Benefits at Quinsigamond Community College

Benefits

Quinsigamond Community College is one of fifteen community colleges that within the State Colleges and University system which make up the Commonwealth’s public system of higher education. As a state agency, the College is able to offer its employees a broad range of benefit plans. Eligible employees are those who are generally full time and whose salaries are paid from state funds or grants.

Insurance and Health Care

The Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) offers insurance and a variety of healthcare plan options to state employees. Employees may select coverage from an indemnity plan, health maintenance organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).The GIC also coordinates life insurance, long-term disability insurance, dependent care and health care spending programs. For more information on these benefits visit www.mass.gov/gic.

Retirement Plans

Pension and annuity benefits are provided by the State Retirement Board. Employees who complete the contribution and service requirements under the plan may be eligible for a life-time benefit at retirement. More information is available at http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/. Faculty and senior level administrators may be eligible to participate in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), a defined contribution plan administered by the Board of Higher Education. In addition, employees who wish to supplement their retirement benefits may contribute to the Commonwealth’s SMART Plan. Participants in this deferred compensation plan, administered by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, may invest in a variety of funds. Details about the plan and investment options are available at https://mass-smart.gwrs.com/login.do.

Furthermore, employees may enjoy the benefit of tax-deferred savings through the purchase of tax sheltered annuity (TSA) policies from qualified vendors.

Adjunct faculty and part-time employees contribute to the State’s SMART plan. Such contributions are mandatory in accordance with provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA). Participants’ contributions are invested in The Income Fund. More information about OBRA and the plan is available at https://mass-smart.gwrs.com/login.do

Fringe Benefits

Other fringe benefits include payroll deductions for the UFund college savings plan, U.S. Savings Bond, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COMECC) and specified insurance programs offered to various employee groups. Through the Board of Higher Education’s System Wide Tuition Remission Plan employees and dependents may be eligible for tuition waivers at any of the public colleges or campuses of the University except for the MD program at UMass Medical School. The State’s payroll system provides for multiple direct deposits. Thus employees may direct their salaries to various financial institutions for savings, checking accounts, mortgages or loan payments. Quinsigamond Community College employees have 24 hour access to confidential counseling and referral through an Employee Assistance Plan.

Paid Leave

Commonwealth employees are eligible for eleven paid holidays per year, vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave and professional leave in accordance with applicable College policies or collective bargaining agreements. 

And More…

At our main campus the College’s Wellness and Athletic Center is open to all employees without payment of membership fees. The College’s bookstore offers a discount on merchandise to employees. On site cafeteria services provide convenience and reasonable pricing as well as healthy food options. Employees also enjoy the services provided by the Learning Resources Center, the Computer Lab and various professional development opportunities.