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Doesn't stuff cost a lot more in Alaska because of transportation?
My cousin worked up there several years for Shell and loved it.
Yes stuff costs a lot more here. Despite the oil we are paying $4.36 a gallon right now for unleaded and it is going to go up even more this week. Food is about 30% higher across the board, utilities about 25% higher, auto insurance about 50% higher and so on. I guess I was just shocked to find the costs associated with covering the rest of the family. My wife and I have decided to just buy a private policy with a $10,000 deductible which we can afford in the event something major comes along. Better then loosing it all. Quoted $220 a month for wife and child with a $10,000 deductible. For everyday medical stuff we will just go to the clinic and pay out of pocket.
By the way, I was offered a counselor position. The pay is fair, just not sure about the benefits. When I was recruited by Wake, they said, and I quote....."We offer some of the most generous benefits in the US." I'll have to let them know I repectfully disagree.
In this day and time with all the economic doom and gloom on the horizon, I'm just happy to be offered a job.
I think the issue is Alaska. Nice state, but maybe they have to offer greater benefits to attract teachers?
Alaska is a special case due to their oil revenues. Oil pretty much pays for state govt, so they are able to offer good benefits. Not only does Alaska not have an income tax, they also offer a rebate on the oil revenues above and beyond state expenditures. So, you get paid by the state of Alaska to live there.
Alaska is a special case due to their oil revenues. Oil pretty much pays for state govt, so they are able to offer good benefits. Not only does Alaska not have an income tax, they also offer a rebate on the oil revenues above and beyond state expenditures. So, you get paid by the state of Alaska to live there.
Well they have to do all that because cost of living is very high
People who are young and even older folks who have perfect medical histories have no problem finding affordable health insurance. Throw in a preexisting medical condition, however, and it is a whole different story. The benefit of employer based insurance (and part of the reason it is more expensive) is that all comers are covered, and pay the same cost.
That's why my husband won't leave the State. He's been a state employee 11-12 years now. Both of my daughters and I all have asthma. Throw in all my other health "issues" going on right now and we'd never be able to be covered by anyone else---at least nothing we'd ever be able to afford! The $488/month is worth it to know we're covered no matter what!
As a society we tend to think that Health Insurance can only be provided by our employers, but that is wrong. When I was considering a job with WCPSS I found cheaper health insurance with private companies; Blue Cross Blue Shield was one.
Maybe so, but if benefits costs go up that much from your employer, and you have to go outside to get better rates, you are, in effect, lowering your total compensation. So, you make less than you did the year before.
Maybe so, but if benefits costs go up that much from your employer, and you have to go outside to get better rates, you are, in effect, lowering your total compensation. So, you make less than you did the year before.
Exactly my point! Heck, I'm not trying to say that the Gov't owes us more than they should (I'm a capitalist), but when you can go outside of the Govt. healthcare plan and spend $100 a month to insure your child with BCBS, why would you spend $350-400 a month to have almost the same benefits within the state govt? Bottom line is that most companies in RTP have better benefits that the NC state govt. (minus the pension plan which you HAVE TO pay 6% into). To think that a school recruiter would tell someone they have some of the best benefits in the USA is laughable. Best benefits compared to what? The benefits are adequate, but they are no where near the best in the US.
They list healthcare as a perk, but if you're paying $400 a month to insure one healthy child, how is that giving us anything?
So, is the general thought that employers should contribute to the health insurance of entire families not just the employee? What happens to the single, childless employee? Why should their total compensation be less just because he/she doesn't have a child?
I'm not anti-family or anti-child and I believe everyone should have access to affordable health insurance. I just wanted to toss out the other side of the coin for consideration.
I think its a shame that teachers are not compensated enough for their jobs. Here on Long Island teachers starting salary is 50,000 and a lot of teachers here make well over 80,000. Teachers pay into their health benefits but its a small percentage. Teaching is one of the most important jobs, and it can often be a very difficult job. Plus here in NY you cannot teach without having your master's degree, so its expensive to become a teacher. I hope the country starts to value teachers more, and pay them what they deserve.
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