Welcome to State Service!
Your benefits. Your wellbeing. Your life well lived.
Your employee benefits are shaped around five key elements that support your total wellbeing: career, social, financial, physical and community wellbeing. These elements can help you find balance and purpose in both your personal and professional life.
Your wellbeing matters, and your benefits are here to support you every step of the way.
This page has what you need to get to know your options and make informed decisions. The personnel specialist within your department is there to help and guide you through the enrollment process
Find your departmental personnel office.
Two Things to Know First:
60-day enrollment window
You have 60 days from your date of hire to enroll in health, dental, vision and other benefits.
Your bargaining unit and designation
Your bargaining unit and employee designation determine which benefits you’re eligible for and what they cost. If you’re not sure what yours are, ask your personnel specialist.
Start Here
Find the forms you need to enroll in your benefits and use the checklist to keep a personal record of your elections.
Get an overview of your benefit options to help you choose the coverage that is right for you.
Explore and compare plans to fit your budget and needs utilizing the Benefits Calculator.
Benefits You Need To Act on Within 60 days
Health
Health coverage is administered through CalPERS. You choose a plan and the state pays part of the premium. If you don’t enroll or decline within 60 days, you’ll need to wait for the next Open Enrollment.
Learn more: Health benefits page
Dental
Dental plans require enrollment within 60 days of hire or you’ll need to wait for the next Open Enrollment. You choose from a Prepaid, PPO, or Indemnity plan depending on your bargaining unit.
Learn more: Dental benefits page
Premier Vision
You’re automatically enrolled in Basic vision coverage at no cost. Upgrading to the Premier plan, which covers more, is optional. If you want Premier coverage, you must enroll within 60 days of hire or wait until the next Open Enrollment.
Learn more: Vision benefits page
Dependent Verification
If you’re adding a spouse, domestic partner, or children to any of your plans, you’ll need to verify their eligibility. Your personnel specialist can walk you through submitting the Dependent Verification Form.
Cash Options
If you already have health or dental coverage through another source, like a spouse’s plan, you may be able to get cash instead of state coverage.
Learn more: (ADD CASH OPTION LANDING PAGE)
Reimbursement Accounts (FlexElect)
These accounts let you set aside pre-tax money for medical or dependent care costs, which lowers your taxable income. You must enroll within 60 days of your date of hire or during Open Enrollment.
Learn more: FlexElect Reimbursement Accounts page
Group Legal Insurance
Connects you with attorneys and legal resources for personal legal issues. You must enroll within 60 days of your date of hire or during Open Enrollment.
Learn more: Group Legal Services page
Benefits You Can Enroll in Anytime
Supplemental Life Insurance
If you’re an eligible excluded employee, you already have basic life insurance automatically. Supplemental life insurance lets you buy more coverage through MetLife.
Learn more: Group Term Life Insurance page
Long-Term Disability Insurance
For eligible excluded employees. Replaces part of your income if you can’t work for six months or more due to illness or injury.
Learn more: Long-Term Disability Insurance page
Pet Insurance
Help protect your furry friend from unexpected veterinary expenses, including coverage for accidents, illnesses and routine care.
Learn more: Pet Insurance page
Pre-Tax Parking
If you are a state employee who does not have access to state-controlled or owned (DGS, Caltrans, etc.) parking spaces or a department-sponsored parking program and pay for work-related parking, you can set aside pre-tax money to cover it.
Learn more: Pre-Tax Parking page
Savings Plus (401k/457b)
A retirement savings program that works alongside your CalPERS pension. As a new hire, you can enroll in Savings Plus at any time after you become eligible. Choose pre-tax or Roth (after-tax) payroll contributions to supplement your retirement benefits.
Learn more: Retirement & Voluntary Savings page
Automatic, No Action Needed
Basic Life Insurance
Eligible excluded employees are automatically enrolled in basic life insurance through MetLife, at no cost.
Learn more: Group Term Life Insurance page
Basic Vision
You’re automatically enrolled in Basic vision coverage at no cost. Upgrading to the Premier plan, which covers more, is optional. If you want Premier coverage, you must enroll within 60 days of hire or wait until the next Open Enrollment.
Learn more: Vision benefits page
Employee Assistance Program (Whole You)
Confidential, no-cost support for mental health and everyday life challenges, powered by Spring Health. Available to you and your eligible dependents. No enrollment needed, use it anytime.
Learn more: Employee Assistance Program page
Employee Wellness Program (Live Well)
Free, on-demand resources designed to help you thrive at work and at home. Available to you and your eligible dependents. No enrollment needed, use it anytime.
Learn more: Employee Wellness Program page
Need Help?
Questions about your eligibility or enrollment? Contact your departmental personnel office.
More Resources
- Visit the Benefits Orientation page to find more information about other employee benefits like sick leave, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and more.
- Check out our New Employee Benefits Orientation Forms page for copies of forms you may need to fill out as a new hire.
Subscribe Here for
Benefits Updates
Subscribe to the CalHR Benefits Division website for updates regarding
upcoming events and Open Enrollment information
