Retirement Plan

Regular employees of the LOTT Alliance participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) managed by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems. Employees who are new to PERS when hired by the LOTT Alliance will be required to choose one of two retirement plan options within 90 days of their hire into a benefits-eligible position. Both the employee and LOTT contribute to the employee's retirement plan. Payment amounts are based on a small percentage of the employee's salary, and vary depending upon which plan the employee selects.

PERS 2 is a defined benefit plan that provides a pension upon retirement based on years of service and the employee's compensation level. It provides a guaranteed lifetime benefit.

PERS 3 is a hybrid plan that combines a defined benefit with a defined contribution component. Simply stated, the employer's contribution funds a reduced pension benefit, and the employee's contribution is placed in an investment fund that the employee directs. The employee-directed investments may perform better than, or worse than the market average, and is not guaranteed.

Deferred Compensation

LOTT offers two optional plans to help our benefits-eligible employees save for retirement. The 457 accounts are tax-deferred compensation programs that are funded exclusively by the employee's contributions. The programs allow employees to set aside a portion of their salary on a pre-tax basis through payroll deduction to supplement their PERS retirement and social security. Employees may increase, decrease, stop, or start participation in these programs at any time.

Life Insurance

The LOTT Alliance provides a group life insurance policy of $36,000 for benefits-eligible employees. This policy provides a $1000 benefit for eligible dependents and includes an accident benefit that provides up to $36,000 of additional coverage. Employees may apply for supplemental life insurance on a self-pay basis. Medical review to purchase supplemental coverage may be required after the first month of employment, or for coverage in excess of the $50,000 guaranteed issue.

Long-Term Disability

LOTT provides, at no cost to employees, group long-term disability insurance for benefits-eligible employees. In the event that an employee becomes disabled and is no longer able to work, this policy has a benefit payment of up to 67% of the employees salary following 90-day waiting period.

Employee Assistance Program

LOTT contracts with First Choice Health to provide our staff with an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This free and confidential professional counseling assessment and referral service is available to all employees and members of their households to help with work and family issues. The EAP provides help and resources for a wide variety of life's challenges, including elder care; financial, marital, and family counseling; drug, alcohol, and gambling issues; grief, depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues. Counseling assessment is conducted face to face by local licensed counseling professionals.

Flexible Spending Accounts

These IRS-approved accounts allow employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for certain health-related and dependent care expenses. Pre-tax dollars are set aside from the participating employee's gross earnings before any federal and social security taxes are computed and withheld. This effectively lowers taxable income and results in about $1.25 in buying power for every dollar set aside in the account. The account can be used to purchase day care services, over-the-counter medications, prescription and other copayments, orthodontics, vision care, and other health-related items.

Commute Trip Reduction Program

The LOTT Alliance supports the goals of the statewide Commute Trip Reduction Program, which seeks to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and fuel consumption. We offer a financial incentive to encourage employees to commute to work through walking, biking, or ridesharing, such as a bus, vanpool, and carpool. Employees are eligible to earn $1.00 per one-way trip, or $2.00 per round trip commute when using these alternate modes of transportation. LOTT also provides free bus passes and a guaranteed ride home in the event of an emergency for employees participating in the Commute Trip Reduction Program.

Fitness Facility Subsidy

The LOTT Alliance will reimburse employees up to $25 per month toward their qualifying fitness facility membership for each month that the employee uses the facility on at least eight separate occasions.

Safety Incentive Program

LOTT’s Safety Incentive Program rewards staff, through financial incentives, to participate in optional safety activities and to become safety leaders within the workplace. At year’s end, participants receive gift cards to local businesses for their participation. This program ensures that employees have a continuous focus on workplace safety.

LOTT Exercise and Activity Program (LEAP)

LEAP is the LOTT Alliance’s active lifestyle incentive program which encourages employees to intentionally incorporate physical activity into their daily routines. LEAP provides financial incentives to employees for meeting the National Institute of Health’s recommended level of physical activity required to support good health – because healthy employees help build a healthy and productive workplace.