversee ORP. For more information on approved vendors and other related information concerning ORP, visit TSA Consulting Group (Panola College).
All eligible employees of Panola College are enrolled in either the Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). TRS is a defined benefit plan the is administered by the State of Texas Teachers Retirement System. ORP is a defined contribution plan administered by vendors that have been approved by Panola College and it is legislated by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Before selecting a retirement plan, employees should review An Overview of ORP and TRS
Voluntary Tax Deferred Programs
Employees may elect to participate in a voluntary tax-deferred program by purchasing deferred annuity contracts or custodial accounts from a Panola College approved vendor. Such custodial accounts or annuity contracts are acquired under 16 Section 403(B) and 457(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees electing to contribute an amount to purchase a tax deferred annuity contract or custodial account will complete a salary reduction agreement.