Employee Benefits

The City of Kirkland offers a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package:

Health and Welfare Benefits

 

Medical and Prescription - 100% paid premiums for eligible employees and dependents
Kaiser Permanente (HMO)
Healthcare Management Administrators (HDHP)
Mail Order Pharmacy

Offsite Employee Health Center and Nurseline - 100% paid premiums for eligible employees and dependents 
Vera Whole Health

Dental - 100% paid premiums for eligible employees and dependents
Willamette Dental Group (DMO)
Delta Dental of Washington (PPO)

Vision - 100% paid premiums for eligible employees and dependents
Vision Service Plan

Health Reimbursement Arrangement VEBA or MERP - City-funded tax-free health account

Flexible Spending Accounts - optional Health Care and Dependent Care pre-tax accounts

Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment - 100% paid premiums; coverage of 2x annual salary

Voluntary Life Insurance - optional supplementary life insurance protection offered at competitive rates

Long Term Disability Insurance - supplemental income if disabled due to illness or injury

Life Insurance Certificate (Basic and Voluntary) #FLX966323c01(PDF, 127KB)

ADD Certificate (Basic and Voluntary) #OK967861c01(PDF, 91KB)

Group Long Term Disability Certificate (Basic and Voluntary) #LK964339c01(PDF, 93KB)

Employee Assistance and Work/Life Support Programs - free 24/7 access to work and life services and resources

CuraLinc
NY Life - Employee Assistance and Wellness Support

*Costs of benefits may vary based on the applicable bargaining unit and/or part-time status*  

Retirement Savings and Deferred Compensation

Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT) - voluntary 401(k) plan with City matching contribution up to 6.2% of annual income. After 3 years of participation, City matching contribution fully vests 

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems plans (DRS) - PERS 2 or 3, LEOFF and PSERS retirement plans through pre-tax deductions

MissionSquare Retirement - 457 deferred compensation plan allows employees to contribute to a pre-tax retirement plan

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration program and employees do not earn social security credits.  The mandatory DRS retirement plan provides the required social security replacement plan.  Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced if they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension.

Paid Leaves

  • 11 holidays
  • One floating holiday 
  • Community service day
  • Accrued Vacation 
  • Accrued Sick 
  • Bereavement 
  • Jury Duty 
  • Military Leave       

 *Benefits may vary based on the applicable bargaining unit*

Perks - Including childcare programs!

Early Learning Center at Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech)

LWIT Logo
Only 15 minutes from City Hall, the ELC offers childcare from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children 1.5 to 6 years old. The Early Learning Center is located on the LWTech campus and offers licensed, high-quality early learning programs.

  • Employees receive approximately a 10% discount on childcare tuition, which can mean annual savings of $1,500–$1,800, depending on your child’s age and schedule.  

 

More information is available here. 

Learning Care Group

 LCG Logo

With 9 locations within 20 miles of Kirkland, Early Learning Care childcare centers offer care for ages 0-12. ELC offers many types of care from full time infant care to before and after school care and even camps on school breaks. 

  • Employees receive potential annual savings of up to $2,200 with 
  • Waived first-year registration fees, and 
  • A 10% discount on childcare rates. 

 

More information is available here. 

Additional Perks!

  • Alternative work schedules 
  • Free EV Charging at Level 2 and 3 chargers
  • Free ORCA card for public transit
  • Access to onsite fitness center and secure bike storage at City Hall
  • Free employee parking
  • Wellness and transportation incentives

 

2026 Benefits Overview Booklets and Summary Plan Descriptions:

 

 

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