Employee Benefits
Along with challenging work in one of the world's premier regulatory organizations, you will get a lot more than just a paycheck. Check out these links for details on some of the benefits that NRC employees enjoy:
- Competitive Compensation
- Paid Time Off
- Retirement Plans
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Insurance Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Recruitment Bonus
- Relocation Expenses for New Employees
- Student Loan Repayment
- Union Representation
Competitive Compensation
The NRC offers pay rates that are competitive with the private sector, which includes annual pay increases, longevity raises, and the possibility of cash awards and bonuses. Salary for new employees depends on the grade and geographic area of the position you are selected for, as well as any prior Federal or private sector experience you may have. For the complete listing of NRC pay schedules check out the Salaries and Career Advancement page.
Paid Time Off
Annual Leave
All full-time employees earn from 2.5 to 5 weeks of paid vacation per year depending upon their years of Federal service. Part-time employees accrue leave hours depending on their work schedule.
Sick Leave
All full-time employees earn 13 paid sick days per year, which can be used for personal illness, care of sick family members, adoption, and medical appointments.
Holidays
All full-time employees enjoy 10 paid holidays per year.
Retirement Plans
The NRC has two retirement plans. The first is for NRC employees who were Federal employees before December 31, 1983 and is called the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The CSRS is a defined benefit system with no portability outside the Federal sector and with no benefits for employees who do not stay until retirement.
The second retirement plan and only system available to new employees is the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS recognizes that not all Federal employees stay long enough to qualify for retirement, so it is a three-tiered design with portable benefits. The basic components of FERS are (1) Social Security; (2) automatic enrollment in the Thrift Savings Plan; and (3) a defined benefit (Basic Annuity) element based on years of service, pay level, and age at retirement.
Thrift Savings Plan
The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees. The purpose of the TSP is to provide retirement income. It offers Federal civilian employees the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under ''401(k)'' plans.
The TSP is a defined contribution plan. The retirement income that you receive from your TSP account will depend on how much you (and your agency, if you are a FERS employee) have contributed to your account during your working years and the earnings on these contributions. The contributions that you make to your TSP account are voluntary and are separate from your contributions to your FERS Basic Annuity or CSRS annuity.
Insurance Benefits
As a new/newly eligible Federal employee, you may be able to enroll in health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and/or apply for long term care insurance. OPM provides a snapshot of insurance benefits with basic information about each program. You can find more comprehensive information at OPM's Insurance Programs page or at the Guide to Federal Benefits page.
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides professional counseling services for NRC employees who are experiencing personal problems that may be affecting their ability to perform on the job. The program offers assessment, referral, short-term counseling, and follow-up for employees dealing with family and marital problems, substance abuse, stress, depression, and many other personal challenges.
All employees of NRC may use the program at any time. Employees are encouraged to contact an EAP professional whenever they are experiencing personal problems. In many situations, family members of NRC employees are also eligible for the services of the program. Supervisors and managers may also seek the guidance of the EAP to help determine the appropriateness of referring employees who may be experiencing work performance and conduct changes due to personal problems.
Recruitment Bonus
For entry level engineers and scientists and certain other "hard-to-fill" positions, the NRC may provide a one-time recruitment bonus. Employees receiving a recruitment bonus incur a service obligation.
Relocation Expenses for New Employees
For certain "hard-to-fill" positions, some relocation expenses may be authorized. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. Employees receiving relocation expenses incur a service obligation.
Student Loan Repayment
The NRC may pay a portion of an employee's federally guaranteed student loan. Employees for whom student loan expenses are paid incur a service obligation.
Union Representation
The National Treasury Employees Union is the exclusive representative for many employees at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Those employees may contact NTEU for further information on their services.
