Government jobs in Alaska (safety, land, office)

[akck]

Tier 3 has all the same benefits as Tiers 1 and 2. The main differences for Tier 3 are 5 more years to be vested in medical, high average salary over 5 years (vs. 3 years), and retirement age at 60 (vs. 55 for Tier 1). Tier 4 went to a defined contribution plan with some matching and medical kicks in as supplemental to Medicare, you must retire from the system (i.e., can't become vested, quit, work elsewhere and get benefit at retirement), plus you have to pay a portion of the premium.

While the State does have a hiring freeze, there are positions that are exempt from it. This has been the case in most past freezes. I think most municipalities are part of the PERS system and while they may not have a hiring freeze on, many are delaying the filling of positions.

[Chilkoot]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

No. At age 60 you go into Medicare/Medicaid. You have to pay for your own medical insurance when you retire from the State. Even Tier 2 employees, although the State pays a portion of it.

Yes. Tiers 1-3 have medical premiums pad in full by the retirement system as long as the retiree meets the age and minimum years of service. Vision and Dental are optional and would cost.
http://www.state.ak.us/drb/pers/perstieri-ivchart.pdf

[akck]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

No. At age 60 you go into Medicare/Medicaid. You have to pay for your own medical insurance when you retire from the State. Even Tier 2 employees, although the State pays a portion of it.

Medicare doesn't kick in until age 65. For Tiers 1-3, PERS pays the entire medical premium at retirement age. Dental, vision and audio coverage can be purchased separately. At age 65, PERS medical coverage becomes supplemental to Medicare. The only additional cost is that you have to pay the Part B Medicare premium.

I believe in the late 70's or early 80's, the State tried to change the retirement benefits for employees and retirees, charging for some benefits at retirement. The unions took them to court and the State lost. The multi-tiered system was born from this, so new Tiers were created for new to the system employees.

[RayinAK]

Thank you for the clarifications. They told me at work that Medicare kicks in for me at the age of 62 instead of 65, but I have no idea if that's correct. I also assume that I would have to pay extra for my wife's medical insurance once I retire (?).

[blueflames50]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Thank you for the clarifications. They told me at work that Medicare kicks in for me at the age of 62 instead of 65, but I have no idea if that's correct. I also assume that I would have to pay extra for my wife's medical insurance once I retire (?).

ask for copies of the retirement handbook or printed info as it is different for different states, jobs etc. For example...hubby has the rule of 80...years served plus age which lets him collect his full retirement at age 59....he can collect Social Security at 62 but this in our state. Ask for the documentation that gives you benefit info.

[snkalaska]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Thank you for the clarifications. They told me at work that Medicare kicks in for me at the age of 62 instead of 65, but I have no idea if that's correct. I also assume that I would have to pay extra for my wife's medical insurance once I retire (?).

Spouses are covered under Tier I. (no premium)
Tier II, III you can choose to pay the premium before age 60. After 60, spouses are covered.
Retiree Only $631.00 Retiree and Spouse$1,262.00
You also have to pay for dental, vision, audio.
Retiree Only$57.00 Retiree and Spouse $113.00
I'm Tier I and pay DVA.
Medicare becomes primary normally at age 65, but you may become eligible for Medicare before age 65 if you have certain disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease. Once enrolled, AlaskaCare coordinates with Medicare to pay most of your medical expenses.

[akck]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Thank you for the clarifications. They told me at work that Medicare kicks in for me at the age of 62 instead of 65, but I have no idea if that's correct. I also assume that I would have to pay extra for my wife's medical insurance once I retire (?).

Social Security, if qualified, can kick in at age 62. Medicare starts at age 65 unless you're disabled. You need to apply for it either 3 or 6 months in advance of reaching 65, I can't remember which. There are premiums for Part B coverage that you'll have to pay.

Your wife will be covered with no premium once you retire, as long as it's not early retirement and you're not Tier 1. She'll also need to apply for Medicare at age 65.

The PERS plan also makes available coverage for dental, vision and audio, with a premium around $114/mo for both of you, more if there are children. You also have the chance to buy longterm care insurance at retirement for both of you.

[RayinAK]

Thanks for all the information. I do have all the books and such, but that's a lot of reading

[akck]

Originally Posted by RayinAK

Thanks for all the information. I do have all the books and such, but that's a lot of reading

It's hard to find, but start with this link:

The Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

It should give you the general info needed about the retirement system.

This page gives you links to the medical benefits:

AlaskaCare for Retirees | Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits

[jcsnoball]

I work for the government here in south central and feel extremely lucky to have gotten this job. The best advice I can offer, which sounds like common sense, is apply for jobs you have some kind of specialized skills in. That’ll be your in up here. I wouldn't recommend going from being a city planner to wanting to be an Alaskan Park Ranger for the sake of having a nice gov't job.Because folks from the lower 48 bring in unique experiences, have fresh ideas, and know best practices, it gives them the advantage over many who haven't ever left the state and don't have government experience. However, your assumption that gov jobs are somewhat laid back isn't accurate. The office I work in has tons of hoops you have to jump through. They're strict on everything from punctuality to internet usage.