Monroe County, Indiana

Employee Benefits

This information provides a list of benefits plans offered to employees of Monroe County.  The County reserves the right to amend or discontinue these plans at any time and for any reason.  For more information, please contact our Human Resources Department at (812) 349-7313.

2025 Employee Benefit Guide

Personal Benefit Leave

The County provides paid personal benefit leave benefits to all full-time employees. This benefit time is designed to be used as the employee needs and upon approval by their supervisor. This benefit time may be used for, but not limited to, periods of temporary absence due to illness, injury, and the attendance of medical appointments, mental health days, unplanned personal events, bereavement, and vacation.

One (1) day of personal benefit leave shall be granted to full-time employees upon commencement of employment. Thereafter, full-time employees shall earn one (1) day of personal benefit leave on the first day of each full month of continued employment. These days may be accumulated without limit until termination of employment. If an employee transfers between County departments, any unused personal benefit leave is transferred to the new department. Upon termination of employment, the employee shall NOT be compensated for accrued personal benefit leave.

Vacation

Accrual of vacation time begins upon the date of hire and is normally computed from anniversary date to anniversary date.  The amount of vacation time is based on years of service.

Longevity

Employees who have an official hire date and began work within Monroe County Government prior to November 1, 2023, shall receive a longevity payment for complete and uninterrupted years of service. These payments will continue until either there is a break in the employee’s service, or the employee ends employment with the County.  Any employee who has an official hire date and has begun work on or after November 1, 2023, is ineligible to receive longevity payments.

To determine longevity, the effective date for longevity is the employee's most recent fullâ€Âtime hire date of employment with the County. All records must be verified by the Employee Services Department that involve any type of interrupted service.

Longevity pay for eligible employees is based on the below schedule of complete and uninterrupted years of service. A break in service will result in the loss of longevity pay if the rehire date is on or after November 1, 2023.   To be eligible for a longevity payout, an employee must still be employed on the day after their anniversary date.   Elected Officials DO NOT receive county longevity pay. Employees whose salaries are determined by a stateâ€Â prescribed rule, order, guidelines, or mandated, DO NOT receive county longevity pay. Probation Officers would be an exception to this rule and would receive longevity. The annual longevity payment given to other County employees will not be given to Correction Center employees covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement as longevity is provided for by the consideration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Longevity is paid via direct deposit as a separate deposit into the employee’s bank account.  This is considered taxable income and taxes with be withheld.

Public Employees' Retirement Fund

Public Employee’s Retirement Fund (PERF). PERF mandates that each employee contribute three percent (3%) into their personal PERF account. Monroe County has elected to make this three percent (3%) contribution into each employee’s fund. In addition, there is an employer portion, which is a percentage set by the State. This amount is based on each employee’s salary. These funds go directly into the PERF General Fund for new and existing retirees. This is deposited directly into the fund. The employee has several options regarding how the employee’s own money is invested in the fund. If employment is terminated before the money vests (generally upon ten (10) years’ service), the employee’s contributions, plus interest, are refunded although it usually takes several months to process the return. Generally, the money becomes vested after ten (10) years.

When an employee reaches age sixty-five (65), they may receive the full retirement amount if they have at least ten (10) years of eligible service. An employee with fifteen (15) or more years of service may elect to retire as early as age fifty (50); however, retirement benefits are substantially reduced if the retirement occurs before age sixty (60). The pension is calculated by a formula set by law. On average, County contributions furnish approximately eighty-five percent (85%) of the total benefit an employee receives. A handbook, which more fully explains the program, is available from the Human Resources Department. Additional information is available by calling (844) 464-6777.

Employees planning to retire should call the number above for more information.  The retirement process is handled completely online, and the employee is advised to start that process at least 90 days prior to their retirement date.

Direct Deposit

All Monroe County employees are paid via direct deposit.  You may choose up to three (3) banks for the distribution of your pay.  You are unable to receive a check and a direct deposit. Upon hire, you will complete a direct deposit form and attach either a voided check or an affidavit from your bank showing the account holder’s name, account number, and routing number.

County-Sponsored Benefits

Monroe County is pleased to offer medical insurance coverage, as well as dental and vision coverages, to all full-time employees and their families who choose to participate.  The County shares the cost of medical and dental and pays approximately 80% of your premium.  We offer medical coverage through Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.  MetLife Dental administers dental coverage and Guardian VSP is the vision plan carrier. The premiums for all three coverages are pre-tax. The terms and conditions specified in such plans govern coverages. Information about how to enroll, change or continue coverage may be obtained from the Human Resources Department.

The County offers an automatic $25,000 term life insurance policy for all full-time employees.

Monroe County Health & Wellness Center

When enrolled in a County health plan, full-time employees and their covered dependents may participate in primary care services provided by ProActive MD at no additional cost.  Office visits and dispensed generic medications are also at no additional cost to the employee. 

Full-time employees and their covered spouses also have the opportunity to participate in the County wellness program, which pays annual incentives.  Incentives are paid via direct deposit and appear as a separate deposit into the participating employee’s bank account.  This is considered taxable income, and taxes will be withheld.

Eligible Employees who use the Monroe County Health & Wellness Center may receive benefit time known as Clinic Time. The benefit time for an employee is only available for Health Clinic appointments of the employee or when the employee accompanies a dependent child (in accordance with Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”)).

Clinic appointments for employees and dependent children scheduled during an employee’s regular work hours require the employee to receive prior approval from their supervisor, or elected official/department head. Travel time for the Employee’s appointment at the Monroe County Health & Wellness Center will be included if the employee is coming directly from and returning directly to work. If only one (1) leg of travel is during regular work hours, then only that time will be given as benefit time. No travel time will be given for dependent children’s appointments. Employees must have a note from the Clinic staff stating the time arrived and departed in order to receive Clinic Time. Clinic Time will not apply if an Employee is already at their required minimum 35/40 hours in a week without the addition of that Benefit Time.

Supplemental Insurance

Monroe County offers full-time employees the opportunity to enroll in non-contributory, or voluntary, coverages.  Employees pay 100% of the pre-tax premiums for these benefits:

• Accident
• Critical Illness
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Deferred Compensation/Retirement Plan
• Pre-Paid Legal Services and Identity Theft Protection

Voluntary Term Life

Employees may purchase additional life insurance of up to five (5) times their annual salary.  OneAmerica/AUL provides group term life to full-time county employees at group rates.  Employees may also purchase life insurance coverage for their spouses and dependents when purchasing additional coverage for themselves.  Premiums are post-tax and based on the employee’s age and level of coverage.

Disability Insurance

OneAmerica also provides full-time employees with both short- and long-term disability insurance, also known as income replacement insurance.  Short-term covers 60% of the employee’s weekly salary and can pay up to 12 weeks, excluding the 15-day waiting period.  Long-term disability pays 60% of the employee’s monthly salary and has a 90-day waiting period.  Premiums are post-tax and are based on the employee’s age and income.

Deferred Compensation Program

Monroe County provides employees the opportunity to participate in a 457(b) deferred compensation plan to supplement their retirement.  OneAmerica administers the program, which allows you to contribute a portion of your salary before federal taxes to a retirement plan. For more information about the plan, or to enroll, contact Human Resources.

Flexible Spending Account

Employee Benefits Corporation (EBC) offers three Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allowing you to redirect a portion of your salary specific types of healthcare or dependent care expenses.  During open enrollment each year, and per IRS regulations, you must select a specific dollar amount for each type of account, which will be deducted from your salary beginning January 1 of the next benefit year.

Redirecting part of your salary into a Flexible Spending Account(s) (FSA) means that your taxable income will be calculated after the elected amounts for dependent care and/or unreimbursed medical expenses are deducted from your salary.  No social security tax, federal income tax, state income tax (except in Pennsylvania and New Jersey) nor local tax will be paid on the elected amounts.