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Benton County Employee Benefits – Pre-retirement and Separation

Pre-Retirement and Separation Check List

This page includes retirement and separation information for employees. If you a question that is not answered below, contact Human Resources at 541-766-6081.

Vacation Leave

Unused vacation leave accrual is calculated and paid at the time of retirement and/or termination. No request is necessary.

Sick Leave Cash Out

Employees should refer to Benton County Personnel Policy 11.7. If an employee is a member of a bargaining unit, the employee should refer to their bargaining unit contract. If you are eligible to cash out sick leave, you will need to submit a written request (via e-mail) to Judith Cole in the Finance Office stating the percentage of sick leave you'd like to cash-out. For questions, contact Payroll at 541-766-6807.

Sick Leave Conversion

Non-represented employees are not eligible for sick leave conversion. If an employee is a member of a bargaining unit, the employee should refer to their bargaining unit contract. Requests to convert sick leave to vacation leave prior to retirement must be in writing (via e-mail) to Judith Cole in the Finance Office stating the hours of sick leave you'd like to convert to vacation leave. For questions, contact Payroll at 541-766-6807.

Medical and Dental Insurance Retirement

To discuss medical and dental insurance retirement options, contact the Finance Office at 766-6807. To request information regarding individual medical plan options contact Benton County's Agent of Record for Benefits April Couteux of Beecher Carolson at 503-219-3255.

Medical and Dental Insurance Separation

To discuss COBRA rights, which provides for continuation of medical and dental insurance, contact Jorge Hernandez at 541-766-6086. To request information regarding individual medical plan options contact Benton County's Agent of Record for Benefits April Couteux of Beecher Carolson at 503-219-3255.

Deferred Compensation

For questions about your deferred compensation account, contact your provider directly. For Nationwide Retirement Solutions, contact Blain Hill locally at 541-231-3385. For ICMA Retirement Corporation, contact DeLana Hansen toll-free at 800-735-7202, ext. 4952.

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

For questions about your PERS account or about medical coverage through PERS, contact PERS Customer Service at 800-320-7377 or visit their website.

Flexible Spending Account

If you retire or separate for the County during the plan year, the amount you allocated for the plan year is taken from your last paycheck and you still have access to the funds in your flexible spending account for the remainder of the plan year. For questions about your plan year allocation, contact the Payroll at 766-6087. For question about flexible spending account services, contact Manley Flexible Spending Custom Service at 800-422-2706.

AFLAC Supplemental Insurance

Benton County stops employee participation in AFLAC plans upon an employee's retirement or separation. If you have questions or are interested in continuing participation with AFLAC, contact Vicki Fite at 541-760-0357.

Retirement Health Savings Plan

For options about how to utilize funds in your retirement health savings plan, contact DeLana Hansen with ICMA Retirement Corporation at 800-735-7202, ext. 4952.

Life and Disability Insurance

Benton County stops participation in County sponsored life and disability insurance upon an employee's retirement or separation. For questions about supplemental life insurance portability, contact Prudential Financial at 800-524-0542.

Exit Interview

Exit interviews provide management the opportunity to gain candid information about employment conditions within the organization. If you are interested in sharing your work experience with Human Resources, contact Steve Bernet at 541-766-6081 to schedule an appointment. Copies of the exit interview are provided to your Department Head.

Other Exiting Steps

• Return Keys to supervisor
• Return ID Card to supervisor
• Return County Equipment to supervisor
• Notify IRM to close e-mail account
• Complete final time sheet so final check can be prepared