The City of Bellevue offers a comprehensive benefit package to employees and their dependents. Below are some featured plans within the benefit package. For specific questions, please call Human Resources (425-452-6838).
Please note that the city does not participate in the Social Security Administration program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory Department of Retirement Systems retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.
Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the city's self-insured preferred provider organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (formerly Group Health Cooperative) (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees have the option of contributing pre-tax dollars toward two separate accounts through salary reduction. One account pays for eligible expenses not covered by the medical, dental or vision plans for employees and their tax dependents. The other account is for eligible child care or elder care expenses.
Additional Benefits
457 Deferred Compensation Plan (Voluntary)
The city provides a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan through the state Department of Retirement Systems. This voluntary plan allows employees the opportunity to save for retirement through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis and direction of investments into mutual fund investment options. There is no IRS early withdrawal penalty associated with distributions after separation from service in the 457 plan. Deferred compensation is allowed and regulated under Internal Revenue Code Section 457 for public employees.
State Department of Retirement Systems (Mandatory)
Employees hired into eligible positions are enrolled in one of the state’s pension plans: Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ (LEOFF), Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) or Public Safety Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS).
The city does not participate in Social Security Administration Program and employees do not earn Social Security credits. There may be offsets to eligible social security benefits due to the DRS Pension eligibility and the Windfall Elimination Provision or Government Pension Offset Provision. Visit the Social Security website for additional information.
Municipal Employees' Benefit Trust (Voluntary)
The Municipal Employees' Benefit Trust (MEBT) is a 401(k) governmental retirement plan. Eligible employees can contribute to up to 6.2% of their salary into the plan and receive eligible city matching contributions. There is a three-year employer contribution vesting schedule.
Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
A group term life and AD&D insurance policy is provided to each employee. The one-time payment is based on 80% of annual salary for most employees, up to a maximum of $50,000. Employees may purchase additional life and AD&D insurance for themselves, a spouse or domestic partner, and/or children at group rates.