Employee Benefits

Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System - APERS

A contributory/non-contributory retirement plan for public employees. AETN contributes 13.47 percent of employee's salary. Eligibility: State, current, regular, full-time employees and part time employees worked in excess of 1,040 hours. Not accepting new members from AETN.

Teachers Retirement System (TRS)

A contributory/non-contributory retirement plan for public employees. All new applicants are enrolled in the contributory program. AETN contributes 14 percent to both contributory/non-contributory plans. All new employees are enrolled in the contributory plan which requires a 6 percent employee contribution. Eligibility: State, regular, full time employees. Part time employees who have worked in excess of 1,040 hours.

Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities fund (TIAA/CREF)

Foundation non-contributory retirement plan. AETN contributes 12 percent of employee's gross bi-weekly salary. Eligibility: Foundation, regular, full time employees (after completion of 1 year employment).

Arkansas Diamond Plan

457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Pre-taxed earnings. Employee only contribution. Eligibility: State regular full time employees.

TIAA/CREF

403b Deferred Compensation Plan. Pre-taxed earnings. Employee only contribution. Eligibility: Foundation regular full time employees after completion of 1 year of employment.

Holidays

Eleven paid holidays per year, listed as follows:

• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Jr. / Robert E. Lee Day
• George Washington's Birthday / Daisy Gaston Bates Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veterans Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Employee Birthday

Eligibility: All regular full-time and extra help employees are eligible to receive holiday pay if they are in pay status on their last scheduled work day before the holiday and at least 1 hour on the first scheduled work day after the holiday. Employees who work less than full time may take the holiday at a rate proportionately equal to their time worked.

Annual Leave

Annual leave accruals begin on the first full month of employment. Accrual increases are based on continuous years of service.

Unused annual leave time will carry over to the next year provided the 30 day maximum is not exceeded. Eligibility: All regular full time employees. Job share employees accrue leave time on a pro-rated basis. Extra help employees are not eligible for annual leave.

Sick leave

All regular full time employees earn 12 days of paid sick time per year (8 hours) per month for full-time employees. Unused sick leave will carry over to the next year provided the 120-day maximum is not exceeded.Eligibility: All regular full time employees. Job share employees would receive leave time on a pro-rated basis. Extra help employees are not eligible for leave.

Other paid time off

Jury Duty: Employees who miss work while performing jury duty will receive normal and full compensation.

Military Leave is granted at the rate of 15 days per calendar year, plus necessary travel time for annual training purposes. Up to 15 military leave days may be carried over to the succeeding year for a maximum of 30 military leave days for that calendar year. Eligibility: All employees who are members of the National Guard or any other of the reserve branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Health Insurance

Eligible employees may choose one of three insurance plans. Cost of health insurance coverage is shared between employer and employee; premiums are deducted from bi-weekly pay. Eligibility: New hire state employees on the 1st day of the month after 30 days initial employment.

Foundation employees are enrolled in a group health plan. Cost of health insurance coverage is shared between the employer and employee; premiums are deducted from bi-weekly pay. Eligibility: New hire Foundation employees on the 1st day of the month after 90 days initial employment.

Arkansas Cafeteria Plan (ARCAP)

A tax free method to pay for eligible benefits such as: Dependent and elder care expenses (up to $5,000 per year), out of pocket medical expenses (up to $4,000 per year), and group health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility: State regular full time employees.

Section 125 / Cafeteria Plan

A tax free method to pay for eligible benefits such as: Dependent and elder care expenses (up to maximum allowable), out of pocket medical expenses (up to maximum allowable), and group health and life insurance premiums. Eligibility: Foundation regular full time employees.

Employee Assistance Program

A program that provides counseling, information and referral service to community resources for employees. Eligibility: All State and Foundation regular full time employees.