Benefits Available to Chicago Region Employees

Benefits for all SSA/Chicago Region Employees

Annual and Sick Leave:  Employees earn 4 hours of annual leave every two week pay period (this increases to 6 hours after 3 years of Federal service and 8 hours after 15 years of Federal service).  Employees also earn 4 hours of sick leave every pay period.

Credit Hours: With supervisory authorization, employees are allowed to work from ¼ to 2½ credit hours (depending on work location) daily after they complete their regular workday.

Federal Holidays: Employees are entitled to ten paid holidays each year.

Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) Employees can enroll in an approved group health benefits plan, regardless of age, health status or pre-existing medical condition.  Dental and eye care plans are also available.

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI): All employees are covered under FEGLI Basic Life Insurance, unless waived. FEGLI is equal to an employee’s annual basic pay rounded to the next $1000 plus $2000.  Optional coverage packages are available for additional premium fees.

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS): FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan consisting of Social Security benefits, a Basic Annuity Plan and a Thrift Savings Plan.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees eligible for the FEHB can use pre-tax deductions to pay for certain medical and dental expenses that are not reimbursed by another source and not claimed on their income tax return. Employees who elect to participate in FSA will be able to set aside an annual amount of salary to be contributed to their FSA.

Long Term Care Insurance: Employees can purchase insurance that is intended to help them pay for long term care services in the event of an extended illness, injury or age-related disease.

Locality Pay:  All employees in the Chicago metropolitan area are entitled to the general schedule locality pay.  Current Chicago locality pay rates are available at http://www.opm.gov/oca/07tables/html/chi.asp.

Transit Subsidy: A transit subsidy is offered to employees who use public transportation (for instance, the CTA or METRA) while commuting to and from work.

Benefits for Employees at the Harold Washington Social Security Center (HWSSC)

Windy City Kids Child Development Center: The Windy City Kids Child Development Center is a high quality and affordable child development and day care center for children ages six weeks to five years.

Windy City Workout Fitness Center: The Windy City Workout Fitness Center is a fee-based, all-purpose fitness center. It also provides HWSSC employees with professional assistance, personal exercise programs, and health education/wellness activities. The Center is open workdays from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Federal Credit Union: The HWSSC Federal Credit Union offers a range of financial services including savings, checking, certificates of deposit and individual retirement accounts. The Credit Union is open workdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm (8:00 am to 2:00 pm on paydays).

HWSSC Health Unit: The HWSSC Health Unit provides a range of health services and programs for HWSSC employees.  It is open workdays from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm unless otherwise posted. 

HWSSC Employee Assistance Program: The HWSSC Employee Assistance Program provides direct counseling and referral services to all employees and their families.