Welcome to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane! We in Onboarding know that your federal benefits are of primary importance to you. The federal government has an exceptional benefits package, and we want you to take full advantage of all of these benefits. That’s why we would like for you to begin reading and learning about your benefits before you come on-board.

At a minimum, please review your New Employee Benefits Information and compare the different health insurance plans.

You’ll be able to enroll in benefits as soon as your federal new hire forms are fully processed by our off-site Human Resources Servicing Center. Benefits typically take effect beginning with your third week of employment. TIME IS AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION SINCE YOU WILL NOT HAVE MEDICAL COVERAGE UNTIL YOU MAKE AN ELECTION AND THE NEXT FULL PAY PERIOD BEGINS.


The following benefits are available to permanent employees:

Health Insurance: Many health plans are available from which to select coverage as well as a flexible spending account; long term care insurance; and dental and vision insurance programs. For health plans, most enrollees pay only one-fourth of the total health benefits costs, depending on the plan that you choose and is withheld from the employee's bi-weekly pay. Annual "open season" periods permit enrollment changes. Be sure to compare different health plans in order to select the best plan for you.

Life Insurance: Most civilian employees are eligible to participate in the Basic Life and other additional options offered by Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance (FEGLI). Generally, basic coverage is effective the first day employee enters into a pay status. Basic insurance premiums are shared by the employee and the government based on the Basic Insurance Amount. The Employee's share is two-thirds of the total cost and is withheld from bi-weekly withholding. The government's share is one-third of the total premium payment. Be sure to calculate the cost of your life insurance in order to select the best plan for you. For more detailed information, visit OPM’s FEGLI website.

Retirement: Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) includes a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) option that allows tax-deferred contributions up to Individual Retirement Account (IRA) limit of $17,500.00 of your salary with a matching agency contribution of five percent. It is similar to a 401K. If you will be age 50 or over in 2013, you can also contribute up to $5,500.00 in additional "catch-up" contributions, as long as your regular contributions for the year are expected to reach the $17,500.00 limit.

Military Leave: Two weeks of military leave annually for all armed forces reservists.

The following benefits are available to permanent and temporary employees:

Vacation Time (Annual Leave): The following table shows the vacation accrual rate for Federal employees:

NO. OF YEARS OF SERVICE VACATION TIME EARNED PER YEAR
0-3 Years 13 Days
More than 3 years to 15 years 20 Days
Greater than 15 years 26 Days

NOTE: Employees with previous military or Federal service may receive additional years' credit toward annual leave accrual.
NOTE: Temporary appointments must be for at least 90 days to receive vacation time.

Paid Holidays: Ten days are approved as legal holidays for Federal employees.

Sick Leave: Federal employees earn 13 days of sick leave a year at a rate of four hours every two weeks. There is no limit to the amount of sick leave that can accumulate, i.e., unused sick leave earned but not used can be carried into subsequent years and accumulated during the entire period of employment.

Family Friendly Leave policy allows leave for necessary family problems.

Work Schedule:

      Compressed Work Schedule: A "pay period" consists of two weeks or 80 hours. Many employees work a compressed work schedule (eight nine-hour days and one eight-hour day) and enjoy one day off every two weeks. The start time for compressed employees ranges from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Flexible Work Schedule: Employees who elect to work all ten days during the pay period also have flexible work hours. Start time ranges from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

Paid overtime and compensatory time for hours exceeding those in a "normal" workweek.

Please read additional information concerning benefits: Employees New To The Federal Government