/ Human Resources

Benefits

Â鶹ÊÓƵ offers a competitive benefit plan that promotes our employees’ health and wellbeing, work-life balance and financial stability.

Eligibility for benefits is based on hours scheduled to work in the college's fiscal year (July 1–June 30).


Full-time employee
>.75 FTE (1,560+ hrs)
Part-time employee
.5-.74 FTE (1,000-1,559 hrs)
Part-time regularly scheduled employee
<.49 FTE (<999 hrs)

All Benefits*
(*some positions have exceptions as outlined in BAAG below)

Benefits At A Glance Brochure

INVEST Retirement Plan
Paid Holidays (staff)
Wellness Program
On & Off Campus Offers for Employees

 Paid Holidays (staff)
Wellness Program
On & Off Campus Offers for Employees
Medical

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) adminsters Â鶹ÊÓƵ's self-insured preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan. BCBSM provides a network of local, national and international providers. Currently 100% of Michigan hospitals and approximately 95% of providers in the West Michigan area participate in the BCBSM network. This access provides our employees with great options for their health care needs.

provider Information


1.877.671.2583

Lost or need to replace your BCBSM ID card? Access your to request a new one.

Need to find a form for Blues (Coordination of Benefits, Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Medical, etc.), simply log into your member account. 

 view 2024–25 medical plans at a glance  &  employee premiums Resources

REQUIRED FEDERAL POSTINGS SPECIFIC TO MEDICAL PLAN

  • (Transparency in Coverage required posting)  To view ~ right click link ~ select copy ~ paste in separate tab on your computer's browser.
  • Notice of Health Coverage Options (ACA required posting)

 

Prescription Drugs/Rx

CVS/Caremark administers Â鶹ÊÓƵ's self-insured pharmacy benefit and provides both a retail pharmacy network and mail-order option for member's prescription drug needs. Employees and their family's coverage is automatic with their Medical Plan election (Blue or Orange) and coverage is dependent on that plan's design.

provider Information


1.888.321.4206
Lost or need to replace your CVS/Caremark ID? Access your member site through CVS/Caremark link above to print a replacement.


1.800.578.4403
Monday - Friday, 8a-8p, ET
Optional $0 copay program for employee assistance with specialty drugs expense.



VIEW 2024–25 prescription drug plans at a glance & Employee premiums 

resources

Dental

Blue Dental (division of BCBSM) provides Â鶹ÊÓƵ's dental insurance plan. Blue Dental provides a network of local and national providers. West Michigan has approximately 75 in-network providers.

provider information


1.877.671.2583

Lost or need to replace your Blue Dental ID? Access your to request a new one.

VIEW 2024–25 DENTAL PLANS AT A GLANCE & Employee premiums 

resources


  • or 1.888.826.8152 (when prompted, select Blue Dental PPO as "your network")

 

Vision

EyeMed provides Â鶹ÊÓƵ's vision insurance plan. EyeMed provides a network of local and national providers. West Michigan has approximately 50 providers in network.

provider information


1.866.939.3633

Lost or need to replace your EyeMed ID? Access your to print a replacement.

resources

  •  (use Insight Network in search)

plan at a glance

summary of benefits and coverage Vision BAAG
employee premiums (per pay 2x/mth)

Single: $4.98
Double: $9.45
Family: $13.88
Flexible Spending and Health Savings

provider information


1.844.356.9993

Lost or need to replace your PNC Debit Card? Contact PNC Bank @ 1.844.356.9993 for assistance.

Resources and forms

child / dependent care

Flexible Spending Child/Dependent Care accounts are avenues to set aside pre-tax money for out-of-pocket dependent care expenses. Eligibility for Child/Dependent Care FSA is not dependent on your health insurance election.

medical plans

Flexible Spending Medical and Health Savings accounts are avenues to set aside pre-tax money for out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision and other health related expenses. Limited Purpose Flexible accounts are available for ONLY out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses of HSA participants.  Eligibility for Medical FSA and HSA/LPFSA accounts are dependent on your health insurance election. 

medical tax savings plan comparison

  FSA HSA LPFSA
Eligibility Must be enrolled in traditional health plan (college's Blue or similar plan) Must be enrolled in a high deductible health plan (college's Orange Plan only) Must be enrolled in HSA
normal Provisions

Use-it-or-lose-it with $610 carryover (2024) and $640 (2025) only

Roll-over annually, no use-it-or-lose-it rule

Use-it-or-lose it with $610 carryover (2024) and $640 (2025) only
Maximums $3,200 (per benefit year)

Single: $4,150* (per calendar year)

Double/Family: $8,300* (per calendar year)

*if aged 55+, an additional contribution of $1,000 is allowed.

 $3,200 (per benefit year)
medical plan Eligible Expenses Dental & Vision Expenses Only
Reimbursement process & to Monitor/check balance
Option to Change Amount during Benefit Year Not applicable unless eligible for Special Enrollment (see Benefit Changes section) Not applicable unless eligible for Special Enrollment (see Benefit Changes section)
Dependant Verification

Letter on this important initiative from HR Director Sara Dorer.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Comprehensive Dependent Verification Process will take place August 1–October 31, 2024. Any dependents who have not been verified by October 31 will lose coverage as of November 1, 2024.  

Provider Information
Alight Verification Center Customer Care
1.866.271.8638 
For email inquires use the Secure Email Option found on the "Contact Us" link (bottom of portal page)

NOTE:  All email correspondence will be sent directly from vendor with email dependentverification@alight.com (however, this is a no-reply email)

Resources

Financial

Retirement
Â鶹ÊÓƵ provides a retirement plan called "INVEST" to all eligible (scheduled to work 1,000+ hours annually) employees after one year of employment. The college contributes, on a per-pay basis, an amount equal to 10.5% of an employee's base salary. Employees may also contribute, either pre-tax or post-tax (ROTH), on a voluntary basis. Vesting (ownership) is 100% upon participation. Participants may direct the College contribution into a variety of investment alternatives.

provider information

(best viewed in Internet Explorer)
1.888.676.5512

(legacy provider prior to October 1, 2013)
1.800.842.2776

resources

  • Enrollment Kit
  • (access your account & select details > manage > contributions)
  • Asset Consolidation Group (Transamerica information and contact for incoming direct rollovers for employees)
  • Getting Ready to Retire (Transamerica is here to help)
  • Managed Advice Program (an add-on option for your INVEST Retirement Plan Investment Advice)
  • Do you have a personal financial plan in place?  (our 403b plan investment advisor IBS Financial can help.)
  • On Campus Individual Consultations with Transamerica Reps (held each semester)
    Next Date: TBD March 2025 (link to be activated when dates are finalized)
  • (ongoing opportunity to 1x1 meeting to discuss retirement accounts)

PLAN DOCUMENTS & ANNUAL REQUIRED NOTICES

Life Insurance

Â鶹ÊÓƵ provides term life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage for our employees, at no cost to the employee, equal to one-and-one-half times the employee's basic annual earnings. The benefit amount is reduced at age 65 and again at age 70 if still actively employed. Employees may also purchase additional Voluntary Life Insurance, at group rates, post tax, via payroll deduction.

SunLife Group Policy #952772

Employer-Paid Term Life and AD&D Insurance

Employee-Paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance

PROVIDER INFORMATION

1.800.247.6875
www.sunlife

RESOURCES

Tuition Waiver

Tuition Waiver benefits are available for full-time employees, their spouses and children. Eligible programs include on-campus courses as well as several off-campus programs. Additionally, Â鶹ÊÓƵ participates with a tuition remission program within the Great Lakes College Association and a tuition exchange program within the Council of Independent Colleges.

RESOURCES

PLAN AT A GLANCE

  STAFF (hourly & Administrative) faculty
employee taking classes on campus (One course per semester maximum) 100% waiver (after one-year employment) 100% waiver (immediate eligibility)
employee taking classes via Tuition exchange program with the council of independent colleges () (supervisor approval required) 100% waiver (after one-year employment) 100% waiver (immediate eligibility)
employee's spouse and Children (natural and adopted children until the age of 30 and dependent stepchildren until the age of 25) up to 10 semesters max. 10% waiver for each year of employee's service up to maximum of 100%, less financial aid, of courses taken on Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus.

Once 100% waiver earned, eligible for Tuition Exchange Program with The Council of Independent Colleges () and/or  the waiver remission program for dependents at schools within Great Lakes College Association () (up to eight semesters maximum).		 100% waiver, less financial aid, of courses taken on Â鶹ÊÓƵ campus.


Immediate eligibility for Tuition Exchange Program with The Council of Independent Colleges () and/or  the waiver remission program for dependents at schools within Great Lakes College Association () (up to eight semesters maximum).


Paid Benefit/Leave Time

Holidays & Campus Shut Down

NOTE: Employees working shifts other than M–F should contact their supervisor for revised holiday calendars.

2024

Floating Holiday Employee (>.75 FTE) selects, no carryover allowed
New Year's Day Monday, January 1
Good Friday Friday, March 29
Memorial Day Monday, May 27
Independence Day Thursday, July 4
bonus holiday Friday, July 5
Thanksgiving Wednesday–Friday, November 27–29
Christmas Eve Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Wednesday, December 25
Campus Shut-Down December 23, 26-31

 2025

Floating Holiday Employee (>.75 FTE), no carryover allowed
New Year's Day Wednesday, January 1
Good Friday Friday, April 18
Memorial Day Monday, May 26
Independence Day Friday, July 4
bonus holiday Wednesday, November 26
Thanksgiving Wednesday–Friday, November 26–28
Christmas Eve Wednesday, December 24
Christmas Thursday, December 25
Campus Shut-Down December 26, 29-31

Policies per employment status:

Summer Hours
Vacation
Jury Leave
Funeral/Bereavement Leave
Sick Pay, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Â鶹ÊÓƵ provides financial assistance for absences due to illness, hospitalization, surgery or other medical condition. The benefit is composed of three components: Sick, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability.

PROVIDER INFORMATION

Hope College Human Resources Office (self-administration of sick and short-term disability)
1.616.395.7818

Sunlife Insurance (long-term disability provider effective July 1, 2022)

PLAN AT A GLANCE

  Hourly Faculty and Administrative staff
Sick pay Earned on an accrual basis at the rate of 40 hours per year. Balance reflected in Leave Balance on plus.hope.edu employee secure log-in. (policy) Regular pay for work missed due to illness. (policy)
Short-Term Disability (for surgeries and illnesses requiring >3 days absence as well as maternity leave) 
FMLA applies		 60% of normal rate of pay for medically necessary leave, up to 26 weeks. (policy) 100% wage continuation for medically necessary leaves, up to 26 weeks. (policy)
Long-term disability (available after six months continuous disability) 60% of base monthly earnings (up to $6,000 max). (policy) 60% of base monthly earnings (up to $6,000 max). (policy)
long-term disability buy-up (additional employee cost) An additional 10% LTD coverage, for total of 70% (up to $7,500 max.), may be purchased.   An additional 10% LTD coverage, for total of 70% (up to $7,500 max.), may be purchased.   
Summary of benefits & buy-up cost formulas Core and Buy-Up FT Faculty & Administrative (Classification  1 & 2) and Hourly (Classification 3 & 4)
Certificates Core with Buy-Up FT Faculty & Administrative (Classification 1 & 2) and Hourly (Classification 3 &4)
Non-Medical FMLA, Other Unpaid Leaves, and Parental Leave

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Wellness

Â鶹ÊÓƵ Wellness seeks to inspire, educate and promote healthy living for the faculty and staff in our community. We desire to create a culture that has an excellent quality of life by addressing the whole person — body, mind and spirit. For more details and current classes and education opportunities:

Visit our wellness website 

On Campus & Community Offers for Employees

Human Resources receives special discount information and opportunities for our employees. While we do not endorse any particular off-campus company, we want to share the potential discounts and group rates available to you. You will be required to show a valid Hope College Faculty/Staff ID.

On-Campus

 Vision & Hearing

Banking Institutions

Health & Wellness

  • Ideal Bodywork Massage LLC - $5 off one hour massage with Hope ID
  • — 10% off membership of your choice:
    1) Pure Lifestyle — $140/month (unlimited access to classes; cancel anytime with no fee), or 
    2) Pace Yourself (4 Pack/Month) — $70/month (4 classes per month, classes do not carry over, cancel anytime with no fee).
  • MVP Fitness Center
  • Orangetheory (visit for current classes)
  • Velo City Cycles

Entertainment

  • (discount program for hotel, car, entertainment, etc. offered through Ulliance EAP provider) NOTE: Using this link will connect this program directly through Ulliance, simply register by using your Hope email address.

 Miscellaneous

Adoption Reimbursement Benefit

In order to assist families with the cost of adoption, Â鶹ÊÓƵ will provide reimbursement for adoption expenses up to the actual cost or current benefit amount.

resources

 

Walk to Work

Resources

Employee Assistance Program

The Ulliance Life Advisor EAP® is an employer sponsored benefit for employees that offers total well-being services to employees, spouse/live-in partner and dependents through the age of 26 at no cost to the employee and is 100% confidential.  Services include counseling, coaching, crisis intervention, resources and more.  To access your benefit or to learn more, contact your Life Advisor Consultant at 1.800.448.8326 or visit LifeAdvisorEAP.com.    

Provider:

  • ®
  • 1.800.448.8326

Resources:

questions regarding benefits?

Contact Connie VanderZwaag, benefits manager, at ext. 7818 or vanderzwaag@hope.edu.

Â鶹ÊÓƵHuman Resources

workP. 616.395.7811