Full time permanent employees are covered for twice their annual salary rounded to the higher thousand dollars. In the event of accidental death, coverage is for four times the employee's annual salary. In the event of dismemberment as defined in the policy, coverage is an amount equal to the annual salary. This plan is mandatory and the city pays a portion of the cost. Deductions are processed on an after tax basis the second pay period of each month. The plan is administered by the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and underwritten by Securian Financial.

Employees with basic group life insurance coverage are also eligible to purchase additional life insurance coverage for themselves, their spouse, and dependent children through the Optional Group Life Insurance Plan.

Additional information and application forms for Group Life Insurance can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.

The VRS optional group life insurance provider is Securian Financial. Members who are covered for basic group life insurance may purchase optional group life insurance coverage in an amount equal to one, two, three, or four times salary, not to exceed $400,000. Members are responsible for paying the premiums for optional life insurance coverage through payroll deductions.

Participants must buy this coverage within 30 days of date of hire. Spouses may be added to the optional life insurance program within 30 days of marriage. Participants may add a newborn within 30 days of the date of birth.

If a participant does not purchase optional coverage as a new employee and later requests coverage, each family member to be covered must complete a health status declaration. Based on this information, Securian Financial will decide whether or not to issue a policy.

The additional coverage ceases upon service termination (conversion option available) and upon retirement. Participants may continue coverage after retirement by applying within 30 days with the VRS.

Additional information and application forms for the Optional Group Life Insurance can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.

Legal Resources is an employee benefit that provides high-quality legal services to our members.

With Legal Resources, you get comprehensive legal coverage on a broad range of services for an affordable low monthly rate. There are no co-pays and the cost of the plan does not change, no matter how often you use it. The most often needed legal services are covered at 100%. You, your spouse, and qualifying dependents pay no attorney fees when using these services.

Members have access to a network of top-rated, full services law firms locally and nationwide.

Additional information and application forms for Legal Resources can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.

A Deferred Compensation program is a program that allows you to invest today for your retirement. Federal and (in most cases) state income taxes are deferred until your funds are withdrawn, usually during retirement when you may be in a lower tax bracket.

Government employees are regulated under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code. Private employers have Section 401(K) programs.

All full-time employees may join the program upon date of hire. Deferrals will begin on the earliest payday following receipt of the enrollment form in the Department of Human Resources based on payroll closing deadlines.

The annual maximum contribution increases each year. You may contribute up to the annual maximum. If you are age 50 or older, you may contribute an additional "catch up" amount.

There are over 25 investment funds available to you. The vendor also sets up different portfolios of funds to assist you.

More details about the funds, earnings rates, investment fees and risk factors are available in the brochures and at www.icmarc.org.

You may change your deferral amount (increase, decrease, start or stop) by completing a change form. You may do this each pay period. You may change your investments/allocations directly with the vendor by telephone or Internet. Some restrictions may apply when transferring between funds.

If you have not had deferrals for two years and your account is under $5,000, you may have your funds while still working. This is a one time only offer. You may rejoin the program at any time.

An emergency withdrawal may be made for medical reasons or crises such as floods, fire, hurricanes, potential loss of your primary residence etc. The event must be unforeseen. It must be unbudgetable. It must represent a last resort. It must be fully documented. However, you can borrow up to 50% of your current account balance. Only one loan is allowed per calendar year.

Additional information and application forms for the Deferred Compensation Program can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks or 480 work-hours of job-protected leave for the care and treatment of a serious health condition incurred by the employee, the employee's immediate family member or for the birth or adoption of a child.

This act is enforced by the U. S. Department of Labor, and sets forth specific responsibilities for employers. The city's FMLA policy provides for 12 weeks (480 work hours) of FMLA leave per "rolling" 12-month period measured backwards from the date an employee uses any FMLA leave. This leave may be taken all at once, or used intermittently. Intermittent leave may include a reduced work schedule.

For additional information on the Family Medical Leave Act, visit the U.S. Department of Labor.

Additional information and forms for FMLA can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660, or by seeing our FAQs Page.

The Social Security Administration's (SSA) Web site provides information about retirement, survivors and disability insurance benefits, and supplemental social security income. The site provides answers to over 600 questions from "How do I replace a lost Social Security card?" to "How are my retirement benefits calculated?"

The SSA does not charge for its services. There is no charge for an application for a new or replacement Social Security number card or to change a name on a card, or for obtaining your Social Security Statement of earnings. All of SSA's publications are free.

Additional information and application forms for the Social Security can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.

The city values continuing education and considers it a vital part of employee development. The Tuition Assistance Program encourages a qualified person to remain in city services; to aid in attracting desirable new employees; to improve the quality of leadership in city Operations; and encourages continued training and education for potential advancement in city services. Details of eligibility, conditions and limitations of reimbursement and application procedures are found in A.R. 7.6.

Additional information and application forms for the Tuition Assistance Program can be obtained by contacting us at (804) 646-5660.