Employee Benefits

Health Care | Retirement Benefits | More Benefits

Who is the single most important person in your life? We think you are.

That is why the Department of Mental Health cares about the health and welfare of its employees.

To better help you care for yourself and your family, we offer a variety of health care, retirement, and other benefits. Actually, the benefits offered by the State make up approximately 32% of your total compensation. Here’s what we’ll offer you.

(Benefit programs are subject to collective bargaining and while some programs are available to all employees, others are limited to employees who are not represented by a union or for specific groups of rank-and-file employees based on the provisions of a labor contract.)

Health Care:

Dental Care

You and your eligible dependent(s) may be eligible for State-sponsored dental insurance available from one of several dental plans. Depending on the type of dental plan you select, the State will pay for all or part of your dental plan premium based on the number of enrolled dependents.

Vision Care

If you are eligible for the State's Vision Program, you may receive an eye examination, lenses and a frame once each 12 months.

Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage for State employees is administered by the Public Employee's Retirement System (CalPERS). A broad range of health insurance plans is available to covered employees, with the majority of the fees paid by the State employer.

Long Term Care Program

Employees, their spouses, parents, and parents-in-law can purchase insurance at very affordable rates to cover extended care due to a catastrophic accident or disability.

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Retirement Related Benefits:

Retirement System

The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) provides retirement benefits for eligible State of California employees. CalPERS offers several types of benefits. For specific information you may visit the CalPERS website.

Savings Plus Program

State of California employees have the option of choosing between two authorized plans (457 & 401K) to defer current income for use in retirement. Both plans allow selection from a wide range of investment options.

More Benefits:

We have more to offer eligible employees:

Paid Leave:

• Vacation or Annual Leave - vacation or annual leave is earned monthly
• Sick leave - compensates you during absences due to illness of yourself or family
• Holidays - receive pay for State-observed holidays and personal holidays
• Military Leave - employees may be paid for up to 30 calendar days
• Bereavement Leave - paid time off due to the death of a family member
• Jury Duty - generally, employees who remit fees received for jury duty receive no loss in pay for absences due to jury duty

Voluntary Programs:

• Long Term Disability - employee-paid insurance in the event you are unable to work for a specified period of time.
• FleXelect - reimbursement accounts to help pay for child care and out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Group Legal Services Plan - provides assistance with routine legal services

Other Programs:

• Employee Assistance Program - confidential counseling services for employees and family members
• Life Insurance (for eligible employees) - Group Term insurance available to employees
• Family Leave - unpaid leave may be granted in certain situations (e.g., birth or adoption of a child)
• License renewal reimbursement
• Shift differential for PM and Night shifts

For more information on eligibility or questions on specific benefits, you may contact the Metropolitan State Hospital Personnel Office at (562) 651-2268