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California State University, Fullerton has an outstanding package of benefits available to full-time employees. Eligibility for those employees appointed less than full-time depends on the length and timebase of the appointment. The provisions of collective bargaining agreements may modify benefits. Human Resource Services provides benefits packets that contain information regarding all employee benefits. This packet is given to new employees at the time of sign-in or can be requested by contacting Human Resource Services at (714) 278-2425.

The medical, dental, and insurance plans are among the most valuable benefits that result from employment with CSUF. A wide variety of plans are available to eligible employees (staff appointed halftime or more for a period of more than six months). The employee determines which plans best meet his/her needs.

The premiums for the plans vary; however, the State contributes a significant portion to the cost of the plans.

Death Benefit Insurance

This benefit is available to PERS members. This insurance provides your beneficiary with a lump-sum payment as well as additional benefits that will vary depending on the member’s eligibility for retirement at the time of death.

Disability

Long-Term Disability Insurance
This insurance is employer-paid and covers eligible employees in the event of a long-term disability.
This insurance plan is paid by the university. It provides income for eligible employees who have lost wages because they are unable to work due to a non-industrial/non-work injury or illness. This program should not be confused with the Workers’ Compensation or Industrial Disability Leave coverage for work-related injuries. The State Employment Development Department authorizes NDI benefits. Employees desiring NDI must complete a Formal Leave form and NDI questionnaire. Both forms are available in Payroll Services. For information regarding eligibility, waiting periods and use of leave credits, application forms and procedures, contact Payroll Services.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits/Industrial Disability Leave (IDL)

Workers’ compensation provides medical and disability benefits for employees who suffer an injury or illness arising out of and occurring within the course and scope of their employment with the university.  If the injured or ill employee is taken off work by a physician, the employee may be eligible to receive Temporary Disability or Industrial Disability Leave (IDL) benefits.
Any suspected work-related accident, injury, illnesses and/or near miss incident should be reported to an employee’s supervisor and to Risk Management as soon as possible after it happens.  In most circumstances, a report should be made within 24 hours of the injury or onset of the illness. 
Additional information regarding the workers’ compensation program, including reporting forms, are available by visiting the University Risk Management web site: or by calling University Risk Management at (714) 278-2824 or (714) 278-7346.  

Enrollment

Eligible employees have 60 calendar days following the date of appointment to enroll in health, vision, and dental benefit plans. Health coverage becomes effective the first of the month following the date of enrollment.

Subsequent Changes in Coverage
Should needs change after employees have made their initial benefits decision, they may change plans during the annual open enrollment. Any changes in coverage of dependents should be made immediately by filing the appropriate form(s) with Human Resource Services. Employees taking leaves of absence without pay must contact Human Resource Services to arrange for continuation of insurance plans through direct self-payment. Employees who have medical and dental plans in effect at the time of retirement may carry these benefits into retirement. Employees with special needs or concerns should direct their questions to Human Resource Services.

Health

Basic Health and Other Insurance Plans
Eligible employees may enroll in one of the multiple health plans. The university pays the major portion of the premiums for health insurance coverage.

FlexCash

Flex Cash is an optional benefit plan that allows eligible employees to waive CSU medical and/or dental insurance coverage in exchange for cash if they have other non-CSU coverage.

Group Dental Insurance

The premiums for this benefit are completely paid by the university. Two plans are available: An indemnity (fee for service) plan which allows individuals to select their own dentist; the other plan grants membership in a (pre-paid) group plan which requires the use of the group’s dentists and facilities.

Group Vision Insurance

The premiums for this benefit are completely paid by the university.

Tax Advantage Premium Plan(TAPP)

This program allows the employee to pay health plan premiums on a pre-tax basis.

Unemployment Insurance

This employer-paid program is designed to provide income assistance in the event of a job loss.

Voluntary Insurance Programs

The CSU has employee-paid insurance plans available for employees at group rates. These include life, automobile, accidental death, disability income, cancer, personal property, homeowners, and many others.

Dependent Care Reimbursement

Dependent care reimbursement allows employees to pay for necessary dependent care through pre-tax payroll deductions.

Health Care Reimbursement

This program allows employees to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health, dental, vision, prescription drug expenses with pre-tax payroll deductions.

Tax Sheltered Annuities (TSA) and Deferred Compensation Plans

CSUF offers eligible employees the option to participate in tax sheltered annuities (403b) and state deferred compensation plans (457 and 401k). Through these plans, employees may shelter a portion of their income from tax liability.

Normally, the following will be deducted from the warrants of qualifying employees: Federal Income Tax; State Income Tax; membership in Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); Social Security; Medicare; agency fees; and Fair Share Fee. Additional information is available on the Payroll Services web site or by calling (714) 278-2521.

Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)

Eligible employees automatically become members of the PERS retirement system. Each month, a portion of the earnings of eligible employees is withheld for contribution to retirement accounts. The State makes an employer contribution to PERS. The amount is determined each fiscal year. Vesting occurs after five years of full-time equivalent service. Vested members may retire after reaching age 50. Those retiring through PERS may retain group health and dental insurance. Eligible employees who become disabled may elect to apply for disability retirement.

Social Security

Eligible employees are covered under Social Security. The university and the employee both contribute into the employee’s account.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Employees Retirement Program

Employees who are excluded from CALPERS membership because they do not meet eligibility requirements (i.e., work less than one half-time, are seasonal or employed on an intermittent or temporary basis) are required to participate in the PST Program.

More information can be found in the guide to PST Facts (PDF Document)

Under the CSU’s Staff Fee Waiver program, State University Fees may be fully waived for a maximum of two (2) courses or six (6) units, whichever is greater, per term, for eligible employees. Depending on the eligible employee’s Collective Bargaining unit, additional fees may be waived or reduced. The Fee Waiver benefit may be used at CSUF or, with appropriate coordination and approval, at other CSU campuses.

The Staff Fee Waiver for Dependents program allows eligible staff employees to transfer their fee waiver benefit to eligible dependents. Eligibility of an employee’s dependents is based upon the staff employee’s Collective Bargaining unit. Additional information about both programs is available through Human Resource Services at (714) 278-2425.

US Savings Bonds may be purchased through payroll deduction starting with a face value of at least $100. Contact Payroll Services for more information.

This program is available to employees who wish to authorize a voluntary payroll deduction for payment of child and/or spousal support. Additional information is available on the Payroll Services web site or by calling (714) 278-2521.

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