Retirement Plan & Matching Contributions

Baptist Health offers a 403(b) retirement plan for those employed by the not-for-profit affiliates of the organization, and a 401(k) retirement plan for those employed by the for-profit Baptist Health Enterprises.  You’re automatically enrolled in the plan on your date of hire.  Beginning with your second paycheck, Baptist Health will deduct 4 percent of your pay, pre-tax, and deposit it into your retirement account.  If you choose not to participate in the plan, or if you want to contribute more or less than 4 percent, you must change this contribution.

Each year, Baptist Health automatically contributes 3 percent of your annual compensation to your retirement account (if you work 1,000 hours and are on the payroll as of Dec. 31 of the calendar year).  Baptist Health also matches what you contribute: 50 percent of up to 4 percent of your annual compensation.  For example, if you contribute 4 percent of your eligible earnings, Baptist Health will contribute an additional 2 percent of those earnings.  Also, under certain conditions, you may borrow money from your retirement plan without penalty.  All money that you contribute through payroll deductions is always 100 percent vested (owned by you).  You become vested in your retirement account — that is, you own the money that Baptist Health contributes to it — after three years of service.

Baptist Health also has AIG Retirement representatives assigned to each campus.  They offer free monthly financial seminars and can consult one-on-one with you on your personal finances, free of charge.

The Home Buyer’s Pineapple Perk

This Baptist Health employee benefit can help you buy a home.  The Home Buyer’s Pineapple Perk is offered to employees who are eligible for Baptist Health benefits and who haven’t owned a home in Miami-Dade or Monroe Counties for three years prior to applying.  Payments range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on whether you’re in a difficult-to-fill position and whether you live and work in Miami-Dade or Monroe.  You also must complete a home buying class and remain employed with Baptist Health for two to three years (if you don’t, you must pay back the benefit on a prorated basis).

Personal Financial Education

Baptist Health offers seminars, bulletins and e-mailed information with helpful tips on managing personal finances, including household budgeting, ways to avoid foreclosure, and the importance of saving and avoiding debt.

Adoption Benefit

Employees seeking to adopt children through the legal adoption process may qualify for financial assistance up to $10,000 per adoption per year, for a maximum of two adoptions.  This assistance helps cover costs including legal fees, agency fees, travel and lodging costs, and immigration. 

Sunshine Fund

Employees having financial difficulties may contact the Pastoral Care office at any hospital site for assistance.  The Sunshine Fund contains money given by co-workers and other generous donors.  Based upon employee need, Pastoral Care may issue interest-free loans.

Elective PTO Cash-outs

You may electively cash out up to 80 hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) in June or December.  (Employees with 10 or more years of service may cash out up to 120 hours.) You make the election during the annual enrollment period for your Pineapple Perks. 

Emergency PTO Cash-outs

Employees in need of immediate cash may be eligible for help from Baptist Health’s PTO Emergency Cash-out policy.  Reasons include medical expenses from accident or illness, imminent loss of home, the impact of catastrophes such as those caused by fire, floods, hurricanes, vehicle purchase or repair (more than $500), or legal fees for domestic or child custody issues.  You also can cash out PTO to buy a principal residence or for yearly college tuition expenses for yourself, your spouse or dependent children.  Because of tax laws, these cash-outs include a 6 percent reduction that is donated to the Sunshine Fund.

Employee Referral Program

You can earn a bonus of up to $2,000 if you recommend a successful candidate through Baptist Health’s Employee Referral Program.  From time to time, Human Resources offers special Double Dollar Bonuses, doubling referral payments during specified periods for difficult-to-fill positions such as respiratory therapist.

Government-mandated Payments

Baptist Health pays on your behalf an amount equal to what employees pay for Social Security and Medicare health insurance taxes.  Baptist Health also pays the costs associated with state unemployment and Worker’s Compensation.

Direct Deposits and Payroll Deductions

You can make arrangements with Human Resources or Payroll to have your payroll check deposited directly into your personal bank account.  You also can arrange for payroll deductions for the Credit Union and child care.  All part-time and full-time regular status employees are eligible for payroll deduction privileges in the hospital gift shops and cafeterias after one month of employment.

Credit Union

The Baptist Health South Florida Federal Credit Union has services at each hospital, including free checking, MasterCard, ATM, low-cost personal loans, as well as auto loans and second mortgage loans.

The Florida Prepaid College Plan

If you’re looking for a way to pay for your child’s college education, the Florida Prepaid College Plan lets you lock in the cost of college at today’s prices.  After you enroll in the plan, you can arrange to have your payments deducted automatically from your Baptist Health paycheck. 

Employee Discounts

Discounts for many services and products in the community, as well as for many resorts and attractions throughout Florida, are available through the Credit Union.  Baptist Health also maintains a list of local businesses that offer employees discounts for their products and services.

On-Campus Discounted Food Services

Baptist Health offers convenient employee cafeterias at each of the hospitals and at the Corporate Offices.  Employees get a 50 percent discount when they show their badges.  In addition, there is a daily Wellness Advantage meal – a healthy meal that includes a bottle of Baptist Health spring water – for only $3.

Free Parking

All Baptist Health work locations offer free parking for employees.

Transit Program

Transit passes are available to employees at a 50 percent or more discount to ride Miami-Dade public transit as well as Broward County's Tri-Rail public transportation system.  (Mariners Hospital employees who commute from Florida City and Homestead can get their transit passes for free.)  You also can purchase discounted parking passes for public transit parking lots. The cost of the passes is payroll deducted. And by registering with South Florida Commuter Services, you may be eligible for up to six free taxi rides per year, to use in case of emergencies.