Enrollment

The Virgin Islands government offers to full-time employees working at least 30 hours per week and their eligible dependents, a group health and dental insurance plan.

Full-time employees must enroll within thirty (30) days of hire unless they can provide proof of medical coverage from another source. An employee who does not enroll within 31 days of employment will be automatically enrolled in the health insurance plan with single coverage.

If an employee fails to enroll dependents within the initial eligibility period he/she must wait until a period of “open enrollment” is announced or have a qualifying event as determined by the health insurance carrier to enroll dependents or make changes to their coverage.

Effective Date of Coverage

If enrollment forms are received on or before the 6^th of the month, coverage will be effective on the first day of the first month following the receipt of enrollment forms. If enrollment forms received on the 7^th of the month or later, coverage will be effective on the first day of the second month following the receipt of the enrollment forms.

Example:

Dependent Coverage

Dependents of eligible employees may participate in the Group Health and Dental Insurance Program according to the terms and conditions imposed by the Health Insurance Board of Trustees and/or the carrier. Eligible dependents are the employee’s:

• Legal Spouse
• Children (natural /adopted / or step-children) up to age 26
• Disabled dependent child

Cost of Coverage

The Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) contributes toward the cost of Health Insurance for each employee enrolled under the Group Health Insurance Program. The GVI reserves the right to change the amount of the employee contribution when necessary for financial or other reasons.

Dental Insurance

As a condition of participation, all employees must enroll in medical coverage to qualify for Dental Insurance.

The government provides a complementary basic non-contributory $10,000 basic life insurance benefit. In order for the benefit to be effective, an enrollment form must be forwarded to the Group Insurance Office at the Division. The enrollment form must be signed, dated and must indicate a designated beneficiary.

Employees may also select additional life insurance in either 1x, 2x, 3x or 4x base salary or $10,000, $15,000, $25,000, $50,000, $75,000, $100,000 or $150,000 amounts as supplemental contributory coverage. The employee pays the cost of this additional insurance, and may be required to submit evidence of insurability when increasing coverage after initial enrollment. Insurance enrollment forms and booklets explaining in detail the plan of benefits, as well as claim forms and a schedule of costs may be obtained from the Group Health Insurance Office.

Upon retirement life insurance benefits may be reduced.

Upon death the designated beneficiary will be eligible to receive the life insurance proceeds of the insurance participant, the Division must be notified of the death in order to initiate the claim process. Life insurance benefits are payable by the contracted insurance company and a subject to the limitations established by the insurance company.

The Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) has several supplemental insurance plans that provide for coverage over and above the regular medical, dental and life insurance coverage.

• Vision
• Employee Supplemental Life
• Dependent Spouse Life
• Dependent Child Life
• Accidental Injury
• Critical Illness
• Hospital Care Coverage

These plans are voluntary and are not contributed to by the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI). An employee who does not wish to enroll in medical coverage is eligible to enroll in supplemental insurance.

It is the policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) to provide a reasonable relocation allowance inclusive of airfare, to eligible employees, based on their employment contract, to help defray the costs associated with relocation from outside the Virgin Islands to accept employment with the GVI. This allowance is made in lieu of any and all claims for reimbursement of relocation and moving expenses.

This policy applies to new employees recruited from off-island and who are approved by the Department Head to receive the benefit of a relocation allowance for moving and relocation expenses.

Eligibility

All employees on regular appointments who work at least 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in the Government Employees Retirement System.

Enrollment

The appropriate enrollment application forms should be completed at the time of orientation and will remain on file in the Departmental Human Resources Office. Contribution will begin on the next available payroll period following enrollment in the retirement program.

Contribution Rates

Contribution rates to GERS are established and amended according to the Virgin Islands Code.

Vesting

Members become vested in the retirement system after ten (10) years of credited service.

Plan Type

The Virgin Islands Government Employees Retirement System is a defined benefit retirement program to which both the GVI and the employee contribute. The benefit at time of retirement is based upon the employee’s age, years of service and salary history.

Retirement Age

Employees with forty (40) years of service may retire at any age at full annuity. A member who is fifty (50) years old with ten (10) years credited service may retire at a reduced annuity. Members who have thirty (30) years of service may retire at any age.

Final Average Salary

The Final Average Salary is the average of highest annual salary up to a maximum of $65,000 during any consecutive five (5) year period in the last ten (10) years. Total maximum benefit may not exceed 100% of maximum salary which may not exceed $65,000.

Retirement Benefits

Vested participants should contact GERS for detailed retirement benefit information at least one year but no later than six months prior to the retirement date.

Military Service Credit

Qualified members may receive military service credit toward retirement. Vested participants should contact GERS for details.

Morris F. de Castro Fellowship

Any nominated employee may be selected after 1 year of service for a $45,000 grant to pursue advanced studies or training in an area vital to the GVI.

Virgin Islands Public Manager® (CPM) Program

In partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, eligible employees with at least 2 years of service may attend an on-island nationally accredited management development and certification program that spans 18 months.

Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)

In partnership with the USA Graduate School, eligible employees with at least 2 years of service may attend an off-island leadership training program through Department of Interior that spans 9 months.

Career Incentive Pay

Pay differentials are offered as a reward for an eligible employee furthering their education in their respective field of fire, police, marshal services, and corrections.

Holiday Pay

The Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI) offers 18 paid holidays annually.

Annual Leave

An employee may use annual leave for vacations, rest and relaxation, and personal business or emergencies. An employee has a right to take annual leave, subject to the right of the supervisor to schedule the time at which annual leave may be taken. An employee will receive a lump-sum payment for accumulated and accrued annual leave when he or she separates from the Government of the Virgin Islands (GVI):

Sick Leave

Provides income protection for regular employees who are absent from work due to their own, non-work related illness or injury, or for the care of an eligible family member. All permanent, probationary, and provisional full time or part time employee accrue sick leave at the rate of one-half day for each full pay period.