The Town of Blacksburg offers employees a comprehensive benefit package that is competitive with that of other organizations. These benefits provide protection and security for town employees and their families.

Current benefits for full-time town employees include the following: 

Health Insurance

The town provides all pay plan employees with health insurance coverage through Local Choice. The Local Choice coverage combines medical, dental, vision and Employee Assistance Program, (EAP), into one plan. Local Choice utilizes Anthem networks for medical and EAP services. Two separate health insurance options are provided - KeyAdvantage 250 and KeyAdvantage 1000. Both options provide wellness and preventive care services at no cost to covered members. Employee coverage for the KeyAdvantage 1000 plan is paid in full for full-time pay plan employees. The town pays a prorated amount, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours, for part-time pay plan employees. The town also contributes to the cost of dependent coverage.

KeyAdvantage 250 Option

The KeyAdvantage 250 plan requires a copay for doctor visits with a primary care physician and a copay for visits with a specialist within the Anthem network. This plan has a 20% co-insurance on certain services. Office visits, emergency room visits, outpatient services and inpatient hospital stays are subject to copays. All additional services are subject to a calendar year deductible. 

KeyAdvantage 1000 Option

The KeyAdvantage 1000 plan is a high deductible consumer driven plan which is supplemented by an employer funded Health  Reimbursement Account (HRA). The HRA is 100% funded by the town in the amounts of the individual or family deductible each year the KeyAdvantage 1000 plan is elected. Health care expenses may be paid using a debit card provided by Flexible Benefit Administrators (FBA) or submitted to FBA for reimbursement. Any unused HRA funds at year end will remain in the account for the next plan year, up to a maximum rollover of $10,000.

Dental Insurance

Dental coverage is provided as part of the Local Choice insurance plan and is administered by Delta Dental. Delta Dental has a large network of providers in the New River Valley. The dental plan offers coverage for preventative, basic, major and adult and dependent orthodontic services. This plan has an annual maximum benefit of $1,500 per plan year for each covered family member over the age of 19. No annual maximum applies for dependents under the age of 19 with the exception of orthodontic services. These services have a separate $1,500 lifetime maximum. 

Blue View Vision

Vision coverage is provided as part of the Local Choice plan and is administered by Blue View Vision. In-network providers offer a basic eye exam once every 12 months after a $35 or $40 copay. Frames, up to a $100 retail value, are available once every 12 months with a $20 copay. Lenses or contacts are covered under both plans once every 12 months.

Virginia Retirement System

The town provides membership in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) for all pay plan employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week. The employee is responsible for paying the member's contribution, (5 percent of monthly salary). The employer's contribution is paid by the town for full-time pay plan employees. The employer's contribution is prorated for part-time pay plan employees based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.

Plan 1: (Employees with active or deferred service prior to 7/1/2010) VRS Plan I is a defined benefit plan that bases the retirement benefit on your age, years of service and salary. Employees with at least 30 years of VRS service are eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50. Sworn law enforcement personnel are eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 with at least 25 years of VRS service.

Plan 2: (Employees whose VRS membership date is 7/1/2010 - 12/31/2013) Employees with service and age equivalent to 90, (e.g. age 60 with 30 years of service credit), are eligible for full retirement benefits. Sworn law enforcement personnel are eligible for full retirement benefits at age 50 with at least 25 years of VRS service.

Hybrid Plan: (Employees whose VRS membership date is 1/1/2014 or later.) The Hybrid Retirement Plan combines the features of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. The defined benefit portion is based on age, service and salary. The defined contribution plan depends on the contributions made to the plan and the investment performance of those contributions. The retirement benefit is supplemented through mandatory and voluntary contributions made by you and your employer to both the defined and benefit and defined contribution plans. Hybrid Retirement Plan members will be enrolled into both short-term and long-term disability programs.

Life Insurance

The town provides life insurance equal to double the employee’s annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand. The policy also includes provisions for dismemberment and double indemnity for accidental death. The premium for this coverage for full-time pay plan employees is covered 100% by the town. The town pays a prorated amount for part-time pay plan employees, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours. Town retirees retain life insurance that is free of cost. The amount of the coverage will reduce of the equivalent to one-half the employee's annual salary at the time of retirement.

Optional Life Insurance

Pay plan employees may purchase optional life insurance coverage through Minnesota Life. Optional coverage may be purchased for the employee, spouse, and children. Rates are based on the level of desired coverage, the employee salary, and the age of the employee. Employee coverage is automatically guaranteed for employees that enroll at the time of eligibility.

Long Term Disability Insurance

All pay plan employees who are members of Virginia Retirement System Plans 1 and 2 are enrolled in long term disability provided by National Insurance Services. After a 90 day elimination period, this benefit will pay two-thirds of an employee's monthly salary. Coverage for part-time pay plan employees shall be pro-rated based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.  

Flexible Spending Accounts

Pay plan employees may participate in pre-tax Health Care and/or Dependent Care Spending accounts. Flexible spending accounts allow the employee to have pre-tax money deducted each pay period to be placed into the account(s) for out-of-pocket expenses. a debit card is available for use with these accounts. These accounts are administered by Flexible Benefit Administrators.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The town offers membership to the International City/County Management Association’s Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees may defer up to $20,500 or 50% of annual salary to invest for retirement. Federal and state income taxes are deferred until the money is withdrawn from the account.

LegalShield and IDShield

Town Pay Plan employees may participate in voluntary LegalShield and IDShield plans. The LegalShield coverage provides legal representation for certain issues. Preparation of a complete Will, Living Will, and Health Care Power of Attorney are available free of charge to participating employees.  IDShield coverage provides secure web access to a single bureau credit report, credit score analysis, credit monitoring, credit activity alerts, and identity recovery services to participating employees.

American Family Life Assurance Company

Town Pay Plan employees can elect to enroll in a voluntary supplemental insurance policy. Available insurance coverage includes Accident Expense, Hospital Intensive Care Protection, and Cancer Expense. Premiums vary by level of coverage.

Employee Assistance Program

The town provides a confidential counseling service through Optima EAP to all town employees, volunteers of both the Fire and Rescue Squads, and immediate family members who reside in the home of the employee/ volunteer.

Safety Equipment, Uniforms, Tool Allowance, and Clothing Allowance

The town provides these items as necessary according to prescribed procedures in the town’s rules and regulations.

Annual Leave

All full-time pay plan employees participating in the Virginia Retirement System Plans 1 and 2 accrue annual leave at the following rate: 

All part-time pay plan employees who are scheduled to work at least an average of 20 hours per week shall accrue annual leave on a prorated and length of service basis, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.

Flexible Leave Plan (FLP)

All full-time pay plan employees participating in the Virginia Retirement Sytem's Hybrid Retirement Plan will be enrolled in the Flexible Leave Plan (FLP) rather than the Annual Leave and Sick Leave plans. Employees will accrue leave at the following rate:

Sick Leave

All full-time pay plan employees participating in the Virginia Retirement System's retirement Plans 1 and 2 accrue sick leave at the rate of 104 hours per year. Part-time pay plan employees who are scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week accrue sick leave on a prorated basis, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.  

Sick Leave Bank

All Pay Plan employees participating in the Virginia Retirement System Plans 1 and 2 will be eligible for the Sick Leave Bank once the employee has completed six months of employment and a deposit of one day of sick time has been made into the bank. The eligible employee may use the sick leave bank benefit for an extended illness or injury that requires the employee to use all accumulated sick and annual leave, after a 240 working hour elimination period. 

Leave to Volunteer for Community Services and/or at Children’s Schools

All full-time pay plan employees are granted 8 hours of leave per calendar year to volunteer at schools or to participate in a community service project. Part-time pay plan employees who are scheduled to work 20 hours per week are granted leave on a prorated basis, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.

Holidays

The town provides employees with twelve paid holidays. Additional floating holidays may be observed.

Funeral Leave

The town grants a maximum of 40 hours per calendar year to a Full-Time Pay Plan employee for a death in his/her immediate family. Part-Time Pay Plan employees are eligible for funeral leave on a prorated basis, based on the budgeted number of workweek hours.

Military Leave

A maximum of 150 hours per Federal Fiscal year shall be granted to all Pay Plan employees that are National Guard, Reservists, and members of the Virginia State Defense Force and National Defense Executive Reserve to attend training.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance, Social Security, and Unemployment Insurance

The town provides these coverages in amounts and at rates established by the state and federal governments.

Educational Incentive Program

Qualifying Pay Plan employees attending job related higher education classes are eligible to receive assistance up to $2,400 per fiscal year for tuition costs.

Service Awards

The town provides service awards of $125-$400 value, depending on length of service, to all qualifying employees.

Annual Employee Picnic and Holiday Luncheon

The town sponsors these events to which all current and retired employees and Fire and Rescue Volunteers are invited. A gift certificate is given to each qualifying employee during December.

MyTOB APPLAUSE! Awards Program

Pay Plan employees may earn awards based on training and safety achievements, as well as participation in the MyTOB Wellness program.

MyTOB Wellness Program

Pay Plan employees and retirees may join the MyTOB Wellness Program for $1 per pay period. Wage employees working a minimum of 1,000 hours during the previous fiscal year or who worked a minimum of 500 hours the previous year and have five years of continuous employment are also eligible to join the Program. Membership in the Program affords free use of the Aquatic Center, Community Center Weight Room, and waiver of green fees at the Municipal Golf Course.