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Friday, March 29, 2024

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Hon. Michael McShane, Chief Judge

Melissa Aubin, Clerk of Court

Employee Benefits

Pay is only part of the total compensation package you will receive while working for the federal Judiciary. We offer employees a diverse group of benefit programs and family friendly flexibilities to meet the needs of you and your family.  The following benefits are based on permanent, full-time positions covered by the leave act.

Health Benefits

The Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan offers employees the option to participate in these types of health insurance plans: a Fee-For-Service Plan, Health Maintenance Plan, Consumer Driven Plan or High Deductible Plan. Participation is voluntary. New employees have 60 days from commencement of employment to enroll. Health insurance coverage is effective at the beginning of the following pay period the employee submits his or her election form. The Government shares the cost of the total premium up to 75% regardless of the plan the employee selects. Also, employees are able to participate in the Premium Conversion program which allows for payment of health premiums on a pre-tax basis.

Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program

The Federal Employees Dental/Vision Insurance Program is available to an employee and eligible family members on an enrollee-pay-all basis. This program allows dental and vision insurance to be purchased on a group basis, which means competitive premiums and no pre-existing condition limitations. Premiums for enrollees are deducted on a pre-tax basis.

Flexible Spending Account

This account consists of the Health Care Reimbursement Account and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account.

The Health Care Reimbursement Account is used to set aside pre-taxed money in order to reimburse costs that are not covered by the medical, dental, or optical portion of the employee's health insurance.

The Dependent Care Reimbursement Account is used to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible expenses such as a daycare provider for your children or other IRS-recognized dependents while you (and your spouse if applicable) work or attend school full-time.

Annual Leave/Vacation

The number of days of accrued annual leave per year for full-time employees are as follows:

Years of Service

Accrued Annual Leave

Less Than 3 Years

4 Hours Per Pay Period (13 Days Per Year)

3 - 15 Year

6 Hours Per Pay Period (20 Days Per Year)

15+ Years

8 Hours Per Pay Period (26 Days Per Year)

Sick Leave

Every full-time employee receives 4 hours of accrued paid sick leave per pay period regardless of the number of years they have served with the U.S. District Court.

Commuter Benefits Program

This program assists employees with the cost of commuting to and from work. Employees are able to pay for certain parking expenses incurred using pre-taxed money. Employees may set up a Parking Reimbursement Account.

Employee Transit Subsidy Program

The Employee Transit Subsidy Program encourages the use of public transportation for commuting to and from work. The intent of the Program is to offer a benefit to employees who use public transportation as their primary means of transportation to and from work. The Program allows eligible employees to receive monthly mass transit passes, valued at an amount not to exceed the maximum monthly tax-free amount allowed by the IRS, for commuting to and from their permanent duty stations.  This program is subject to local court funding and is not a nationally funded program.

Life Insurance

All new employees are automatically enrolled in the Basic Option of the Federal Employees Life Insurance Program unless the employee opts to waive insurance entitlement. If an employee waives their insurance entitlement and later decides to participate in the plan, the employee must wait until an Open Enrollment period or obtain a physical from a certified physician before becoming eligible for enrollment. The life insurance plan also offers employees the option to purchase additional coverage. The Government pays one third of the cost of the employee's Basic term life insurance.

Retirement Program

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

Eligible employees participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System. This program is comprised of three components: Social Security, a Basic Benefit, and the Thrift Savings Plan. The Basic Benefit and Social Security parts of FERS require an employee hired after January 1, 2014, to pay their share each pay period: 4.4% (4.9% for Law Enforcement Officers) of gross pay to the Basic Benefit Plan and 6.2% to Social Security. The third component of the FERS program is dedicated to the Thrift Savings Plan.

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

The Thrift Savings Plan is similar to a 401(k) plan in that it allows employees to participate in a defined contribution retirement savings and investment plan. Eligible employees may enroll in the Thrift Savings Plan immediately upon employment the U.S. Courts in the District of Oregon. Employee contributions are matched by the Government up to 5% of base pay.

Federal Holidays

Each year the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon observes a minimum of 11 paid holidays. These holidays are:

  • New Years Day, January 1st
  • Martin Luther King Day, 3rd Monday in January
  • Washington's Birthday, 3rd Monday in February
  • Memorial Day, Last Monday in May
  • Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19th
  • Independence Day, July 4th
  • Labor Day, 1st Monday in September
  • Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day, 2nd Monday in October
  • Veterans Day, November 11th
  • Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in November
  • Christmas Day, December 25th

Additional Benefits

There are a few other programs available to employees in addition to the programs listed above. Employees enter these other programs as private consumers. These benefits include:

  • Long Term Care Insurance
  • Opportunity to join the Credit Union
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Fitness Center (depends on location)
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Occupational Health Center
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program