Baltimore city Government offers a comprehensive benefit package for regular (benefit-eligible) employees working at least 30 hours per week. Enrollment into the Baltimore City Government group medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life and AD&D and Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA plans must be completed online within 45 days of employment. Temporary, seasonal and contractual employees working 30 hours or more per week over a 12-month Initial Measurement Period are offered medical and prescription drug coverage only at the end of the initial measurement period. Failure to enroll online within this timeframe will forfeit benefit eligibility until the next open enrollment period. (Qualified life events may permit exceptions.)
This information provides a general outline of benefits available to Baltimore City Government employees. Specific coverage may vary depending on position classification and/or union affiliation.
Medical Insurance
Employees may elect from a variety of medical plans including Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Point of Service (POS) plans. Employees and the City of Baltimore share the cost of the medical premiums. Medical coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit eligible employees and the first day of the following month following the completion of the 12-month Initial Measurement Period for temporary, seasonal and contractual employee working 30 hours or more per week over the 12-month measurement period. Continued eligibility for temporary, seasonal and contractual employee is determined annually over a 12-month Standard Measurement Period from November 1 of current year through October 31 of the following year for coverage effective January 1, if determined eligible.
Prescription Drug
Prescription Drug coverage allows members to receive a 30-day supply at a local participating pharmacy or submit a mail order request for a 90-day supply for a small co-payment. Employees and the City of Baltimore share the cost of the prescription drug premiums. Prescription drug coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees and the first day of the following month following the completion of the 12-month Initial Measurement Period for temporary, seasonal and contractual employee working 30 hours or more per week over the 12-month measurement period. Continued eligibility for temporary, seasonal and contractual employee is determined annually over a 12-month Standard Measurement Period from November 1 of current year through October 31 of the following year for coverage effective January 1, if determined eligible.
Dental Insurance
Dental coverage is available through Delta Dental DHMO at no cost to regular benefit-eligible employees; not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees. Covered services are available with a small co-payment when using in-network dentists. A dental buy-up plan option (DPPO) is available, which means the City and the employee share the cost of the premiums. Dental coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Vision Insurance
Vision coverage is available at no cost to regular benefit-eligible employees; not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees. Coverage includes an eye exam and one pair of eye glasses/contact lenses every two years. Vision coverage is effective on the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Additional Life & AD&D
Additional Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is available to regular benefit-eligible employees (not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees) and is paid completely by the employee. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Basic Life & AD&D
Basic Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is provided at no cost to regular benefit-eligible employees (not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees). Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the completion of one year of service for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Health Care FSA
Regular benefit-eligible employees (not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees) may save pre-tax dollars for reimbursement of eligible dependent care expenses incurred. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Dependent Care FSA
Regular benefit-eligible employees (not temporary, seasonal and contractual employees) may save pre-tax dollars for reimbursement of eligible health care expenses incurred. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the hired date for regular benefit-eligible employees only.
Sick Leave
Benefit-eligible employees accrue sick leave if in pay status at any time during the payroll period containing the employee's monthly anniversary date.
Full-Time employees are credited with 1 day of sick leave for each completed full month of active service.
Part-Time employees are credited with 1 day of sick leave upon completion of 160 hours of active service.
Unused sick leave may be carried over to the next year with no accumulation limit.
Vacation Leave
Benefit-eligible employees accrue vacation leave based upon length of continuous service.
Full-time employees earn vacation leave for each completed month of active service according to the below schedule.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave for each completed 160 hours of active service according to the below schedule.
Years of Earned Vacation per Years of Service
Service Month/ or 160 Hrs Days
0 - 5 1 12
6 - 10 1 ¼ 15
11 or more 1 ½ 18
14 – 18 1 ¾ 21
19 or over 2 24
Unused vacation leave may be carried over to the next year, subject to limits determined by union affiliation.
Personal Leave
Full Time employees will be front-loaded 4 personal leave days at the beginning of each fiscal year. Full Time employees hired after the start of the fiscal year will be front-loaded on a pro-rated allocation.
Month Days Month Days Month Days
July 3.00 August 2.75 September 2.50
October 2.25 November 2.00 December 1.75
January 1.50 February 1.25 March 1.00
April
0.75 May 0.50 June 0.25
Some part time employees may earn ¼ day of personal leave for each completed 160 hours of service. Employees in the Fire Fighter/Officer units are credited with 1 day of personal leave on January 1st of each year.
No personal leave will be carried over the fiscal year.
HolidaysNew Year’s Day
MLK Birthday
President’s Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous People’s Day (formerly Columbus Day)
General Election (every other year)
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
- Members of the Fire Fighters and Fire Officers Unions celebrate only one holiday in February, President's Day. In addition to the holidays listed above, employees of the Baltimore City Police Department also observe Maryland Day, Defender's Day & Veterans Day.
Retirement Plan
Full-Time Employees hired on/after July 1, 2014 are required to participant with into the City's Retirement Savings Plan (RSP). The RSP has two different plan options-a Non-Hybrid and a Hybrid option-to help you financially prepare for your retirement. Simply put, though structured differently, both offer excellent benefits and features, fitting a participant's unique lifestyle and retirement aspirations. It's your choice-and your future. Please visit www.retirewithbaltimore.com.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may elect to contribute to a supplemental retirement savings plan through Greatwest. Plan allows employees to defer a portion of their salary and invest the money on a pre-tax basis. Employees may contribute to this plan immediately upon employment.
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
Employees experiencing personal problems that may be affecting their job performance and quality of life may utilize the confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Through counseling and referral services, the EAP offers an opportunity to make positive changes in life which can reflect positively on work performance and improve their quality of life. Services are FREE to city employees.
Municipal Employee Credit Union (MECU)
Baltimore City employees and their family may join Municipal Employee Credit Union (MECU) to utilize various financial services offered immediately upon hire.
Direct Deposit
Employees may elect to have their pay deposited directly into their bank or credit union accounts at any time throughout employment. Once in effect a deposit advice is produced for each pay period.
Receiving this information is not a guarantee of future or continued employment or benefits. Baltimore City Government reserves the right to terminate or change any plan at any time.