• Cafeteria Benefits Plan
• Holidays
• Savings Plan
• Retirement

All employees are required to maintain a minimal level of health (unless covered by another plan) and life insurance coverages under the Flexible Benefits Plan. Other available options may vary from year to year.

The dollar amount allocated for these plans each benefit year is subject to the Meet and Confer Process between the City and Employee Groups.

Benefits are generally selected in May and/or June of each year and coverage begins in July and/or August. New and rehired employees select benefits within two weeks of employment.

• Eligibility

  For salaried employees serving in permanent or limited half time, three quarter time or full time status. Hourly employees are not eligible.

  Management employees and employees in classifications specifically designated by the City Council are offered an additional allotment which is added to the negotiated dollar amount. This is called Management Benefits. Employees eligible for the Management Benefits are not eligible for overtime compensation in any form.

• Options

  Employee Health Insurance (several policies available)
  Employee Life Insurance (several policies available)
  Dependent Health Insurance
  Vision and/or Dental Plans
  401K Plan (Tax Deferral)
  Dependent Care Reimbursement
  Dental/Medical/Vision Reimbursement
  Cancer/Catastrophic Illness Protection Plans
  Cash Payment (Taxable)

HOLIDAYS
The City of San Diego observes ten holidays each year. Eligible full time employees also accrue eight hours of holiday credit each July 1st; known as the "floating holiday". This must be used in a single absence.

SAVINGS PLAN

• Mandatory Savings Plans
  The Supplemental Pension Savings Plans (SPSP and SPSP-M) were established when the City withdrew from the Social Security System. SPSP and SPSP-M provide a convenient way for eligible employees to add to their savings for retirement income which will be independent of, and in addition to, City Employees' Retirement System (CERS) benefits. Police and Fire classifications are not eligible for SPSP. Hourly employees, not members of CERS, participate in SPSP-H.

  City matches 100% of Employees' contributions. Under the SPSP and SPSP-M plans, the employee vests (entitled to) 20% of the City's match each year until 100% vested. Both the employee and City contributions can be invested in various investment options offered. Each participant chooses how their monies are invested.

• Optional Savings Plans
  Two optional savings plans, 401(k) and Deferred Compensation, allow employees to place a portion of salary into a special savings account, where it and the interest it earns are not subject to income taxation until they are actually paid out to the employee. The employee directs how these monies are invested.

For more detailed information on SPSP and 401(k), employees may refer to the information packet or call the Participant Services Line at 1-800-626-6504. For detailed information on Deferred Compensation, call the Employee Savings Plans Office at 236-6600.

RETIREMENT
The following describes the City Employees' Retirement System (CERS) as it exists effective July 1, 1990. As a result of meet and confer negotiations, additional changes may go into effect at some future date and will be publicized at that time.

• Enrollment
  All classified "General Member" City employees working half time or more, are required to join the San Diego City Employees' Retirement System (SDCERS) immediately upon employment with the City. All classified "Police Safety" employees working half time or more, are required to join SDCERS immediately upon becoming sworn officers. All classified "Fire and Lifegaurd Safety" employees working half time or more, are required to join SDCERS immediately upon employment with the City. All salaried employees working at least half time in the "Unclassified Service", hired after August 11, 1993, are required to join SDCERS immediately upon employment with the City.

• Elimination of 1981 Pension Plan
  All General Members who were previously in or eligible only for the 1981 Pension Plan will be provided the same level of benefits currently provided to members of the old retirement plan, except as to disability and medical benefits.

• Contribution
  General Members and Safety Members enrolled in the City Employees' Retirement System contribute a percentage of salary determined by age at enrollment. Contribution rates for employees who were previously in the 1981 Pension Plan were set according to the member's age at entry into the 1981 Plan.

• High One-Year Basis for Final Compensation
  Retirement benefits for General Members and Safety Members are based upon the "highest one-year" annual compensation.

• Disability Retirement
  General Members and Safety Members enrolled in the City Employees' Retirement System are eligible to file either an industrial or non-industrial disability retirement application. Non-industrial disability applications are required to have at least ten years of creditable service. The processing of retirement applications can be lengthy, especially in disability cases, and advance planning is advantageous to the employee.

• Service Retirement
  Requirements for a service retirement for General Members are age 55 with 20 years of creditable service or age 62 with 10 years of creditable service. Requirements for a service retirement for Safety Members are age 50 with 20 years of creditable service or age 55 with 10 years of creditable service. There is currently no mandatory age for retirement. Application for service retirement should be made through the Retirement Office by calling (619) 525-3600, at least six to eight weeks prior to the anticipated date, to schedule an appointment to complete all necessary paperwork.