MAKE IT YOUR MISSION
Social Worker Find YOUR Total Reward$ of a VA Career Help Improve Care for Veterans
CHOOSE VA for the Mission At VA, you have more than a job—you have a mission to serve Veterans who’ve borne the battle with honor.
At VA, as a social worker you work within interdisciplinary teams to assist Veterans, their families and caregivers to address social determinants of health. VA social workers utilize bio-psycho-social perspective while building on the Veterans’ strengths and abilities. You help heal and care for Veterans with a focus on recovery and care that empowers Veterans and their families to take charge of their wellbeing and pursue fuller lives.
Coverage Rest easy knowing that VA has you and your family’s insurance needs covered. Insurance coverage may follow you into retirement after 5 years of vested service and maintaining FEHB in the 5 years leading up to retirement (conditions apply).
Career and Growth Opportunities Start your career at VA and benefit from opportunities to build your skills and promotion pathways to other careers in 300 different occupations.
Retirement Benefits
“I chose VA because of the difference you can make within our nation’s Veteran population. I love being a part of the journey of the men and women who selflessly served our country. Being at the VA has been an incredible journey. The VA is constantly innovating, and it truly is a great place to work!”
Get Credit for Military Service
Grecia J. Zuniga PACT Social Worker - VISN 17
As a VA employee, you can choose to carry over eligible military service time that can be added to your total years of creditable service for retirement pension calculation purposes (conditions apply).
Get ready for retirement with the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), employer matched 401k type Thrift Savings Plan, a defined benefit federal pension and Social Security.
SAMPLE
SAMPLE Total Reward$ of a VA Career as a Social Worker Let’s do the math! This Total Reward$ sample is a generalized report reflecting the potential monetized value of a full VA compensation package. Benefits 32%
Compensation + Benefits = Your Total Reward$* Sample Annual Total Reward$ Worksheet Full-time Employee* Direct Compensation Average Salary
Compensation 68%
$89,000
Total Rewards of Benefits Provided by VA
Benefits
Health Insurance Premium Subsidy Social Security Medicare Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
$11,024 $5,518 $1,291 $500
Basic Life Insurance Thrift Savings Plan Federal 401(k) (Employer Contributions) Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) Education Debt Reduction Program (conditions apply, $40k max/yr.) Child Care Program (maximum benefit/conditions apply)
$235 $4,450 $14,774 $_____ $4,992
Annual Total Reward$
$165,457
*This calculation is a sample only and does not constitute a contract of employment or a guarantee of benefits or future employment. Certain elements vary and are based on specific circumstances. If your service includes part-time calculations, your total rewards and benefits will be proportionally prorated. For more information, please see www.opm.gov.
Take time off. At VA, you start your career with 37 to 50 days of paid time off each year. Paid vacation, unlimited accumulated paid sick leave and 11 paid federal holidays accrue right away.
Value of Paid Time Off Total annual combined value of paid holidays, sick leave and annual leave (37 – 50 days):
$12,623 - $17,058 Total value of parental paid leave (12 weeks, if taken):
$20,470 Paid leave is not an additional payment but is a value of your paid time off included in your annual salary based on an 8-hour day.
Paid Parental Leave. VA provides up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child for employees covered by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provisions. Student Loan Reimbursement. As a VA employee, you gain access to education debt reduction program (max of $40,000/year and up to $200,000), reimbursement and comprehensive education support programs. Veterans Canteen Service (VCS). VA employees enjoy tax-free shopping at VCS retail stores, cafes and coffee shops. Shopping online? Visit www.ShopVCS.com for exclusive deals on name brands like YETI, Dell, Under Armour and more. Take advantage of VCS’s interest-free employee deduction card PatriotPlus—accepted at VCS business lines.
Compensation
Social Security paid by VA = 6.2% of taxable wages on behalf of the employee. If an individual has taxable wages over the taxable maximum of $147,000, VA will contribute $9,114. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) = free legal and medical services Medicare paid by VA = 1.45% on behalf of the employee. FSAFEDS Flexible Spending Account = you may contribute up to $2,850 a year to your health care FSA with a $570 max carry over and save up to 30% on dependent care expenses. Life Insurance = VA pays 1/3 of insurance cost for basic life insurance. Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Federal 401(k) = VA provides up to 5% employer matched/automated contributions to your savings plan. Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) = for employees hired after 1/1/2014, VA contributes 16.6% annually to FERS-FRAE basic/defined benefit. VHA National Child Care Program = assists VA employees in balancing work and family responsibilities. After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $149,000 may be eligible for childcare subsidy program (conditions apply). Transit Benefit Program. You may qualify for transit subsidy monthly benefits of a max of $280/month; check with your local VA Medical Center (conditions apply).