NDPERS Monthly Tip for Employers

North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System sent this bulletin at 08/04/2020 03:03 PM EDT

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North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System

Your NDPERS Monthly Reminder

August 2020

Mark your calendars! Annual Enrollment dates

  • Annual Enrollment for the 2021 calendar year will start on October 19 and end on November 6, 2020.
  • ACA Temporary Employee Special Enrollment  for the Health Insurance Plan Only will start on November 23, 2020 and end on December 4, 2020.

When is an employee eligible for retirement benefits?

An employee is eligible to participate in the NDPERS retirement system if they are employed by a participating employer. Participation requirements vary depending on whether the employee fulfills a permanent position or a part-time/temporary role. Use the Employer Guide as your resource to understand the difference and the steps you need to take to enroll employees accurately.

It is your responsibility to ensure employees are timely enrolled. Remember to enter new hires in Employer Self Service (ESS) and direct all employees to complete their steps on Member Self Service (MSS) or applicable forms.

What are the options for unused sick leave?

When employees separate from employment, they have options to make the most out of their unused sick leave. Employees must take action prior to leaving employment and will need your assistance, as their employer, to complete their next steps.

Option 1.

Coordinate payout of unused sick leave with employer

At termination, eligible employees may use each 173.3 hours of unused sick leave to purchase service credit. This option is not available in all participating organizations. 

This option is appealing for employees as it can increase the retirement benefit (pension) upon their retirement. 

You may need to assist the employee by completing Part F of the Conversion of Unused Sick Leave Application SFN 58358 if pretax funds are being rolled to NDPERS. The completed form must be received at NDPERS prior to the last day of the month in which the employee terminates or becomes ineligible to accrue sick leave. 

Option 2. 

Transfer unused sick leave to another agency

Employees that transfer to another NDPERS participating organization may have the option to transfer their unused sick leave.

Each employer may accept or reject unused sick leave hours for transferring employees. It is important for you to notify employees that only documented hours at NDPERS can be purchased upon terminating employment at a later date. 

Refer employees to the Transfer of Unused Sick Leave SFN 53404. The completed form must be on file at NDPERS withing 60 days from the employee's last date of employment.