Benefit Package Overview for Calendar Year 2023

Northwestern believes that its dedicated employees are its most valuable resource. Employees at Northwestern are provided with a professional and comfortable work environment, along with a generous benefit package. The Office of Human Resources can answer most questions about employment information at Northwestern.

(For more details regarding the insurance benefits below, please visit www.MyOKHEEIBenefits.com account)

Insurance

• Comprehensive Medical Benefits (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma – “BCBSOK”)
  Employee coverage paid by NWOSU.
  Dependent coverage optional - paid by employee.  Can be pre-taxed.

• Dental Insurance (Delta Dental)
  Employee and family coverage optional – both paid by employee.  Can be pre-taxed.

• Vision Insurance (Vision Service Plan – “VSP”)
  Employee coverage paid by NWOSU. 
  Enhanced “Buy Up” benefit optional - additional premium paid by employee.
  Dependent coverage optional - paid by employee.  Can be pre-taxed.

• Group Term Life Insurance (Standard Insurance Co.)
  Employee coverage paid by NWOSU.  Portable after 12 months.
  Voluntary (additional) coverage optional - paid by employee.  Portable after 12 months.
  Dependent coverage optional - paid by employee.  Portable after 12 months.

• Long Term Disability – “LTD” – (Standard Insurance Co.))
  Employee coverage paid by NWOSU (6 full months waiting period).        
  Enhanced “Buy Up” benefit optional - additional premium paid by employee.

• Short Term Disability – “STD” – (Standard Insurance Co.)
  Employee coverage optional – paid by employee.

• Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Insurance (Individual policy sold by VOYA – during open enrollment Option Period only)
  Employee and family coverage optional - paid by employee.  

Retirement

• OASDI Social Security
  6.2% of first $160,200 in 2023 taxable wages paid by employee, matched by NWOSU.

• Medicare Tax
  1.45% of total 2023 taxable wages paid by employee, matched by NWOSU.

• Oklahoma Teachers Retirement
  Vested after 7 years Oklahoma Service in OTR school(s).
  This is a “Defined Benefit” or “Pension Plan”.
  Each fiscal year (July – June), Northwestern contributes 7% of OTR “contributable salary,” which includes cost of employer-paid benefits, such as medical, vision, life, LTD and OTR remittances.  The employee is no longer responsible for contributing to the System, as of 7-1-09!

• 403b Tax Deferred Annuity (Voya Financial Group is sole provider at RUSO Schools.)
  Optional salary reduction paid by employee;
  Traditional—defers federal and state taxes now.
  ​Roth—defers federal and state taxes at the time of withdrawal.

Other Benefits

• Generous Leave Package

• Library Privileges

• Several Paid Holidays

• Tuition Assistance for Employee, Family

• Free Parking

• Free Employee, Family Membership Wellness Center

• Free Employee, Family Admission to Sporting/Other Events