Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) Planning Seminars
If you are a member of a Washington State Retirement System (PERS, TRS) and within five years of retirement, review the seminar information and register online! Any seminars that are held at Lower Columbia College will be listed on the Public Web Calendar under the Red Devil Wellbeing filter.
- See also: Retirement Planning Resources
Employee Assistance
The Employee Assistance Program offers a variety of great benefits to full-time LCC employees, their spouse, dependents, and household members.
Health & Dental Insurance
The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) provides medical and dental plans which are administered by the Health Care Authority. Check out the medical and dental resources below:
- Contact your provider
- Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Assistance Program
- Medical benefits comparison
- PEBB Employee Health Plans & Medicare
- Earn $125 towards medical expenses through SmartHealth or see SmartHealth Wellness Incentive.
Life Insurance
Lower Columbia College provides $25,000 Basic Life Insurance for an active employee who dies from any cause and $5,000 Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment at no cost to each employee eligible for benefits.
Additional supplemental life insurance is available with premiums paid by you. You may choose varying amounts to cover you and your dependents.
Long-Term Care Insurance Program – WA Cares Fund
Please visit the WA Cares website to learn more about this program. We will keep you posted as more information is shared with us.
- Employees considering opting-out and purchasing private long-term care insurance can find a list of insurance companies approved to sell in Washington state, along with other resources, on the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Long-term care insurance website.
- Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Act
Long Term Disability Insurance
Basic long-term disability is provided at no cost to you. Additional coverage, to insure 60 percent of your salary, is available. Premiums are paid by you. This coverage pays replacement income if you are disabled and cannot work.
Retirement
Department of Retirement Systems (DRS)
The Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems is a mandatory retirement plan for all non-academic college employees. Participation begins immediately upon employment.
TIAA-CREF
The State Board Retirement Plan is administered by the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (TIAA) and the College Retirement Equities Fund (CREF) for academic and exempt college employees. Participation begins immediately upon employment.
Supplemental Retirement Plans
Deferred Compensation through DRS and the Voluntary Investment Plan through the State Board are supplemental retirement plans that offer you another opportunity to contribute to your retirement. These plans can be started, stopped, or changed at any time and are separate from the mandatory retirement plans above. Contact Human Resources for forms and additional information.
Virtual Campus Counseling during COVID
If you are a TIAA participant and would like to schedule a counseling appointment with one of TIAA's advisors, please call the Scheduling Department at (800) 732-8353, or schedule online. Select "Virtual Consultation" days to find an appointment. If there are no appointments available at the time you are checking, check back again at a later date. Additional appointments are frequently added to keep up with demand. Appointments are completely virtual at this time.
Additional Information
If you need help with a distribution, allocation change, non-advice related questions, or are looking to make an immediate transaction, please contact the Participant Services Group at (800) 842-2252.
Other Benefits
Benefit eligible employees have additional benefits available to them:
- Take classes at discounted tuition rates at LCC or other colleges through a tuition waiver. See Human Resource Services and scroll to 'Tuition'.
- Up to 12% discount on auto and/or home insurance through Liberty Mutual.
- Employee leave (varies by employee classification)
- Red Devil Wellbeing Program
Worker's Compensation
All employees contribute to the medical portion of Worker Compensation Benefits. In addition, Lower Columbia College contributes its share of the cost to the Washington Department of Labor and Industries. Any employee injured on the job may receive medical and time loss benefits as defined by the worker's compensation laws. All injuries must be reported to your supervisor. Worker injury claims are administered by Personnel Services.
Unemployment Compensation
Staff employees are eligible to receive unemployment compensation benefits in accordance with State and Federal law. Direct inquiries regarding eligibility to the local WorkSource Center.