Explore Health, Dental, and Vision Plans
Health Benefits
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) administers health insurance for state employees, offering a variety of health plans to choose from. The state covers a portion of the premium cost, making health coverage more affordable for employees.
Eligibility for Health Benefits
Employees are eligible for health benefits if they have an appointment lasting more than six months (at least six months and one day) and work half-time or more. Eligible employees have 60 calendar days from their appointment date or a qualifying event to enroll in a health plan or during the Open Enrollment period.
Dental Benefits
State-Sponsored Dental Insurance
State employees and their eligible dependents may qualify for state-sponsored dental insurance through a selection of available plans. Employees can enroll in a dental plan within the first 60 days of employment or make changes during the annual Open Enrollment period.
Eligibility & Coverage
Your collective bargaining designation determines which dental plans are available to you. The state covers all or part of the premium cost, depending on the plan you choose and the number of dependents you enroll.
Vision Benefits
State Vision Program
As a permanent state employee working half-time or more, you are eligible for the State Vision Program, which provides coverage for an eye exam, lenses, and frames once every calendar year.
Vision Plan Options
The state offers two vision plan options:
- Basic Vision Plan – Provided at no cost to employees.
- Premier Vision Plan – Available for a small monthly fee, offering enhanced coverage and additional benefits.
Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)
The Consolidated Benefits (CoBen) Program provides a single employer contribution that covers your health, dental, and vision benefits. This benefit allowance is automatically applied through the State Controller’s (SCO) payroll system, so no enrollment form is required.
Compensation Plus
Summary of Benefits for Managers, Supervisors, Confidential, and Excluded Employees
CalHR establishes salaries, employment terms, and benefits for excluded employees, including managers, supervisors, and confidential employees.
This summary provides an overview of the many benefits and programs available to excluded employees. However, it is not a comprehensive guide, as policies and benefits may be updated through the collective bargaining process.
Compensation & Pay Differentials
- Bilingual Pay Differential
- Night-Shift Differential
- Out-of-Class Assignment Pay
- Out-of-State Pay Differential
- Out-of-State Relocation Pay
- Special Salary Adjustments
- Performance Bonuses
- Superior & Sustained Superior Accomplishment Awards
Retirement & Savings Benefits
- Savings Plus Program – 401(k) & 457(b) Deferred Compensation
- Part-Time, Seasonal, and Temporary (PST) Retirement Program
- CalPERS Retirement Benefits
- Retirement Planning & Service Credit Purchases
- Sick Leave Conversion Upon Retirement
- Disability & Death Benefits
- Partial Service Retirement
- Retirement Benefit Limits (Per IRS Code)
- Health Benefits in Retirement
- Special Provisions for Patrol, Peace Officer/Firefighter, and Safety Members
Leave Benefits
- Annual Leave & Vacation Accrual
- Sick Leave
- Bereavement Leave
- Catastrophic Leave
- Leave Buy-Back Programs
- Mentoring Leave
- Personal Leave Program
- Professional Development Days
Insurance Benefits
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Administered by CalPERS)
- Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)
- FlexElect Program
- Group Legal Services Insurance
- Life & Long-Term Disability Insurance
- COBRA Continuation Coverage
- Domestic Partner Coverage
- Premium Only Plan (POP)
- Travel Insurance
Disability & Workers’ Compensation Benefits
- Nonindustrial Disability Insurance (NDI) & NDI with Annual Leave
- Industrial Disability Leave & Temporary Disability
- Permanent Disability & Workers' Compensation Benefits
- Death Benefits for Industrial Injuries
Business & Travel Expense Reimbursements
- Moving & Relocation Expenses
- Travel Expense Reimbursement
- Private Vehicle Use
Professional Fee Reimbursements
- Bar Fees
- Professional Society Dues
Additional Employee Programs & Perks
- 25-Year Service & Retirement Award
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Commute Program
- Employee Suggestion Program
- Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program
- ScholarShare College Savings Program
- Special Act or Special Service Award
- Wellness Programs
CoBen Cash - "Cash Option"
Employees may choose to receive cash instead of state-sponsored health and/or dental insurance. However, employees cannot receive cash in lieu of dental coverage alone. To qualify for the CoBen Cash Option, employees must certify they have qualifying group health and/or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, or another source.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, the alternate health plan must be a group health plan that meets the minimum value standards set by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This means the plan must cover at least 60% of total allowed costs.
Eligible Coverage
- Employer-sponsored health plans
- Employee organization-sponsored health plans
Ineligible Coverage
Employees covered under individual health plans are not eligible for CoBen Cash, even if they meet ACA’s minimum value standards. This includes:
- TRICARE
- Medicare
- Medi-Cal
- Covered California
Cash Payment Amounts
Employees opting for the CoBen Cash Option will receive taxable monthly payments as follows:
- $155 per month in lieu of both health and dental insurance
- $130 per month in lieu of health insurance only