FAQ's
- Why haven’t I received my insurance cards?
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CalPERS: You should contact CalPERS to confirm your mailing address is correct 1-888-225-7377.
OE3: You should contact Michael McCall, Director of Benefits 1-510-484-1980.
You can create/register an account with health agencies to receive digital copies.
- How long does it take to receive my insurance cards?
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CalPERS: You should receive cards prior to the effective date of the health coverage.
OE3: There is a 2 to 4-week delay due to billing cycle and payment processing.
- Why is the insurance company saying I’m not active?
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CalPERS: You should contact Human Resources and ask for the Payroll Specialist 1-530-283-6444.
OE3: There could be a delay due to the billing cycle, contact Michael McCall, Director of Benefits 1-510-484-1980.
- When is my insurance effective?
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CalPERS: The month following your first fully paid monthly premium.
OE3: Members must pay two full months' premium in advance before it is effective.
- What is the 125 Cafeteria Plan and when can I change it?
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If you elect to participate in the Plan, your cost of health insurance will be taken out of your paycheck first and then the remainder of your check will be taxed.
Essentially, this gives you a small tax break, but note that it will affect the amount you contribute to Social Security.
If you elect not to participate in the Plan, your entire check will be taxed including your cost of health insurance.
We are required to complete a new form every year for as long as we are employees of the County.
- When can I opt-in and opt-out of insurance?
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Opt in: If you are a new hire, or have a qualifying event (marriage, divorce, birth, death, etc.) you can opt in. Proof will be required.
Opt Out: To opt out, employees must show proof of insurance coverage. Each year you must recertify with proof of coverage. Employees cannot have coverage through Covered California.
- When is open enrollment for insurance?
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CalPERS: Open enrollment is from mid-September to mid-October of each calendar year.
OE3: There is no formal open enrollment with OE3. To make any changes you must be on your current health plan for a minimum of 12 months.
- What are these deductions coming out of my paycheck?
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Non-Safety Employees: CalPERS, SDI, Federal and State tax, Social Security, Medicare, health premium (if opting in), direct deposit, association dues (PCEA, PCMC, Union), voluntary supplemental insurances, voluntary retirement plans are examples of deductions you'll see on your pay stub.
Safety Employees: Same as above expect no Social Security or SDI is taken out.
- What do the abbreviated deductions stand for?
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- How do I fill out my timecard when I have sick/vacation/comp time?
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You should contact your supervisor or the Department Head for guidance.
- How do I use my floating holiday?
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You must request time off from your supervisor or the Department Head, and indicate you are using your the floating holiday.
Floating holiday can only be used as a full 8-hour day. No partial hours are allowed unless you are scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week.
- Why was my vacation/comp time used when I didn’t put that down?
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You should contact your supervisor or the Department Head.
- Why did I only get 1 floating holiday?
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You should refer to your unit’s MOU or Union Steward (OE3).
- How do I add or change my direct deposit?
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To add or make a change to your direct deposit, you must complete and submit a new direct deposit form to Human Resources.
If adding a new account, you must also provide a voided check or other document with proof of account and routing number from your financial institution.
- What is the cutoff for any payroll changes?
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For any payroll changes to be processed on time relevant documents are due to Human Resources by noon on the Tuesdays before payday.
- What do I need to do to go on leave?
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You should contact Human Resources for any inquires.
- How do I get donation of leave?
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Employees must be signed up for or already on disability. Employees must request a donation of leave hours from their Department Head. The Department Head must request in writing for Human Resources to send out a request for donated time.
- What do I need to do to come back to work from leave?
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Employees will need to provide a doctor’s note to return back to work. Employees must submit the letter to the Department Head and Human Resources. The doctor’s note should include any restrictions or limitations the employee may have in order to return to work.
- What is FMLA/ SDI/ PDL/ PFL?
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FMLA: The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year. It also requires that their group health benefits be maintained during the leave.
SDI: The California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program provides short-term Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need time off work due to their own or a family member’s illness or injury.
PDL: Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is a California state law that provides eligible employees with unpaid, job-protected leave in the event of a pregnancy, childbirth, loss of pregnancy, and/or pregnancy-related physical and mental conditions.
PFL: Paid Family Leave (PFL) provides up to 8 weeks of wage replacement benefits, within 12 months of the child’s birth, to take time off work to bond with your newborn.
- Where can I get the application packets for FMLA or SDI?
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FMLA: You should contact Human Resources for the certification forms.
SDI: Apply online through the Employment Development Department (EDD) or contact Human Resources.
PDL & PFL: Apply online through the Employment Development Department (EDD).
- How can I change my tax filing status?
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To change your tax status, please submit a new W-4 and/or DE 4 to Human Resources.
- Why is there a little amount/ a lot of taxes being taken out?
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Your taxes are based off your W-4/DE 4 filing status.
Federal income tax withholding is driven by the amount of allowances in dollars you claim on Form W-4. Each increment you claim lowers your taxable wages. If you claim too many allowances, an insufficient amount of taxes will be withheld from your pay, and you may end up owing taxes when you file your income tax return.
- How can I find help with filling out my W-4?
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You should contact a tax consultant or family/friend who can help you with your personal financial situation.
Federal Taxes: Refer to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for a tax calculator.
State Taxes: Contact Franchise Tax Board.
- When can I retire?
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CalPERS Retirement: CLASSIC member – 2.0% @ 55; PEPRA member – 2.0% @ 62. Reciprocity from a qualified Public Retirement System available upon meeting specific requirements.
- What gets paid out for my final check when I retire?
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Vacation, Comp time, and Deferred Holiday (Sheriff only).
Sick pay can either be converted to be used towards continued health insurance after retirement or cashed out.
Cash out of sick pay: Continuous service of 10 years = 35%, 15 years = 40%, & 20 years of continuous service is 50% of total sick leave value.
- What do I need to do to retire?
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You should contact CalPERS to make an appointment to determine retirement pay.
You should also contact Human Resources to make an appointment to discuss your specific options.
- How do I set up a CalPERS account?
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To register for an account, open myCalPERS then select member registration and follow the steps. Once you’ve logged in to your account, you’ll notice the Home, Retirement, Health, and Education tabs. Each tab has different features and actions you can take.
While in your myCalPERS account, you can:
Designate your beneficiaries
Send a secure and confidential message
Download publications
Visit Using myCalPERS to learn how to register, recover your username and password, and find your CalPERS ID.