Overview
UCSF offers an exceptional benefits program to help meet the diverse needs of our employees. Your benefits provide you with important financial protection when you need it the most.
Introduction to benefits
UC's high-quality, comprehensive benefits are among the rewards you receive for being a UCSF employee.
- For a full list of all the benefits available to Staff & Faculty, please see the Compensation & Benefits page on UCNet.
- Additional helpful information can be found on the UCSF Benefits page.
In addition to salary, your appointment may also include a rich package of health, welfare and retirement benefits that adds to your total compensation.
UC offers three benefits packages — Full, Mid-level and Core. Your eligibility for a particular package depends on the type of job you have, the percentage of time you work, and the length of your appointment. Please refer to your offer letter to understand the benefits package available to you.
For more information about what is included in your benefits package, visit the UCSF Benefits Eligibility resource page as well as the UCNet Benefits Eligibility resource page.
Information about benefit contribution rates is available on the UCNet Employee Medical Plan Costs page.
If you’re not eligible for UC benefits, the health insurance marketplace is a great way for you to purchase medical coverage. For more information, please review the UCNet article on Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options Outside of UC.
Postdoctoral scholars have a separate benefits plan; find details here.
Residents and clinical fellows also have a separate benefits plan; find details here.
As you prepare to enroll in UC benefits, please review the Benefits Welcome Kit and attend a UCPath New Employee Benefits Webinar.
Postdoctoral Scholar benefits overview is offered twice a month by UCSF Benefits.
If after attending a webinar you are unsure about what medical plan to choose, you have help!
- The Health Care Facilitator Program offers an individual consultation for selecting a medical plan. Visit the site to schedule a consultation.
- ALEX is a confidential online tool that helps you select the best benefits for you and your family. Tell ALEX a little about yourself and get personalized guidance for making the most of your UC benefits.
- Employees may contact the UCSF Benefits office at 415-353-4545 or email [email protected] for questions.
You have a 31-day period of initial eligibility (PIE) to enroll in certain benefits.
Please review these enrollment steps as well as the Enroll in Benefits information for step-by-step instructions on how to enroll in benefits via UCPath. If you need additional assistance, contact the UCPath Center at 855-982-7284.
If you are enrolling in a UC-sponsored health plan in the Bay Area, UCSF employees can join One Medical at no additional cost.
Note: Certain benefits, such as voluntary short- & long-term disability and supplemental life insurance, are not available during annual open enrollment. Carefully consider enrollment in these plans during your current PIE. Enrolling in the disability plans at a future date outside of your PIE will require approval directly from the plan carrier by submitting an Evidence of Insurability application.
Residents and clinical fellows benefits are administered through PlanSource.
UC Retirement Plan
- If your offer letter states that you are covered by PPSM or Teamsters Local 2010 - CX and are eligible for full benefits, make your retirement choice selection within 90 days of your start date.
- If your offer letter states that you are covered by any other bargaining unit and are eligible for full benefits, you are automatically enrolled in the 2013 Tier of the pension plan upon date of hire. Please see Benefits Welcome Kit for Represented Employees for further details.
- If your offer letter states that you are eligible for mid-level, core or no benefits, you are not eligible for a primary retirement program. UC offers Safe Harbor, a Defined Contribution Plan, which requires your participation.
- To elect your beneficiaries for all primary retirement plans, go to UCRAYS. Access to UCRAYS may take 2-3 weeks from your date of hire.
- If you're a member of both the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), you may become vested sooner or be able to retire with a higher benefit than if you were a member of just one plan. This is referred to as reciprocity.
- To take advantage of these benefits, you'll need to establish reciprocity between the two plans.
- Please review the Reciprocity Fact Sheet to see how reciprocity works, who is eligible, and how to establish it. You may also reach out to CalPERS (1-888-CALPERS).
Voluntary UC Retirement Savings Program
- The Voluntary UC Retirement Savings Program offers several convenient, tax-advantaged ways to save for retirement.
- Attend a live voluntary savings plan webinar with Fidelity to learn more and get answers to your retirement questions.
Commuter benefits can add up to some serious tax savings. Commuter benefits allow UCSF employees to set aside tax-free money to pay for eligible commuting expenses like public transit and parking. Check out the Commuter Benefit Resource Guide to learn more.
Visit the Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits website for more information.