Exit Orientation
Presented
by
Michael Binyon, Manager of Payroll and Benefits
Mary Perdue, Lead Payroll Specialist
Cindy Sharp, Lead Benefits Specialist
Patty Nevdahl, Retirement Specialist
Disclaimer
The following information is intended to provide
you with some general information as to financial
matters that are due to your upcoming separation
of employment from Spokane Public Schools.
These benefits are governed by specific provisions
in your collective bargaining agreements, or
School District Board Policies and Procedures, or
state or federal laws or regulations, or other
controlling sources.
Disclaimer
If you have any doubt at all about laws, rules,
procedures, or ramifications of the decisions you
are making, you should first consult your attorney,
accountant, or tax advisor. Any decision made by
you in relation to these matters is your sole
responsibility, and we and the School District will
not be liable for any decisions you make in
reliance on what we may say (or not say) today.
Initiating Retirement/Resignation
Complete a Separation of Employment form
and submit it to the H/R Department
 Can be confidential to Board of Directors
 You will receive confirmation that it will go
to the board; no additional correspondence
 Letter tells options for payout

Where Your Personnel File Goes

Your personnel file is kept intact by the
District for 7 years after your employment
ends and is shredded after that time

Certificated employees also have a credit
/clock hour file that they may wish to copy
if applying at other districts
Payroll & Benefits Staff

Mary Perdue – Lead Payroll Specialist –
Phone 354-7222 email MaryPer@SpokaneSchools.org

Cindy Sharp – Lead Benefit Specialist –
Phone 354-7280 email Cindysha@SpokaneSchools.org

Patty Nevdahl – Retirement Specialist –
Phone 354-7282 email PattyN@SpokaneSchools.org
Options for Payout
10 Month Employees
If you want payment all in June, notify HR
by June 10
 Payout in June does not impact benefits for
July and August
 Payout in June does not impact taxes
adversely (quarterly code entered)

Vacation Leave Sell Back
Limited to 30 days including vacation leave
sold back in the last 2 years
 Paid out automatically upon separation or
retirement
 TRS/PERS Plan 1 only – vacation sold back
is reportable to Retirement

Sick Leave Sell Back –
Separation

Eligibility (as specified in law)
– TRS/SERS Plan 2 - 55 years old, 15 years service credit
– TRS/SERS Plan 3 – 55 years old, 10 years service credit
– TRS/PERS 1 – not eligible

Limited to 180 days maximum sell back at 4 days for
1 day pay

If your bargaining group selected VEBA, complete
application and money goes into your VEBA account
Sick Leave Sell Back –
Retirement

Limited to 180 days maximum sell back at 4 days for
1 day pay

If your bargaining group selected VEBA, complete
application and money goes into your VEBA account

Must send Payroll a copy of your DRS letter which
shows your retirement date
VEBA for Sick Leave Sell Back

Employee Groups vote annually on whether to
have retirement sick leave sell back funds go into
a VEBA account

If the group chooses VEBA, retirement Sick
Leave pay off funds are deposited into a tax-free
VEBA account

As a retiree, you submit claims to VEBA to be
reimbursed for your medical, dental and vision
premiums, and other qualified health care
expenses
Benefits – End of Coverage

10 month employees who work through the
last day of school (separate or retire)
– Benefits effective through end of September
– Benefit deductions tripled if salary paid out in
June
Benefits – End of Coverage
All 12 month employees OR
 10 employees who separate/retire any time
other than the end of the school year (For
example - March)

– If last day worked is 1st - 14th of March –
benefits end 1st of the next month, April
– If last day worked is 15th - 31st of March –
benefits end 1st of the month after that, May
Benefits – COBRA



Program that provides continuation of Medical,
Dental and Vision insurance, and Health Flexible
Savings Account upon loss of benefits
Provides an additional 18 months of benefit
coverage for separations/retirements
Cobra notification automatically sent during your
last month of coverage
– Rehn and Associates is our third party administrator
– Sent to your home address on file in HR
COBRA (cont’d)



60 days to enroll – from date of notification or loss
of benefits, whichever is later
Can not have a break in coverage/premiums
You pay the full premium
– The portion you currently pay and the portion the
district pays, plus a 2% administrative fee


Pay on the same rate structure (i.e. tiered or
composite) as when an active employee
Call Payroll/Benefits if you have questions –
354-7333
PEBB Health Insurance for
Retirees







Public Employees Benefit Board (PEBB)
PEBB retiree insurance is available for retirees
who had benefits while employed
PEBB retiree insurance is also available for
separating employees who are TRS/SERS Plan 3,
55 years old, and 10 years service credit
PEBB retiree insurance is NOT available for
separating employees who are TRS/SERS Plan 2
Retirees may choose COBRA or PEBB
Call PEBB for a packet – 1-800-200-1004
Limited number of packets available in Payroll
PEBB (cont’d)






60 days to enroll or defer coverage – from end of
benefit coverage.
IMPORTANT – if you miss the 60 day window,
you cannot enroll later! EVER!
Can complete a form deferring benefits if you will
have benefits through another active employer
sponsored or federal retiree plan
Deferral MUST be completed within 60 day
window
Suggestion – submit enrollment/defer form 6
weeks before end of benefit coverage
Call PEBB for any questions – 1-800-200-1004
Benefits - Life Insurance

Basic life
– May convert basic life to a private policy
– Rate will change
– Contact Payroll/Benefits for form

Supplemental life insurance (additional and
spouse life insurance)
– May be ported at the current rate for up to 3 years
– You pay the premium
– After 3 years, is converted to a private plan and rates
can change
– You can choose to discontinue the plan
Department of Retirement Systems
Separations
Not required to withdraw money
 Can leave money in and withdraw it at a
future time
 Retirement plan continues if employed with
another eligible employer
 Questions? Call DRS 1-800-547-6657

Department of Retirement Systems
Retirees




Recommend using the DRS online benefit
estimator on their website http://www.drs.wa.gov
Recommend attending the DRS free seminar or
workshop for retirement planning. Visit DRS
website to sign up or call 1-800-547-6657.
Get estimate of benefits from DRS if within 1 year
of retiring
Tell DRS when you think you will retire. You can
provide more than 1 date.
Department of Retirement Systems
Retirees
Based on your call to DRS, they will send
you an application if you are within 1 year
of retiring
 Return completed application to DRS three
months before retiring

Department of Retirement Systems
Retirees -10 Month Employees
If retire July 1, can receive SPS payroll check
and DRS check in July and August
 Plan 2 & 3 members

– Get estimate of July 1 vs. September 1 retirement
– Difference is two additional DRS monthly retirement
checks vs. two months additional DRS service credit
Retirement Planning Seminars
The DRS seminars run from 9 am to 2:30 pm and include
information on:








State retirement plans
Financial planning
Estate planning
Washington State Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)
Voluntary Employees' Beneficiary Association (VEBA)
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
Social Security
Health Care Authority (PEBB)
More information on signing up for the DRS Seminars is
available at the State DRS Web Site -- http://www.drs.wa.gov
DRS – Working after Retiring
DRS limits how many hours you can work
for a covered employer (i.e. school district)
 Rules vary depending on the DRS plan.
Contact DRS or payroll for a pamphlet!
 Exceed the limits and your retirement will
be stopped.

Applying for Rehire
Fill out complete application, certificated or
classified
 Include at least two letters of recommendation
 Attend substitute seminar
 Get fingerprinted if not within last two years

Social Security

Contact Social Security 1-800-772-1213
– “How the Social Security Changes Affect You”
booklet.
– Tutorial CD showing you how to Apply for
Social Security Retirement benefits On-Line at
the Social Security Administration’s Web Site
www.socialsecurity.gov
Miscellaneous Information

SEA/WEA sponsored Retirement seminars
– Three evening meetings usually in March
– Free to all employees
– Contact SEA for more information 325-4503

District Retiree Dinner
–
–
–
–
–
Usually one evening in May
Notify HR of your retirement by mid-May
Invitation will be sent to you and you may bring a guest
Your supervisor is invited
Contact Communications Dept. for more information
354-7340
Exit Orientation
Contact Information
Human Resources 354-7265
 Payroll/Benefits
354-7333
 PEBB
1-800-200-1004
www.pebb.hca.wa.gov
 DRS
1-800-547-6657

email recep@drs.wa.gov
www.drs.wa.gov

Social Security
1-800-772-1213
www.socialsecurity.gov
Exit Orientation
Questions?